Learn how to build a Hollywood-level camera rig using a cheap gimbal paired with a shoulder mount, like Gareth Edwards did on The Creator.
The fact that the film The Creator was shot on a simple Sony FX3 camera is insane, and in order to keep the crew small and the camera packages light, the crew created a lightweight yet sturdy camera rig to allow them to shoot on location in Thailand over several weeks.
Sony FX3 used on location in Thailand.
"The Creator" Rig — Parts List
Here are all the parts necessary to build your own "The Creator" camera rig.
1. Gimbal Rig
First off, the gimbal used is the DJI RS3 mounted horizontally on a shoulder rig.
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| DJI RS3 | Main gimbal used to stabilize the rig |
| SmallRig 1681 | Cheese plate for mounting the gimbal horizontally |
| SmallRig 2837B Shoulder Pad Pro | Shoulder pad with VCT-14 quick release |
The cheese plate is mounted horizontally on 15mm rods or directly on the shoulder pad mount, and then the gimbal is mounted horizontally from the cheese plate, pointing forward.
2. Camera and Recording
When shooting The Creator, they didn't record using internal media, but instead used an external recorder with the ability to record ProRes RAW: the Atomos Ninja V. ProRes RAW features video footage with 12-bit raw color and allows for greater latitude and control in post production.
| Description | Product |
|---|---|
| Sony FX3 | Main camera |
| Atomos Ninja V | External RAW Recorder |
| SmallRig 2956 | HDMI Cable |
You can use any HDMI cable, but the SmallRig 2956 is a short and thin 4K cable, suitable for smaller rigs.
It's important to remember that when recording raw video, all in-camera post processing is turned off; noise reduction, lens corrections, lens breathing compensation, etc. This means you will have to do all of those actions in post instead.
The Atomos Ninja V in use on the set of The Creator.