Steadicam : Techniques and aesthetics

Rating:
Summary: Long time coming, but not as good as I'd hoped.
Review: It is surprising that no-one had published a book on the Steadicam before now. Even this one has been a long time coming. Italian author Serena Ferrara originally published this in 1997, and it was finally released this year in an English version. A Doctorate in "History & Cinema" and her curiosity about the Steadicam led her to write a thesis on the subject, which later became this book.

After a brief but well written overview of the history, types and function of camera movement, the book does an excellent job documenting the invention of the Steadicam … the evolution from first prototype to current models is shown in detail. This first section of the book covers basic principles of how the thing works, how it can be used together with it’s limitations, and gives early examples from films such as "Rocky" and "Marathon Man". The Steadicam didn’t really come of age until it was embraced by Stanley Kubrick on "The Shining" which is discussed at length.

The second section is called "Semiotics and Narrative" and leads into chapters such as "The Gaze of the Narrative Voice". Overall, there is a tendency to intellectualise, and this section in particular was a bit too bookish for me. However, many references to sources of information are given, along with an extensive bibliography, so perhaps this style can be forgiven.

The third section holds a series of interviews which is perhaps the most valuable contribution of the book. Inventor and master operator Garrett Brown naturally features, along with an excellent discussion by Larry McConkey on his extended shots in "Goodfellas" and "Bonfire of the Vanities" and with DP’s Haskell Wexler and Vittorio Storaro among others.

The book however, is limited by it’s concentration of the evolution of the Steadicam as a brand. From 1993, Garrett Brown’s original patents started to expire, allowing competitive manufacturers into the field. The most prominent of these, the PRO, is given scant recognition, others none at all, while the Panaglide ...is perhaps given more than it deserves. Important equipment such as remote lens controllers, gyro’s and antlers hardly rate a mention. Even Cinema Products’ own innovative "iso-elastic" arm is given little attention. The fact that CP went belly-up last year and the Steadicam product was acquired by Tiffen, is a glaring omission in itself.

Other grumbles? Not enough photo’s of the thing in action was a big disappointment, and many that do appear are 10-15 years out of date. The Techniques and Uses section of the book could also be much stronger ....

For those with no working knowledge or experience with a Steadicam, for students of film or for those intrigued and want to know more about Steadicam and camera work in general, this book really can’t be overlooked. It is an important addition to the recent record of cinematography, and adds some valuable insights into the Steadicam’s usefulness as a tool.