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5. 🤯 Surprise. TMZ on TV, as sensationalistic as it is, definitely does one thing really well: breaks stories first. TMZ employs a veritable army of independent
camera people who get paid to haunt well-known celeb hangouts and buzz outside stars’ mansions hoping for a glimpse of something tabloid-worthy. Naturally, if camera people went running up to celebs with a heavy and cumbersome tripod and head assembly, they’d probably end up with little more than a shot of celebs outrunning them. Thus, hand-held camera serves as makeshift stealth mode for video paparazzi in search of their next rent checks.
6. ⏳ Time. One of the biggest motivators to leave the tripod at home is speed. Traditionally, hand-held camera is much quicker to setup, as there is no
need for time-consuming duties such as leveling the fluid head or making sure sticks are placed on the proper mark. A supreme benefit of a hand-held camera is that it is in a constant state of adjustment, so even if your operator misses the framing you wanted for a second or two, a quick turn of his waist can make it better in no time. Indie productions employing hand-held camera also benefit from fleeter travel time between company moves thanks to less equipment to pack up and unload. Hand-held camerawork is a great option for filmmakers looking to cut costs, reduce set up time, lessen equipment, and create an authentic, intense atmosphere.
Rory Walsh is an independent writer/director based in Los Angeles. https://static.videomaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11HandHeldEnews.jpg