Video/film relies on movement to make it interesting. That movement can be provided by the subject or it can be by moving the camera itself. Now big budget productions will use all sorts of clever and expensive gizmos to achieve this, but for the budget conscious amateur what can you do. Well you can use your tripod and using panning, but you can only do that so many times before it looks old. You can I suppose use a zoom lens and zoom in and out. Now some people do this, but most people in the “know” regard it as offence worthy of crucifixion if you ask about it on and forum dedicated to film making. But one of the easiest and most effective ways to bring movement is a slider. Prices can go from a few thousand for motorised versions to around one hundred bucks. Or you can go for the cheap skate route and make one in your shed for a few dollars and there are plenty of tutorials on You Tube showing you how. As I was playing truant when the handyman gene was dished out and I am fiscally challenged I looked at the budget end of the market and settled on the catchily named Kamerar S-23 Video Camera Slider.

In summary, for the money it is an absolute bargain and PNC are selling them for $130 USD from their website. I got my copy from Photo-Shop-Studio here in Australia for the amazing price of $120 AUD.

* Apologies to the late great Stevie Ray Vaughn. Slide Thing is a track on the debut album In The Beginning which was recorded live in 1980.