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RedZephyrCam
by David Hakim
Paul Kalbach , inventor of RedZephyrCam
Photo: Holly Kreuter
Paul Kalbach wants to change the way movies are shot. He's no a zealot - no fiery-eyed evangelist here - but he has a remarkable idea, and he's manifested that idea in a striking reality that he calls the RedZephyrCam.
Kalbach, a local director/DP and Steadicam operator, has taken the new darling of the 'visual data acquisition' technology and spliced it to a 30-year-old innovation, then mounted it on an updated version of an innovation that's only a half-decade old. Of course, with today's technologies, five years can be several generations.
Still, Kalbach's RedZephyrCam should be raising some eyebrows, even if only to express 'Why didn't I think of that.' The promo material for his device is enticing in its own way: "Imagine a RED One Digital Cinema Camera at 4K resolution, perhaps floating in a slow subtle crawl, turning on a dime for a 360¼ extreme close-up of something, then booms up and takes off, perhaps tracking someone running, then slowing down while making a gentle turn, and finally coming to rest on a close-up of..."
And there Kalbach leaves things to your own imagination - because by not supplying the picture of what you'd be shooting, he leaves you with the picture of the RedZephyrCam firmly in your mind. Well, almost the picture, since at this point he hasn't actually told you what he's describing: a RED One Camera, mounted on a Steadicam rig, that is in turn firmly mounted on a HandsFree Transporter. What's a HandsFree Transporter? Kalbach is so glad you asked. Developed by HandsFree Transporter in Germany, so far, its a very rare contraption, but odds are that we'll be seeing more of it in the future: a modified Segway steered by pedals, allowing the operator freedom to run the camera while literally driving with his feet. The Segway itself supports the Steadicam (via a hardmount that takes its weight), allowing Kalbach to concentrate on the shot.
So the shooter becomes the dolly operator, except that this self-contained 'dolly' doesn't need tracks (not sure what The Brothers are going to say about this - but Local 600 is IA, after all). A well-planned shot (and it will have to be well planned to avoid accidents, since the rig is pretty pricey) can start out steady as a set of sticks, then do all the acrobatics Kalbach describes above (and more), including chasing, swooping, and full-circle pans.
Not affiliated with RED Digital Cinema, RedZephyrCam has all the earmarks of the way of the future. Aside from clearly being a visionary, Kalbach is an editor, artist, composer, and the owner of Oakland's Artichoke Productions. He also has a mini-soundstage, both high-def and traditional film editing suites (with Steenbecks and Moviolas), V/O-ADR facilities, an 'AudioRoom' with custom-built Buchla and WaveMaker analog modular synthesizers, and shooting equipment to rent, including a snorkel-crane.
For those who, for various reasons, don't want to use the RED on the RedZephyrCam, Kalbach will mount and shoot with any film or video camera package, up to 26 pounds. Check it out at http://www.redzephyrcam.com or by calling 510.655.1283.
Posted on Dec 04, 2008 - 02:00 AM
by David Hakim
Paul Kalbach , inventor of RedZephyrCam
Photo: Holly Kreuter
Kalbach, a local director/DP and Steadicam operator, has taken the new darling of the 'visual data acquisition' technology and spliced it to a 30-year-old innovation, then mounted it on an updated version of an innovation that's only a half-decade old. Of course, with today's technologies, five years can be several generations.
Still, Kalbach's RedZephyrCam should be raising some eyebrows, even if only to express 'Why didn't I think of that.' The promo material for his device is enticing in its own way: "Imagine a RED One Digital Cinema Camera at 4K resolution, perhaps floating in a slow subtle crawl, turning on a dime for a 360¼ extreme close-up of something, then booms up and takes off, perhaps tracking someone running, then slowing down while making a gentle turn, and finally coming to rest on a close-up of..."
And there Kalbach leaves things to your own imagination - because by not supplying the picture of what you'd be shooting, he leaves you with the picture of the RedZephyrCam firmly in your mind. Well, almost the picture, since at this point he hasn't actually told you what he's describing: a RED One Camera, mounted on a Steadicam rig, that is in turn firmly mounted on a HandsFree Transporter. What's a HandsFree Transporter? Kalbach is so glad you asked. Developed by HandsFree Transporter in Germany, so far, its a very rare contraption, but odds are that we'll be seeing more of it in the future: a modified Segway steered by pedals, allowing the operator freedom to run the camera while literally driving with his feet. The Segway itself supports the Steadicam (via a hardmount that takes its weight), allowing Kalbach to concentrate on the shot.
So the shooter becomes the dolly operator, except that this self-contained 'dolly' doesn't need tracks (not sure what The Brothers are going to say about this - but Local 600 is IA, after all). A well-planned shot (and it will have to be well planned to avoid accidents, since the rig is pretty pricey) can start out steady as a set of sticks, then do all the acrobatics Kalbach describes above (and more), including chasing, swooping, and full-circle pans.
Not affiliated with RED Digital Cinema, RedZephyrCam has all the earmarks of the way of the future. Aside from clearly being a visionary, Kalbach is an editor, artist, composer, and the owner of Oakland's Artichoke Productions. He also has a mini-soundstage, both high-def and traditional film editing suites (with Steenbecks and Moviolas), V/O-ADR facilities, an 'AudioRoom' with custom-built Buchla and WaveMaker analog modular synthesizers, and shooting equipment to rent, including a snorkel-crane.
For those who, for various reasons, don't want to use the RED on the RedZephyrCam, Kalbach will mount and shoot with any film or video camera package, up to 26 pounds. Check it out at http://www.redzephyrcam.com or by calling 510.655.1283.
Posted on Dec 04, 2008 - 02:00 AM
