Alfeo Dixon SOC

SI-2K's

Those same two characters in the corridor could discuss 2 pages of dialogue in a room sitting at a table, but that would practically be radio. No, feeling like everyone can hear them as a possible leak is contributed to bad directing. To have the actors lean in and whisper or even pause and look at someone to clear their ear shot and then they continue to walk and talk... blah, blah, blah. The story is sold by the direction... now if the camera becomes a character, then it can help sell the story instead of just moving the story. Think voyeur or spy or animal creeping up and peering around corners and even the moving POV. -Alfeo

No I haven't and not eager too! I would say it would be close to a full on F35+SRW1/Geneside or even BL weight. Composite out connected at bootup makes Windoz think that the main screen is connected instead of the extended desktop... it an OS thing. So the Neutron has no controls for changing the IA (S3D community wants us to use Inner-axial and not Ocular) or they just haven't finished the stereo rig yet? -Alfeo

Hey gang, I'm looking to find two docking collars for my Ultra2 rig. The post Dia is 1.58" on the rig and I have the Gorelock 2, which is for the larger width rigs. -Alfeo

Marko, I think you got caught in the cross fires of the 'boys' being 'boys.' But your operator is technically operating with bad technique with his operating hand above the gimbal... BUT... if your operator just happened to be paralyzed with the other arm, it would have been a kudos all around for finding a way to "Just Do It!" Now, your statement about 10 hours in a rig IS a slap in the face to professional operators that feed our families via our trade of steadicam. Your product, yes it reaches out to a lower market, but that market use to put food on the table for the veterans and is also the learning grounds for the new professionals serious about their craft, NOT just a someone that feels they want to buy a rig and shoot their own direction in order to save a dime. I was actually talking to someone at NAB about using a mini [automobile] radiator style belt for those types of cameras. If your serious about selling to steadicam ops, figure out an inexpensive way to go wireless... we hate wires, period! I definitely hate using the plastic gears on the lenses, but it works and most of US on this forum already have a wireless system or are in need of buying one. Best of luck. -Alfeo

Ultra 2c minus the nose box with the P+S Technik Freestyle Rig, SI-2K with Cine Deck

I was delaying my post until I got confirmation on the convergence, but you answered that. I flew it a lot at NAB and got quite a walk through from Philippe himself. We had the SI-2K onboard and as you stated, I'm sure a larger and longer mass camera will affect more while pulling the convergence. Other than that, I think its a great rig and very lightweight. I think the only thing that wasn't clear is that the converge is rotated under the axis of IO movement. What that allows is the convergence angle stays at the center of the rig I also LOVED the Cine Deck that controlled the two SI-2K cameras. Had to get use to windoz I love the fact that the Freestyle Rig will allow for regular or goofy operations and looks to be a great handheld unit also. -Alfeo

a bit disappointed not to see the actual working mags. They had a two mockups, one with a live sensor which of course looked phenomenal (saw the Dalsa beast in '06) and then second mag that showed how the two solid state drives can load from the rear of the camera... wait a minute... the rear of the camera which is just over the shoulder of the operator in hand held. Could it be a hot swappable situation to let you continue to roll without missing a beat?!?

Tiffen is suppose to have this on one of the rigs at NAB, I'll check it out then if so and give you the report. I will say I was not impressed with their regular 3D rig when I shot with it about a year back... hopefully this one is much better. A bit of humor is all the configs shown with no cabling and you simply can not do 3D with the Canon DLSR's... no way to gen-lock, which is a must.

Just got my info for Vegas... looks like they're putting us up at the Monte Carlo this year. I get in on Saturday mid-afternoon and would be down for anything... even a desert run... Robert??? FYI, usually the Tiffen/Steadicam ops from the booth will gather about an hour after the exhibit hall closes, at a downstairs bar area, to head out for dinner and trouble. -Alfeo

you would have better luck if you knew if Saks was using the footage anywhere... just send them the bill for the footage. You could also send the a notice like I had to do to the client of the producer that refused to pay me. read here. even if they are not using the footage, they don't want to possibility of errors or omission (I think that is correct) coming back to them. So Saks will contact the people you worked for and ask what's the deal and you may get restitution because it's on the clients radar now. Best of luck. -Alfeo

Actually Eric, no drag on the Ultra Gimbal, I guess its another big advantage of having long fingers. I looked into that as soon as you said that to me... then I went into finding what was most comfortable, even started doing the fisted death grip that I saw in one of Fracol's pics and realized that it allows for a light but snuggly touch. If you think about the most relaxed position of the hand, its the yoga meditation of the touching the tips of the middle finger and thumb. After a physical observation of the thumb to index vs. middle finger, a much flatter circle formed between the thumb and finger when touching to the middle finger. Look forward to meeting you then... I will be there demoing for Tiffen. -Alfeo

Good for you Matteo. It's always good to give the producer choices... such as A) I'll gladly allow you to risk your life for your shot. B ) I can do the shot as plained but not until I'm comfortable with the way they are rigging my life. or C) I can just go home, but I would rather give you the shot you desire and then go home alive. In terms of the Hill Mount, its very simple. It is an adapter between your socket block and any Mitchell mount found commonly on legs, high hats, dollies or even bazookas.

love the "beauty queen" shot!

Just had a humorous thought... if this was a Toyota, there would be a massive recall and a federal agency hovering over the Preston Labs with questions....

I wouldn't rule out anything with the proper modifications... infact, I have an old friend, Myron Parran that use to work with Para-olympians and designed prosthetics. He actually think he pursued steadicam and took a workshop, he would be a great person to talk. PM me for his email and phone -Alfeo

Not going to agree with you Alfeo, back in the day that was how you operated. The answer is Yes, you can you just need to either learn that way (like the original poster) or adapt. It's also not a bad skill to have as an emergency backup..... I was not referencing archaic rigs, but the rig in its current state. You failed to quote my last paragraph about finding a modification that would work for his needs. Now, did I fail to overlook his desire to over come what many would doubt, most likely yes. Did I even consider that the loss of sensory in one area increases the sensory movements and responses in another to an almost super ability state? Nope, I just stated the simple mechanics of how the rig works in the current scheme. I operated for a few many years before you pointed out that my forefinger was on the topside of the gimbal. Was it wrong like you blatantly chastised me? No, it was just comfortable to me from my youth of playing an upright acoustical bass. In fact, that might even be a solution that could work for Steve, by grasping the gimbal between the fingers, for booms and lateral movement??? I just don't see a way to operate one handedly without severely affecting the fluidity expected of the operator, particularly on shots that require a nice range of booming without having a modified rig adapted to Steve's needs. -Alfeo

Hi Steve, Sorry to hear about your accident but in the same, I'm excited to hear about your enthusiasm. The way the rigs function is that one hand (usually the right) does most of the power of working the rig... booming and adjusting the sled to the shot. The left hand is on the gimbal handle with a very light touch to control slight pans and tilts to whip pans and even the occasional role. This said, in its present state no, one with a paralyzed arm would not be able to properly operate in its current design scheme... some out there can't properly operate with two good arms. Now, you have come to the correct place, because many of the design modifiers and even Garrett himself frequent the forums and maybe they might have a solution or even already thought about how... even got me thinking (i only do that occasionally)... Please keep us updated on your findings. -Alfeo

Nice and clean, I do miss the show new post... but then found the View New Content link and just as i started getting use to the Top button, its stripped away... Yes it feels slow

Don't think so... those boys are sprinting in that scene... try a go-cart or sidecar

Mini... but you should never dock like this! One should dock it just under the top stage, not under the gimbal handle. I flew once with rubber bands on the arm... I'm pretty sure it was a DVX100 or 200 plus modulus and motorola production walkie... wow, that took me back a bit... -Alfeo

Hey Aaron, not joking... I love it myself and wish I could afford one right now! (yes I'm hating) I just thought with the medium to larger (RED) cameras in a 3D setup, you maybe fighting against the gears on that size head. your basically tripling the camera weight with any 3D rig. I'm just saying, if the primary purpose is 3D, then one may want to conceder taming the beast. -Alfeo

If you notice that the rigs off switch will not work now, its acutally in the neutral off position. But to anticipate that, I used the IDX plate with a built in on/off switch for controlling an OB light (ENG style) and had it wired up to enable or disable power to the sled but always leaving the P-Tap hot.

More Pictures Here

I don't know how large your rig will be and what size cameras, but usually you want the beefier heads to play... I would thing a full size head would be a better option.