FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Steadicam  History and Use
Quiz about Steadicam  History and Use

Steadicam - History and Use Trivia Quiz


The Steadicam is a relatively new camera, invented in the early 1980s. It gives a sort of gliding look to the frame. This quiz is on the history and use of that camera. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by rj211. Estimated time: 4 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Movie Trivia
  6. »
  7. Movie Mixture
  8. »
  9. Film: Industry and Craft

Author
rj211
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
80,096
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
5
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
3 / 5
Plays
589
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 5
1. Who invented the Steadicam? Hint


Question 2 of 5
2. How does an operator hold a soft-mounted Steadicam? Hint


Question 3 of 5
3. 'Missionary' and 'Don Juan' are the two major operating positions for the Steadicam. What is true of the Don Juan position? Hint


Question 4 of 5
4. Which of these films was the first to use Steadicam technology? Hint


Question 5 of 5
5. Which of these scenes is NOT shot using a Steadicam? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Who invented the Steadicam?

Answer: Garrett Brown

Though these are all highly regarded Steadicam operators, Garrett is the guy who thought the thing up.
2. How does an operator hold a soft-mounted Steadicam?

Answer: The Steadicam is harnessed to a vest worn by the operator.

The idea of the Steadicam is that the operator can wear it and hold it, without the operator's movements being caught in the film. The design of the Steadicam puts the camera's center of gravity in the control of the operator, allowing the shots to be smooth and floating regardless of the operator's movements. Operators can use a hard-mount, wherein the camera is attached to something other than their bodies (like a dolly, car, etc.).
3. 'Missionary' and 'Don Juan' are the two major operating positions for the Steadicam. What is true of the Don Juan position?

Answer: It has the camera pointing the opposite direction to the operator's facing.

Missionary, on the other hand, has the camera pointing roughly forward. These positions were named in 1980 with the invention of the Steadicam, and have retained the names since. I wonder what made the positions merit these somewhat unbelievable handles.
4. Which of these films was the first to use Steadicam technology?

Answer: Rocky

The scene where Rocky charges up the Philadelphia Art Museum steps in 'Rocky' is filmed using Steadicam. This camera made the shot possible because the camera operator was able to run up the steps to follow Rocky's movement without it jolting the camera around. Though not listed as a choice, 'Bound for Glory' was the first film to use a long steadicam tracking shot. 'Jaws' was made pre-Steadicam. 'The Abyss' and 'The Insider' both came later.
5. Which of these scenes is NOT shot using a Steadicam?

Answer: Neo on the roof dodging the bullets of one of the agents before Trinity learns to fly the helicopter in 'The Matrix'.

'The Shining' was one of the first films to use Steadicam, and is widely considered to be the first to use it extensively (almost the entire film is shot using Steadicam). 'The Silence of the Lambs' also made dynamic use of the Steadicam, and this particular scene, early in the film, allowed the viewer to feel as though he was just going along with Clarice.

The wandering camera was something that couldn't have been achieved without the Steadicam. The scene in 'Goodfellas' is a classic, partly because it's also a very long single take. You can notice, however, that the operator's movements (going down the stairs, stopping and starting) are nearly imperceptible in the film, though the shot still feels very free and mobile. I believe the scene in 'The Matrix' was filmed using cameras set up around all 360 degrees of the action and some sort of green screen technology to compile the shots digitally. 360 degree shots like this are often filmed using a Steadicam, though, because the operator is free to walk around the subject in a way no other camera would allow.
Source: Author rj211

This quiz was reviewed by our editing team before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
3/29/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us