From Cory Williams (smpfilms):
This was a video that I've wanted to do since I was a kid. I've seen a few videos on YouTube of people trying this but I wasn't about to spoil my dreams just because I wasn't the first to try.
ABOUT THE EXPERIMENT:
I used a light weight (12 lb. test) fishing string and $40 in mylar balloons to get the Flip Cam Mino into the air. By launching off the top of the hill I was able to avoid trees, telephone poles and other hazardous obstacles.
WHY USE A FLIP CAM?
I used the Flip Cam because it was one of the lightest cameras I had with a centered anchor point (for more leveled shots). Unfortunately it was the standard definition (full screen) one and not the HD (wide screen) which is why the quality was so pixelated. Next time I'll either by the HD one or just use more balloons and get a better camera up there.
WHY USE FISHING STRING?
I used fishing string because I didn't want the camera to get away from me. The only major drawbacks of using it were it's weight caused by wind current and it's risk of getting caught up in trees. We chose a specific location knowing that if anything happened it would most likely not get tangled up in anything bad. Once the balloon started to fall, Steph held the string while I kept watch from below. After we were finished with our experiment, we immediately reeled in all of the string, cut it into pieces and threw it away at home.
WHERE DID I GET MY NINTENTO GUN SHIRT?
I got it from Nerdy Shirts. They've got a bunch of cool shirts if you're a game nerd like I am. I'm not sponsored by them... their just cool : ) http://www.nerdyshirts.com
WHERE WERE YOU?
This was on the hill behind Janss Marketplace and The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, Calfiornia.
WHO WAS ON THE PHONE?
I was on the phone with Stephanie while I was attempting to catch the balloon because she was the one at the top of the hill holding it for me. I told her when to reel it in and when to give it slack. When she pulled it in, it would go lower. Giving it slack would make it go higher.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO REEL THE LINE?
We got it reeled up in about 10 minutes. We used the wind to make sure nothing would get tangled in it.
WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE BALLOONS?
I gave them to some kids who were watching me do this from the water fountain at Janss Marketplace. They were stoked! It made me happy : )
WILL YOU DO THIS AGAIN?
If this video gets a lot of response then yes. I'll use A LOT more balloons with a better camera in a more remote location.
WHAT WAS THE MUSIC YOU USED?
That was a song I wrote called "There and Back". It's one of my favorite instrumentals and thought it would go perfect for this.
WHAT WAS THE OTHER CAMERA YOU USED?
That was my Canon EOS 5D Mark II. However, I didn't really get a chance to set it up correctly (since I was so focused on the experiment) but I think it turned out alright.