About
Think of the EyeDirect as a cross between a teleprompter and a periscope that has been turned on its side. Its purpose is to allow an interview subject in front of the camera to look directly into the lens of the camera, while at the very same time making direct eye contact with the interviewer. How is this possible? A piece of 70/30 teleprompter glass sits at a 45 degree angle in front of the camera’s lens. Reflecting into that glass is a mirror that is positioned to look down the side of the camera. So, the interviewer sits beside the camera body and looks into this mirror. Their reflection is transmitted to the special teleprompter glass and directed out the front of the unit towards the interview subject. The effect for them is that they are looking directly at each other. However, since the pane in front of the lens is not a straight-up mirror but has some transmissive properties, the camera is able to “shoot through” this pane to see the interview subject. The recorded effect is that the interview subject is looking directly at the camera (and hence the viewers at home). It can convey a more intimate and soulful dynamic to the final recording.
If you have a large camera, the unit mounts to 15mm rods in front of the lens, essentially the same way a matte box would. If you have a small camera, the rod mount is replaced with an extended platform that the camera can fasten to directly. Then the camera and the EyeDirect can mount as one to your tripod. We send the unit out already assembled in a padded case, but it is designed so the whole unit can fold down into something that would fit in a laptop case for shipping.
Ever watch those Errol Morris interviews? This is how he gets those great interactions!
What Comes with it?
- EyeDirect
- 15mm Rod Mount (60mm Spacing)
- Camera Platform
- ⅝" threaded stud
Price
| Day | $150 |
| Weekend | $150 |
| Week | $450 |