I'm a pretty patient person when it comes to animating, so most of the time for still shots I'll just put the camera on the table in front of the set and prop it up with some bricks, card stock, etc., whatever gets the angle right, and then work around it and am careful not to bump it. I have a good tripod, but most of the time I just find that it's in the way. Super sketchy, I know, but it works for me. Cheaper than buying a new tripod, too.

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Rather than getting a large tripod that stands upon the floor, I use a smaller tri-pod which only elevates the camera by around about 26 centimeters.
Instead of just having one table, I have a slightly low table with a smaller table on top of it with very stubby legs made from duplo blocks (as so the height may be adjusted).
My camera's small tripod is set upon the larger table whist my set is set atop the shorter smaller duplo table. and the camera stays around about level with the subject.  However, for a higher angle or a lower angle I can elevate the mini table with more or less duplo blocks.

Perhaps you could try getting a small tripod, but instead of going to the trouble of having a custom table made for you, try getting a little side table and put a stack of books in that and then your tripod upon that.  That should make it so you can change the elevation by simply changing the number of books.

Also with some if the nicer heavier tripods you can hang the head from the legs rather then have it come out the top, so you can get the camera close to tbe ground