Need help finding n camcorder mount to record VCU artist demonstrations.

[Procyon]

Hey everyone. We have a lot of great visiting artists and professors (who are professional illustrators themselves) that come to do lectures and demonstrations for VCU's Communication Arts (Illustration) department. It's great to see these demonstrations live, but it would be nice to record these demonstrations for people that could not make it and students that would like to further study the demonstration. Illustrator/professor Sterling Hundley is going to be doing a demonstration on Wed, Nov 28th and I am desperately looking for a camcorder mount that I can mount on a table. Just like the videos, the camcorder would be facing down at a table. Something like this Lightsmith Platform would be great: http://www.lightsmithimager.com/site/

Unfortunately, this basic platform (probably costs under $10 to make) goes for around $200, and I was really looking for something under $100. Maybe a cheap jib or a mount with a reticulating arm. I thought that someone on this site is bound to have a suggestion or two, especially since Massive Black is getting into demonstration videos themselves.

[mambo]

You could easily rig something up. The key is to make the camera stable and secure. You don't want it to come crashing down on top of your illustrator and you don't want it shaking with vibration if someone walks by the supports or walks into the room while filming. It also should be secure enough that a light accidental bump doesn't send it crashing down.

There are any number of ways you could do this. A super-clamp, video tripod and an auto-pole. All standard bits of kit in most photo studios. These days hand-held cams are light so it really shoulder be that hard to rig it up. Dare I say... duct tape? :D

Seriously though... put some thought into it. 2X4 shimmed floor to ceiling? Heavier gauge PVC piple shimmed floor to ceiling? Have a look around a hardware store. Talk to some people involved in theatre production. Maybe someone at a local university, school or theatre. It could also be easily rigged with a few bits of kit from a standard rock climbers rack.

You're going to want to consider what the floor is... carpet? hardwood? cement? And you're also going to want to consider what the ceiling is made out of... false ceiling? cement? Are there beams to attach stuff to/rig stuff off of? Post a bit more info or a foto and maybe I can help you more.

Have a look around the Manfrotto site.
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto

While the stuff might be out of your price range... it can give you some insight into how stuff is being rigged. Take the same principles and try to apply it to what you can get at your basic hardware store.

Also take a look here:
http://www.videoguys.com.au/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=1690
I've seen this rig used on a few sets. It works great and can be propped up anywhere. I recently saw one used on a shoot to get a DV cam overhead... it simply had the ring layed down flat across two ceiling girders. Worked a charm.

Here's an example of an extendable arm coming off a super-clamp and it has a standard camera mount on it (which most DV cams generally have as well).
http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?cat=DVPROD&subcat=VIDMON&prodclass=LCDMOUNTS&baseitem=VGRIP%2D1&search=0&off=0&showreturn=1

Again... something similar - the end with the knob fits into the socket on a super-clamp:
http://www.sensablethings.co.uk/resources/products/image1/001507/196.jpg

You could mount many of these or similar items directly off of a light stand or C-stand. The light stand or C-stand would be off to one side with the arm coming out and over the subject. You need to make sure to sandbag them so they remain stable and don't tip. But similar applications are done all the time in the studio. You might see if it's possible to beg, borrow or steel a boom arm with a counterweight from a local photo studio or video production house. You also might be able to rent them. It's common for movie production rental shops and pro photo gear shops to rent out bits of kit to pro's. Pay a deposit and rent it when you need it.

You could actually no doubt find a carpenter or framer to come in and build a simple wooden frame to fit over your area that holds the camera.

But really to help you I need more info on what the location is like. Primarily the floor and the ceiling. False ceiling panels can be easily removed (and put back) that usually reveal quite few things to rig off of. That is as long as whatever you're rigging doesn't get too heavy.

Give it some thought.