Anyone know of a golf cart used by film crews?

Question

If anyone knows a link to or just the technical name (thus something I can search for on Google) for the electric golf carts that film and TV crews use to film people walking, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking for one of those that has the three-camera set-up (cameraman on left to film subject on right, right camera on left person, and center camera both), the front-seat spot for the sound tech to manage the sound boom, and the driver. Anyone know who makes these carts?

Thanks in advance!
Scott

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]If anyone knows a link to or just the technical name (thus something I can search for on Google) for the electric golf carts that film and TV crews use to film people walking, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking for one of those that has the three-camera set-up (cameraman on left to film subject on right, right camera on left person, and center camera both), the front-seat spot for the sound tech to manage the sound boom, and the driver. Anyone know who makes these carts? Thanks in advance! Scott[/nq]
There was the very funny golfcart movie with Bill Murray and a gopher, I forget the name.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]If anyone knows a link to or just the technical name (thus something I can search for on Google) for ... front-seat spot for the sound tech to manage the sound boom, and the driver. Anyone know who makes these carts?[/nq]
In my experience, there isn't a specific 'camera car' version of a olf cart; you just take a regular golf cart and put a camera on it. I suppose you could add a rail system, like on a regular camera car, but I've never seen it done that way myself. Generally speaking, you're rigging something that's specific to a particular shot, rather than building a machine that's all-purpose. If you're shooting something where you're following an actor or actors over a long enough stretch that you wouldn't just use a dolly on track, then you're probably going to put a stedicam operator onto the back of a cart. But it doesn't come up much, as golf carts aren't all that quiet and they move fast more easily than they move slowly - running rather than walking, in other words.
Camera cars are typically rentals. The company I'm most familiar with is Chapman/Leonard:
http://www.chapman-leonard.com/products/Camera%20Car/chapman%20camera%20car.htm

Give 'em a call and they can probably tell you if there's a purpose- built golf cart version.

Life Continues, Despite
Evidence to the Contrary
Steven

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]If anyone knows a link to or just the technical ... crews use to film people walking, I'd appreciate it. [/nq]
[nq:1]There was the very funny golfcart movie with Bill Murray and a gopher, I forget the name.[/nq]
Caddyshack.
"I said freeze, gopher!"
W ; )

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]If anyone knows a link to or just the technical name (thus something I can search for on Google) for the electric golf carts that film and TV crews use to film people walking, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking for one of those that has the three-camera set-up (cameraman on left to film subject on right, right camera on left person, and center camera both), the front-seat spot for the sound tech to manage the sound boom, and the driver. Anyone know who makes these carts? Thanks in advance! Scott[/nq]
The only time Ive ever used something like that was done with a steadicam and a couple mounted cameras shooting wide. It was a mile run, and you cant run a mile with a steadicam so we made the golf cart rig. It was ghetto cause using a golf cart is ghetto. The speed is inconsistent and the operators level of control of a golf cart is limited. Wrong tires. Its loud. Where did you get this idea?

Its easy to do. You just build that kind of stuff ready made. Crew *** live for doing that kinda ***.
Oranse

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]The only time Ive ever used something like that was done with a steadicam and a couple mounted cameras shooting ... operators level of control of a golf cart is limited. Wrong tires. Its loud. Where did you get this idea?[/nq]
That is so last century ghetto. In the near future, steadicam operators will be balance themselves on a Segway. Or better yet, just add a steadicam to the thing.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]The only time Ive ever used something like that was done with a steadicam and a couple mounted cameras shooting wide. It was a mile run, and you cant run a mile with a steadicam so we made the golf cart rig.[/nq]
Look back at Rocky (the first one) and the big running-along-side-him- up-to-the-steps shot, and you get an idea of how in-shape the operator was. How many takes of that do you do before the operator just, y'know... explodes?
Just did two back-to-back 12 hour days, shooting a doc with my XL-1s on my shoulder. No running, no jumping, no assistant - just me and a box of tapes, and a monopod (on day two) that generally didn't touch the ground. Okay, SOMETIMES didn't touch the ground. Not sure if the stedicam would have made much of a difference, but you were right (back when you mentioned it) - the XL platform is not really designed as a shoulder rig. I'd forgotten how young I'm not, and how much my shoulders could hurt.
[nq:1]It was ghetto cause using a golf cart is ghetto. The speed is inconsistent and the operators level of control of a golf cart is limited. Wrong tires. Its loud. Where did you get this idea?[/nq]
I seem to recall that home-grown Christian football movie (DTV, a couple of years back) using a golf cart on the sidelines, to cover some of the game play. In that context it makes sense, but I'm guessing they didn't have the budget for a cable-cam.

Life Continues, Despite
Evidence to the Contrary
Steven

Anyone know of a golf cart used by film crews?

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