cinema

What is a Snorricam and How is it Used In Movies?

In this video, I break down what a snorricam is and how it’s used in movies. It might have a weird name, but it’s a very cool filmmaking tool to have in your cinematography arsenal. A snorricam is a contraption that attaches a camera to an actor through the use of a rigid vest and adjustable support arms connected to a ball-head that holds the camera in any angle you need. It’s a very unique and specialized piece of kit, but it allows you to get really captivating shots where the camera is “stuck” to the actor. In most cases, it’s used to convey a sense of dizziness, sickness, sleepiness, injury, etc. because the actor stays locked in the frame while the background spins around behind them. It’s a great tool for narrative storytelling purposes, and can be used for music videos, commercials, and anything you can think of. I recommend using a small B camera like a DSLR or a mirrorless camera in order to keep the weight down, since the heavier the camera, the more difficult it is to rig safely and the harder it is for the actor to maintain mobility. Additionally, I recommend having the actor where a jacket or a button up shirt to hide the vest from the view of camera, especially around the actor’s shoulders.