Help with controlling a balloon

ABHunter4L

ABHunter4L

Hello,

I am making a short film, and have a question.

My film is about a child chasing a balloon around a town.

I want the balloon to look as if it is controlling itself and floating around on its own.

How could I achieve this? Especially if there is wind?? All I can think of is to have someone below the frame of the shot directing the balloon with fishing wire. I am pretty sure that my 16mm K-3 will not be able to pick up the fishing wire?

I am stumped. Any thoughts?
 
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A very fine fishing line in both black and white
(clear) is the best way to do this. Any camera
will see the line depending on how the light hits
it. If the background is dark then the black line
is best, if the background is light then the clear
line will work better.

Wind is going to be an issue. And not having
video assist will create another challenge. You
will have to do multiple takes. Have several balloons
on hand. Some with helium, some without, some
with a mixture.
 
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Green Screen?

Here's some inspiration...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIzaEuh0SN8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r356yY-6xlw&NR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=319nx2_xM40&NR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a3OIuoENEc
 
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When using greenscreen and film post production becomes quite an
issue. Much more so than when shooting digitally. I suspect
greenscreen in this case isn’t a good option.

That film is a perfect example. No greenscreen used at all. All on
set effects using fishing line.
 
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Thanks for the great suggestions. I guess I am going to have to hope for a calm day wind-wise!

Also, I have one more question. How do you achieve a fade-in/fade-out with a 16mm K-3? I'm guessing fade-in is to go all the way closed on my f-stop and opposite for fade-out?
 
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If you are transferring the film to digital for editing you
will do the fades in post production. If you will be shooting
reversal stock and editing (and projecting) the original
stock you will use close the aperture to fade out and open
it to fade in.
 
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When using the fishing line, maybe add a large noticeable free floating string or ribbon to the balloon so our attention is drawn to it. If the fishing line is connected to the child and to the helium balloon and the fake ribbon is floating just out of the child’s reach, then the child is always chasing the balloon.

I would even try a fishing reel to pulley the line around stuff and reel the balloon in on some shots, or pulley it around stuff (by hand) so when their back is turned, the balloon can sink down within reach, but when they turn towards it, it raises up out of reach, toying with them.

A little sewing tape measure so you can inflate any replacement balloons to a consistent diameter might not be a bad idea, and you can likely get one of those little party store helium inflators (And cartridges) to inflate on the go too.

-Thanks-
 
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Tie a fishing line to one of these and keep it out of the shot. Oh and don't shoot dialogue because this noisy little helicopter is going to make noise:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGTt4fvF9OA
 
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