Yes =P lol

Not at all. If you feel that using a jib or any other tool is worth the investment for your film in money and/or time, and you can afford it, then definitely do it. The most important thing to remember though is that no one who watches your movie months from now is really going to care how you did it. They really just want to sit there and be entertained (or informed, as the case may be). So don't use "fancy" tools just to use them for a "cool" factor. Use them if your story calls for it. A jib (or dolly or Steadicam) is used because the filmmaker feels that some type of movement during a specific shot will help tell the story in some way. The alternative is to put the camera on a tripod and have it locked off, or to pan and tilt. Every option is viable, but ultimately it's up to you, the Director in collaboration with the Director of Photography to determine if the camera should move, how it should move, and what it should be moved with. And if it means investing a few hours to build a homemade rig to do it, then by all means, build it. And once you have it, you may find that you'll want to use it for more than those couple of shots you have planned, so it will pay off more than you thought. And, if it works well enough, other aspiring "low budget" filmmakers around you may ask to borrow or rent it from you, so now you'll have an asset that will pay off in other ways. Just remember, get the shot you want when you're there shooting it. The chances of being able to go back and reassemble all of the elements to redo something are very poor. Go into a shoot day prepared to do what you want to and never leave a setup until you're happy that you have what you want and need. Good luck! Brian Dzyak Cameraman/Author IATSE Local 600, SOC http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com