William Shatner on a Segway - kindof

gbrandwood · 09-29-2011, 04:37 PM

Photo 1 shows WS on a Segway... kindof. Probably for insurance reasons he isn't actually on a Segway - take a look at photo 2. He's on a Segway rig.

http://trekmovie.com/2011/05/05/shat...norary-degree/

Now, is it just me, or does it look like the LSF is backwards but the handlebar or upper portion is the correct way around?

Tx-Rider · 09-29-2011, 04:41 PM

To bad he wasn't really on a Segway...
Oh well.

And yes the LSF looks backwards.

goldwing_midland_tx · 09-29-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrandwood

Now, is it just me, or does it look like the LSF is backwards but the handlebar or upper portion is the correct way around?

I agree it does appear to be backwards on the lower part since the knob is on the front.

KSagal · 09-29-2011, 09:36 PM

I understand that the statement "for insurance reasons" they may do lots of things is a reality of our times, but it makes no sense to me.

I think it very well may be that the mobility impaired and senior citizens are the single largest demographic on segways today.

For me, that rig in the 2nd photo does not seem at all safer than a segway to a senior citizen.

Bob.Kerns · 09-30-2011, 12:47 AM

I'd say maybe it's remote controlled, so he just has to hang on and not act or ride or anything -- but then I'd expect it to be in front of a bluescreen.

I'm baffled.

Civicsman · 09-30-2011, 02:55 PM

You're thinking about this from the Segway perspective, but the answer is all about Hollywood.

It is very clearly a dolly. You can see the wheels and the support for the tracks running out behind.

This would be used to get a shot where Shatner is "riding" directly towards the camera. A second dolly holds the camera and is linked to Shatner's dolly. As the both dollys move, the distance from camera to subject is fixed, and the subject stays in focus. This is especially important where they are using an f-stop that gives short depth of field.

This is a very common way to achieve such a shot. It's used all the time for motion shots. This way, not only do they achieve the technical aspects of the shot, but Shatner doesn't have to think about driving a Seg while delivering his lines.

There may be other shots of Shatner actually riding a Seg. The Editor puts it all together and makes you think something is happening that is not. It's Hollywood magic at work.

gbrandwood · 09-30-2011, 03:10 PM

Ooh I love Hollywood magic!

KSagal · 09-30-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Civicsman

You're thinking about this from the Segway perspective, but the answer is all about Hollywood.

It is very clearly a dolly. You can see the wheels and the support for the tracks running out behind.

This would be used to get a shot where Shatner is "riding" directly towards the camera. A second dolly holds the camera and is linked to Shatner's dolly. As the both dollys move, the distance from camera to subject is fixed, and the subject stays in focus. This is especially important where they are using an f-stop that gives short depth of field.

This is a very common way to achieve such a shot. It's used all the time for motion shots. This way, not only do they achieve the technical aspects of the shot, but Shatner doesn't have to think about driving a Seg while delivering his lines.

There may be other shots of Shatner actually riding a Seg. The Editor puts it all together and makes you think something is happening that is not. It's Hollywood magic at work.

This explanation makes much more sense to me than the "For insurance reasons" one. Thanks for this perspective.

Bob.Kerns · 10-01-2011, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Civicsman

You're thinking about this from the Segway perspective, but the answer is all about Hollywood.

It is very clearly a dolly. You can see the wheels and the support for the tracks running out behind.

This would be used to get a shot where Shatner is "riding" directly towards the camera. A second dolly holds the camera and is linked to Shatner's dolly. As the both dollys move, the distance from camera to subject is fixed, and the subject stays in focus. This is especially important where they are using an f-stop that gives short depth of field.

This is a very common way to achieve such a shot. It's used all the time for motion shots. This way, not only do they achieve the technical aspects of the shot, but Shatner doesn't have to think about driving a Seg while delivering his lines.

There may be other shots of Shatner actually riding a Seg. The Editor puts it all together and makes you think something is happening that is not. It's Hollywood magic at work.

Yes, I got that it was a dolly -- but I was missing the point about linkage to the camera dolly.

I know a great deal about CG special effects, but very little about fundamentals like this. Thanks for the explanation!

Rusty Butrusty · 10-02-2011, 09:55 AM

The cap'n was really on a Segway in at least two "Boston Legal" episodes.

09-29-2011, 04:37 PM	#1
gbrandwood Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North west England, UK. Posts: 3,043	William Shatner on a Segway - kindof Photo 1 shows WS on a Segway... kindof. Probably for insurance reasons he isn't actually on a Segway - take a look at photo 2. He's on a Segway rig. http://trekmovie.com/2011/05/05/shat...norary-degree/ Now, is it just me, or does it look like the LSF is backwards but the handlebar or upper portion is the correct way around? __________________ Gareth Brandwood The comments posted are made by the fat figners of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the brain.

09-29-2011, 04:41 PM	#2
Tx-Rider Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Odessa, Texas Posts: 268	To bad he wasn't really on a Segway... Oh well. And yes the LSF looks backwards. __________________ ~Amanda~ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Ps, stay away from squirrels... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Peace, Love, & Segways Last edited by Tx-Rider; 09-29-2011 at 07:58 PM..

09-29-2011, 09:36 PM	#4
KSagal Glides a lot, talks more... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pelham, NH, USA. Posts: 10,356	I understand that the statement "for insurance reasons" they may do lots of things is a reality of our times, but it makes no sense to me. I think it very well may be that the mobility impaired and senior citizens are the single largest demographic on segways today. For me, that rig in the 2nd photo does not seem at all safer than a segway to a senior citizen. __________________ Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well.

09-30-2011, 12:47 AM	#5
Bob.Kerns Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Marin County, CA Posts: 3,783	I'd say maybe it's remote controlled, so he just has to hang on and not act or ride or anything -- but then I'd expect it to be in front of a bluescreen. I'm baffled. __________________ Bob Kerns: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Obviously, we can't have infinite voltage, or the universe would tear itself to shreds, and we wouldn't be discussing Segways.

09-30-2011, 03:10 PM	#7
gbrandwood Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North west England, UK. Posts: 3,043	Ooh I love Hollywood magic! __________________ Gareth Brandwood The comments posted are made by the fat figners of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of the brain.

09-30-2011, 02:55 PM	#6
Civicsman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Freedonia! Posts: 1,703	You're thinking about this from the Segway perspective, but the answer is all about Hollywood. It is very clearly a dolly. You can see the wheels and the support for the tracks running out behind. This would be used to get a shot where Shatner is "riding" directly towards the camera. A second dolly holds the camera and is linked to Shatner's dolly. As the both dollys move, the distance from camera to subject is fixed, and the subject stays in focus. This is especially important where they are using an f-stop that gives short depth of field. This is a very common way to achieve such a shot. It's used all the time for motion shots. This way, not only do they achieve the technical aspects of the shot, but Shatner doesn't have to think about driving a Seg while delivering his lines. There may be other shots of Shatner actually riding a Seg. The Editor puts it all together and makes you think something is happening that is not. It's Hollywood magic at work.

10-02-2011, 09:55 AM	#10
Rusty Butrusty Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Danksville, near Budzburg, USA Posts: 53	The cap'n was really on a Segway in at least two "Boston Legal" episodes.

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