Any rig nightmare stories?

Anyone have a rig nightmare story to share? Something where the rig came loose and damaged the car, or the suction cups made a dent or pulled paint, or the camera fell off the pole?

I definitely want to be sure I am insured before doing this on other's cars! But it will help me sleep better if no one can chime in with a holy crap story.

I have yet to have any nightmares (knock on wood), but I can give you a few pointers that will help you to mitigate the risks:

1. Try to work with someone. I'm guilty of trying to shoot rig stuff by myself. Though, I'm trying to avoid it. I'll always look for someone to help me. I'll have the other guy sit behind the wheel, while I manage the rig.

2. Support the rig with your hand: This will help to counter the bounce and minimize blur, as well as prevent damage to the car, in case the thing takes a dump on the hood.

3. Find a piece of flat styrofoam sheet, or you can use a cloth, and wrap the pole around the area where if it were to fall, it would come in contact with the car.

4. Beware of your surrounding. Make sure the car does not roll in an area where the poll may get caught in something, or may harm someone or someone's property.

That should be it. For the most part, if you use your head and think twice before you do something, you should be ok.

Good luck

Good call on wrapping the pole. I definitely don't plan on doing this unless I have an assistant. I was going to practice this weekend but it looks like it's 100% chance of rain until Monday. I'll have to report back here with some shots and how it went.

Thanks!!
James

What about getting the cup to stay past the red mark? My first time using them, I had to push on it for like 10 minutes before it would go past the red mark like 5 mins later. It was on the hood of the car which was flat. I used windex to clean the part of the car and the bottom of the cup.

That's scary. Did it turn out OK or did you move the cup somewhere else? Was there something wrong with your cup to cause it not to seal?

100% agree with having an assistant. Although you can theoretically shoot yourself, it really makes a difference to have someone help you. I was going to rig my car this past weekend, but decided to wait until I have someone to help.