Building Stunt Rig?

My friends and I are making a fan film, but we're operating on a low budget. We decided to have a scene where a character runs up a tree and does a backflip. Is there a tutorial out there for building a stunt rig?

 

it really depends on how far the guy runs up the tree... for example, if its only three steps, you could have him actually do it. ive been working on it for a video that im making where i have to run up a wall and flip backwards over this guy who's 6'3, and ive found its not that hard. with practice it looks amazing.

 

We also were going to use the rig for a force push effect and some other cool special effects not released to the public yet.

 

I just like that people still think that "fanfilm" and "low budget" are words typically not assosciated with each other.

Chris

 

From my experiences building and working with my own rig, I have found that configuration of the rig you build depends on the shot and stunt you want to accomplish. You'll also find yourself very limited if you don't have acrobatic expertise at your disposal. Being flown on a wire rig does take skill. Lifting a flyer also requires skill and practice.

It would help to know exactly what kinds of stunts you want to pull off, what your experience is, and what your resources are.

-tm

EDIT: Some examples from my own rig can be found here.

 

Thanks, tumblemonster. The people in the stunts have some martial arts experience. The person doing the lifting is an eagle scout who has experience. We're actually borrowing his harness. Basically, right now we want to have someone run up a tall tree and do a backflip, simulate a force push, and do a lightsaber fight scene IN the trees. I've seen the examples given but what I'm really interested in how the part above the triangle is constructed.

 

(Im the other one that cmdrkettch is talkin bout)

As for the scene, were pretty running up a tree, about... 20ft?

As for the harnesses, these are actually climbing harnesses.

As for experience, we know martial arts. As for the lines, my friend (eagle scout) is actually going to do some belaying, so we have some controlled descents, incase something happens. [and yes, just so no one bugs me, he WILL be anchored...]

 

I just wanted to come in real quick and say how bad*** that is Tumblemonster! I'm impressed, really awsome stuff!

Shadow...

 

As for the scene, were pretty running up a tree, about... 20ft?

As for the harnesses, these are actually climbing harnesses.

As for experience, we know martial arts. As for the lines, my friend (eagle scout) is actually going to do some belaying, so we have some controlled descents, incase something happens. [and yes, just so no one bugs me, he WILL be anchored...]

Aaaaaaand we stop. You guys are going to get hurt, almost certainly. Climbing harnesses are designed for fall arrest, not suspension, and are only safely used when lines are attached to the front pick points. You cannot do a backflip in a climbing harness for two reasons: Firstly, you cannot safely attach lines to the hip positions of the harness, and you need two lines to flip upside down; Second, if you do manage to get hip lines attached, you'll very likely get upside down and fall out.

You sound like you have some neat ideas. Something like Crouching Tiger in the tress with lightsabers. Those guys had a bunch of cranes to get their actors up that high. I recommend rethinking this particular idea. It's cool, but you may have to accept that you don't have the means or the expertise to pull it off.

-tm

 

Well, wont a locking carabiner on the belt between the segmented sections work to hold the lines in place? And wont I not fall out if i secure the harness tight enough?

(Thanks on bringing this up, i might of never thought of this)

 

They might hold the lines in place, but climbing harnesses are not designed be picked on the sides. ("Pick points" are places on a harness that are designed to have lines, carabiners and such attached to them. They are usually double or triple sewn with bar tacks, and have heavy nylon webbing and/or metal loops for attaching lines).

As far as going upside down you might be just fine. On the other hand, you might fall right out no matter how tight it is, land straight on your head, and die. If you are going to go upside down, purchase a harness designed to allow you to hang safely inverted. This full body harness is an excellent and affordable choice. If you watched the videos I posted, you might notice this is the harness I am using.

Still, even with the best equipment, I still recommend no trying what you're planning on trying. It does take skill and training.

-tm

 

take it slow to start out. train with it, and get tips from real stuntmen. DON'T use a climbing harness, for god's sake, that's an idiotic idea. I'd reccomend faking it. take tree branches, cut em off, and do it in a greenscreen area. then you can do most of the effects from about 2 feet off the ground, and if you fall it won't hurt. bad for trees though. also harder post production.

 

how bout two ropes hanging down from the tree and he craps them and flips himself with them...

kinda like Neo from the Matrix in the subway scene. Neo is obviously flipping himself by holding two wires of some sort.

What kind of harness is he using in that?

 

whats a rig? or a stunt rig?

C.J