Skip to main content

Free-running camera operator blurs line between cameraman and stuntman


When it comes to doing anything to get the shot, no one is perhaps more committed than mysterious camera operator “Gimbalninja.” The enigmatic Austrian has been recognized for his daring feats of cinematic bravery before, which combine the athleticism of parkour with Hollywood-grade movie cameras, but his latest clip (above) is absolutely jaw-dropping.

Shot from the ninja’s point of view, the clip shows him deftly running over bamboo scaffolding and jumping off the roof of a building (presumably in a safety harness and being lowered by a rope) all while carrying a beefy cinema camera rig in his hands. The maneuver was part of a Nike commercial shoot, and once you pick your jaw up off the floor, go ahead and watch the full ad below. The results of Gimbalninja’s work speak for themselves.

Related Videos
NIKE 2016 Just Do It -- The Next Wave TVC

The ad, which was shot throughout Beijing and Hong Kong, according to DigitalRev, promotes a variety of sports from hockey to hurdles. Its fast-paced action is captured in the incredibly smooth style that only became available relatively recently thanks to advanced motorized camera gimbals popularized first by Freefly System’s Movi. It is not clear which gimbal and camera Gimbalninja used on the shoot, but several companies have produced variants of the device, including DJI with its affordable Ronin series.

This also isn’t the first time Gimbalninja’s stunts have made the news. Back in December 2015, the Internet cried fowl when a video was posted showing Gimbalninja diving through a car, window to window, and landing on the ground on the opposite side, all while filming with what looks to be an ARRI cinema camera held in just one hand. That clip just seemed too good to be true, but this latest Nike ad may clear up any doubt as to its veracity.

Editors' Recommendations

The Framework laptop is officially Thunderbolt 4 certified
A Framework laptop upside down with two hands holding it and the USB ports unscrewed

Framework laptops are officially Thunderbolt 4 certified after going through a rigorous Intel testing process. While you may have assumed they had Thunderbolt 4 before today, the truth is Framework did not have official certification despite having Thunderbolt-capable input/output (I/O).

There are four (yes, four) Thunderbolt 4-capable expansion bays on these laptops. Once you get the Framework firmware update, you’ll be cruising with dual 4K monitors, eGPUs, and other fun peripherals.

Read more
Mavic 3 design change reduces the drone’s price
mavic 3 design change reduces price classic

DJI launched the Mavic 3 to glowing reviews in 2021, with its Hasselblad dual-camera system, 4/3 CMOS 20-megapixel sensor, 5.1K video, and decent 46 minutes of flight time marking it out as DJI’s flagship consumer drone.

Its starting price of $2,049 is, however, prohibitive for many people, while those looking at the Combo option have to drop an even heavier wad of notes totaling $2,849.

Read more
Is DJI about to release a new drone?
A close-up of a lens, possibly for a new DJI drone.

DJI has just teased an event for next week, suggesting it could be about to unveil a new drone.

The event, announced on the company’s social media channels, is called, “Explore Vivid,” and will take place at 9 a.m. ET  (6 a.m. PT) on Wednesday, November 2.

Read more