Pedestal is a technique in filmmakingtography.
Technical Details
Professional pedestals achieve lift heights between 60-180 cm, with systems like the Vinten Vector 950 offering a 84 cm lift and the OConnor 2575 a 91 cm lift. Payload varies between 25-95 kg depending on the model. Pneumatic systems operate with an air pressure of 6-8 bar and allow for stepless height adjustments. Studio pedestals feature counterbalance systems with up to 16 adjustable positions for precise weight balancing of different camera-lens combinations.
History & Development
The first pedestals emerged in 1929 in Hollywood studios, initially as mechanical systems with hand cranks. RCA developed the first pneumatic pedestal for television studios in 1939. The breakthrough came in 1954 with the Houston-Fearless "Panoram Dolly," which first offered hydraulic lift functions. Vinten revolutionized the market in 1982 with the Vector system, combining drag adjustments and counterbalance. Modern systems have integrated electronic controls and memory functions since 2010.
Practical Application in Film
Pedestal moves create dramatic perspective shifts without horizontal movement. In "Goodfellas" (1990), Scorsese used pedestal moves in the Copacabana sequence for seamless height transitions. "The Shining" (1980) employs slow pedestal moves in the Gold Room for psychological alienation. In the studio, pedestals enable rapid camera height adjustments between 90-270 cm within 2-3 seconds. Live TV benefits from silent operation with an operating noise level below 25 dB.
Comparison & Alternatives
Pedestal moves differ from crane movements by their purely vertical axis without a swing radius. Jib arms create curved movements, while pedestals move in mathematically straight lines. Modern alternatives include Technocranes with a 22m reach or remote-controlled motion heads. Remote pedestals like the Mark Roberts Motion Control System allow for programmable pedestal moves with repeatability of ±1mm. Steadicam systems can imitate vertical movements but do not achieve the mechanical precision of pedestals.