40 days. One car. 5 Lessons From Shooting From the Back of a Car

40 days. One car. A Ronin-2 rigged in the trunk. And a bunch of cyclists climbing hills.

5 Lessons From 40 Days Shooting From the Back of a Car

This wasn’t your typical film shoot. It was a test of endurance, gear, and creativity. Here are five things I learned as a gimbal tech and camera op on a nonstop road trip.

1. Mobile Rigging Is Never "One and Done"

No matter how dialed in your car rig is, road conditions change everything. Vibration, wind drag, and even temperature messed with our stability. We ended up tweaking the Ronin mount multiple times, having to remount the vibration isolators, trim our railing to fit inside parking structures, and more.
Pro Tip: Always plan for daily micro-adjustments, even if your rig looks ready to go.

2. The Focus and Ronin controller became My Best Friend (and Worst Enemy lol)

Trying to hit marks on a moving subject while bouncing around in a back seat is… humbling. The Nucleus and gimbal controller worked great, but you have to feel your subject’s rhythm.
Pro Tip: Get reps beforehand.

3. Drones on the road are a Logistics Game

Timing takeoffs, avoiding interference, and maintaining line-of-sight while moving was a whole workflow in itself.
Pro Tip: Pre-plan drone shots. Never go full freestyle unless you’ve got air clearance and GPS lock.

4. Operating From a Moving Car = Burnout

I’ll be honest, it's not easy. But here’s the truth: motion prevents burnout. Sitting in a cramped seat for hours takes a toll.

I started doing 20 pushups at every rest stop. 20 became 50, then 50 became 100, and 100 became 300 in a single day. It kept my back from locking up and my brain from going foggy.
Pro Tip: Pack like an athlete. Pack water bottles, push-up grips, sweat towels, deodorant, and healthy snacks.

5. The Story Comes First, Even on the Move

Technical excellence is important, but you’re still telling a story. I found myself obsessing over smooth motion, but what mattered most was capturing the emotion of the climb.
Pro Tip: Aim for perfection, but understand that in docs, not everything will be perfect. Sometimes you have to let your camera feel human.