How I Rigged Cameras for a Drifting Competition with the Sigma FP
Today, I'm going to share how I like to rig cameras onto cars—specifically for drifting events. This past weekend, I had the chance to head up to North Carolina with my friend to film his first competition of the year. I was really excited about this project, not just because it got me back into filming cars, but also because it gave me the perfect opportunity to showcase how versatile the Sigma FP camera is due to its compact size.
A Little Background
Let me give you some background on my journey. I actually started my entire filmmaking career shooting cars. It quickly grew, and before I knew it, I was filming all over the United States and even traveling to other countries. However, after a while, I found myself getting bored of filming the same thing over and over. So nowadays, I only take on projects with clients I've worked with before or those who understand my vision and give me the chance to create projects I'm truly passionate about.
What got me excited to work on this project with Christian is the fact that he's also a filmmaker. He has the patience and knowledge of how filmmaking works, so he gave me the time and freedom to get all the shots I needed to make a video I'd be proud to share.
If you'd like to see the full film, you can watch the entire video on my second channel, Inner Clip.
The Importance of Multiple Cameras
When it comes to documenting events, especially something as fast-paced as drifting, the more cameras you have, the better. You only get one chance to capture each moment. If you're interested in a full rig breakdown of my Sigma FP setup, you can check out this link.
Rigging Cameras to Capture the Thrill
In my experience shooting car racing, rigging a camera to a car is one of the best ways to capture the thrill of the race. By using a combination of various camera rigs, we can capture the intensity from multiple angles, ensuring that no critical moment is missed.
For this particular shoot, I used:
Filmtools Suction Cup
RigWheels Magnet Mounts
Claw Clamp Arm
These tools allowed me to rig shots both inside and outside the car. Each was carefully chosen to create the perfect shot and bring the viewer right into the action.
All the products mentioned in this post have links in the description below.
Exterior Shots
The suction cup allowed us to mount the camera on the exterior of the car—on the windshield, doors, or any flat surface. This gave viewers an intimate view of the car as it drifted around the track.
Interior Shots
Inside the car, we rigged Christian's Sony FX3 using the clamp arm attached to the roll cage. This provided a great view of the driver himself, so you can see how he reacts to everything happening during the drift. It adds an extra layer of excitement when you can see what the driver is doing in real-time.
Additional Angles
In addition to the mounted cameras, we had GoPros facing forwards and backwards, giving us a better view of what was happening outside the car around Christian. By using all these cameras together, we were able to create a dynamic and comprehensive view of the race, capturing every critical moment from different angles. This gives viewers more perspective and context when watching the video.
Pushing the Limits
Overall, this was an exciting project that pushed the limits of our gear and cinematography—especially given the short timelines and the fast-paced nature of drifting competitions. It reminded me why I fell in love with filmmaking in the first place.
Final Thoughts
If you'd like to see more videos about the Sigma FP and how I use it in various projects, consider subscribing to my channel. I have quite a few more planned, and I'm excited to share them with you.
Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next post!
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