Teacher Dave Basulto knows first hand what shrinking budgets can mean to school arts programs. His solution? Pair an inexpensive iPad mini with the iOgrapher (funding through April 13), a mounting system he's developed for Apple's tiny tablet.
The iOgrapher is a rigid plastic molding sporting wide, loopy handles intended to facilitate steadier operation of your device. Three accessory shoes, allowing you to attach equipment like lights or microphones, sit on the upper ridge. An attachment point placed underneath the iOgrapher enables you to mount the assemblage on various tripods, stands, and dollies. And a 37mm lens mount will let you add different lenses.
Basulto plans to lunach a companion site, iOgrapherU.com, alongside the mount with tutorials for both the iPad and his creation, as well as related apps, workflow techniques, editing, and other information helpful for those engaged in audio/visual media production. Only those who've purchased an iOgrapher or one of Basulto's other planned products will be granted access.
As of this writing, a scant few $40 early bird specials remained. This or the $50 option will net you a black iOgrapher iPad Mini Mount (planned to ship in June) and a lifetime membership to the website. Spendier options include mountable extras and white support cases.
Confidence level
Basulto teaches media arts and animation at the high school level, and has been maintaining his filmmaking website for more than seven years. He has produced several films and TV shows. Basulto has a functioning prototype, but no molds have been created. Perhaps the biggest impediment will be the funding itself--with a little more than a week to go, the project is a about one-third of the way to its very modest goal of $15,000.
