In this article we will discuss the options available to independent filmmakers regarding camera stabilizers.

Stabilizers are counterweight devices that help the camera operator to have better control when shooting or recording moving shots.

With the intention of making the work of cameramen easier, in 1976 Garret Brown invented a device for film cameras that allowed him to shoot shots while holding the camera in his hand, without any noticeable vibration. He called it the Steadicam and it was patented by the Tiffen company.

It was first used in the 1976 American film Rocky, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by John G. Avildsen, in which Garret Brown himself worked as a cameraman. Shortly after, following the publication of Stephen King's novel The Shining, film director Stanley Kubrick decided to adapt it for the big screen and used the Steadicam in some scenes. This is how the use of this device became popular.

The Steadicam can support a weight ranging from 12 to 70 pounds, in its various versions, with a price between US$7,000 and US$66,000. Today, several brands offer independent filmmakers more affordable and good-quality options. Among these is Bassom Steady System, an Argentinian company founded in 1997, which assembles, manufactures, and designs stabilizers for professional cameras. Also available is Proaim, an Indian brand established in 2004, whose stabilizers are called Flycam.

Assuming that the cameras used by independent filmmakers aren't particularly heavy, we invite you to try the two low-cost options mentioned above, designed to meet the needs of cameras up to 12 pounds. The most economical option for this weight in the Bassom Steady System is US$$ for 4,620. The Proaim model is US$$ for 1,750. However, in addition to weight, the creative needs of the filmmaker play a significant role in choosing the right brand and type of stabilizer.

We share with you one of the scenes from the movie The Shining, in which the Steadicam was used.