User's Manual

Swinging
A Swing move is used to get a Panoramic shot, ideal for an
opening or title sequence. Also used to follow talent as they go
by. Swinging the BackPacker is very simple. Loosen the
Panning drag on your tripod, and then simply move the weight
bar left to right, or right to left.
Here are some swinging moves to practice:
Panoramic Swing Station Crane so that the arms are parallel to the ground
Swing right to left (or left to right). Initially point camera all the way to end of the image
Dogs point of view Boom the camera low. Tilt camera up. Now perform swing move
Periscope Boom the camera high. Tilt camera down, slowly swing crane
NOTE: Be careful of hitting the tripod with the weights or end of crane. Practice!!
Slider Move
Set camera out of frame to the left or right of the subject. Lock tripod head tilt, loosen pan.
Very slowly swing the crane bringing subject into frame and then continue until subject drops back out of frame. Slow and
steady. Practice this shot shooting names on signs.
Tilting: Dynamic Tilting
Tilting the camera relative to the Boom offers some interesting shots. Usually
used in combination with other moves, Tilting can also be
used on its own. Loosen the tilt drag on your tripod head.
To tilt the camera, hold the weight bar in one hand and tilt
the Pan/tilt handle on the tripod with the other hand. This
allows you to change the tilt without changing the boom.
Shoot from above Station the crane so that the
arms are parallel to the ground. While holding the weight
bar, push the pan/tilt handle up, this will tilt the camera down. This move
allows you to shoot something like a face, then Slowly tilt down, showing the
rest of the body
Tilt up from below Station the crane so that the camera is low to ground pointing forward. While holding the weight bar,
push the pan/tilt handle down. This will tilt the camera up. This move allows you to shoot
something like a shoe, then slowly tilt up, showing the rest of the body. Ideal for showing how big
something is, like a tree.
Tilting straight down Position crane about 45 degree angle. Point camera down. This allows you to get shots from above.
For example, looking in the moon roof of a car. Showing food or products from above shooting
straight down. This is one of the best methods to get the top down shot
of a wedding cake.
Tilting: Static Tilting Used to keep camera pointed at the subject (or in any angle), while
booming the crane. Lock down the Tilt Drag control by tightening down
the tilt drag control of the Tripod. Now Boom. While the drag is locked
down, the camera will stay pointed in the same direction, throughout the
arc of the Boom.
Practice makes perfect. Use a combination of these moves to create beautiful cinematic content of your own. Watch cool
movies and TV shows to see how some of the experts do these moves and then adjust to your liking.
Have fun – and be creative.