This week while browsing a list of DIY Filmmaking projects I found a link to  Jay Boy’s Dolly – so think this guy might have other project I went to see the rest of his video’s and found my self in the Shoebox World.
In a nut shell, if you haven’t seen this yet – basically it’s a static Depth of Field Adapter for you DV or any camera.  It has a lens (light source – they use a magnifying glass) to project an image on a sheet of tracing paper or in Jay Boy’s project he uses stencil matte plastic that you can get at any hobby store.  You focus on the inverted image that’s projected on to the paper (ground glass) and you get really cool / dreamy results.

Here’s the original build video:

How to make a shoebox from Remyyy on Vimeo.

And here’s Jay Boy’s mods on the project:

Jay Boy’s No Budget Tutorials 01: Making Remyyy’s Shoebox Thing-A-Ma-Jig from Jay Boy’s Random Cutz on Vimeo.

I encourage you to go through the shoebox world channel and see the result that others are having, but here’s my thoughts.  I’m totally going to make the original project as described by Remyyy!  But I wonder how this could be taken to the next level!  I’m going to build a modular approach to the project.

Here’s my idea: (Please take this and try it!)  I’m going to try to gather my part this week, and will be toying with it next weekend.) I want to build an easy to alter more flexible approach to the project, so I’m going to not use a shoe box, but four stips of double cardboard put together wtih black duct tape.  This will allow me to claps the project down for storage and transport – I’m also think of trying a real 35mm lens instead of a magnifying glass.

I’ll be making a video of my build and will be posting it soon.
Until then, share your knowledge – and keep shooting!