GET A PRACTICE KIT

Dollies and cranes you can buy or build to use for practice or production!

It takes time to become really good at directing with dolly and crane, and a high-pressure set is not a good place to practice. It is strongly suggested that you get your own dolly and crane, and practice with willing actors or mannequins. It doesn't matter that the lighting is terrible or that it's shot on DV, the important thing is to train blocking technique in a real-life environment with real-life variables, without any pressure.

Some of the products listed below provide a limited version of the functionality found on higher-end dollies and cranes, and are very cheap. The skateboard dollies usually require walking next to them, and the jibs/cranes often can't pan, but can be mounted on a dolly. Other dollies and cranes are feature-grade. As a practice tool, their value is enormous. Compared to other crew members, Directors often spend the least amount of days on the set, and have fewer opportunities to practice.

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