When shooting Act Of Valor, I designed a helmet camera mount for the Canon 5D Mark II with Gary Hatfied and Dan Owens from Panavision to capture the first-person point-of-view action in a new way.
The camera is extremely versatile with the carbon fiber helmet designed by Troy Lee because it can be mounted on top, in front, and from the left and right sides. It has V-Block technology, night scope adaptability and wireless follow focus.
Helmet Cam
We have used it successfully to fast rope out of helicopters for a project about the undercover operations of the Navy Seals produced by Bandito Brothers, Legendary Pictures, and Warner Brothers.
Learn more about the Helmet Cam:
Helmet Camera Design
The main purpose of the design for this project was to roll out with a Navy Seal. We needed to feel like we were one of them on a mission. You see them grabbing guns, holding them up in front of the lens, and moving with their movements.
If another Seal comes up next to the bad guy with the helmet camera on, the camera rack focuses to his face. You get more of a cinematic feel from this particular helmet camera than one with a huge depth of field. We want to be the Seal, not treat it like it is a helmet camera broadcasting back to base.
If a tool doesn’t exist, create your own!
What can you design? How can you take the creative ideas in your head and work with your team to turn your vision into a reality?
Have fun with the creative process and you will be amazed at the results of the final product!
For more on how the helmet camera has helped convey
We recommend checking out this article for more on how helmet cameras convey visceral, intimate, and emotional connections with your characters.
Filmmakers Academy Cinematography Courses
- Script To Screen: A Cinematographer’s Guidebook
- How To Be a MōVI Gimbal Tech
- Camera Blocking and Composition
