DIY Dolly and Track

Several of our films have required a tracking shot – where the camera moves along with, or past, a subject. Commercial systems were a little outside our price range, so we decided to make our own.

The kit consists of:

The base of Dolly is 4 x 2 ft 4 ply with a centre (hinged) for storage and space).

The plumbers plastic tube is approx 40 mm diameter and is joined together with small inserts.

The roller skate wheels are bolted to a frame beneath 4 ply boards and the handles are from lawn mowers adapted to base.

The 3  armchair cups are fixed to base to allow tripod to be secured and kept in place with rubber hooks.

The completed system allows long tracking shots without any jolts or unwanted movement and cost approx £30 for materials.

It is a very cheap tracking device which can be pulled along forward or backwards with adjustable handles and is strong enough to stand on if required.

The whole unit folds up for easy storage and transporting to and from venues.

The most important aspect is that no matter how many bumps on grass or road surface, it runs very smoothly.

Tony

On behalf of Valley Films