Erwin Landau

Paddocks Radical Options or "The GPI Story..." George Paddock was an engineer in the Navy, later became a Steadicam operator/owner when buying his EFP in 1990. Imidiately he started to modify it and that became his first brush with Steadicam modification/manufacturing. He was the person behind the modification that made Dynamic balance with the EFP possible/easier possible. The construction of a for and aft to the bottom of the sled. It was so successful that his upgrade was even sold trough CP directly. Paddocks Radical Options (PRO) came about as an upgrade for the stagnated Steadicam Model 3/3A that was not majorly upgraded in 12 years (Most of the parts and technology, like the Arm, electronics, etc. was basically the same since 1976). The PRO basically incorporated design aspects from Bob DeRose, using his "tele-post" later the GPI Center Post, as well as his DA-1 (the upper Junction box), the lower for and aft and all the little and big brackets and widgets that he had made for the 3A for years. Chris Haarhoff added his Donkey Box to it and George Paddock came up with the Monitor, Housing, the Power Supply, Batteries. (They were sold in parts as the Steadicam patents were still very much power. Many Steadicam hardliner believed that that was in direct violation and competition with Steadicam... It was a well deserved Option.) The interesting part about that was that for years many Workshops were conducted by CP and PRO with CP/DCE/PRO hybrids until that day when the war/break came about... And No I don't know exactly what happend... You will notice that many parts from the 3A will fit the PRO and vice versa... as the PRO design was initially meant as an upgrade and not as a replacement for the 3/3A. The Master Series was the answer to the PRO or at least got pushed quicker in production, which came with different diameter Post, Gimbal and Arm Post which were not interchangable with the PRO. A try from CP to dry out the supply of Arms and Gimbals for the PRO system. Which eventually turned out to be a shot in there own foot. (As we know CP went down... GPI is still here.) All customers of the first PRO were disappointed or fed up 3A owners that needed something more reliable. (Remember? Everytime you flipped the switch for the Monitor with anticipation... will it glow or blow up...) You still needed the 3A Vest, Arm and Gimbal to compleat the set up as Cinema Products did not sell single parts, actually they decidet what they sold you at the time. Later the PRO Gimbal got introduced as well as much later the Arm and the Vest which compleated the PRO set up and marked the departuer from all parts Steadicam. And the second compleat System (Sled, Arm and Vest) as an alternative to the original Steadicam. GPI was the first to introduce an interchangable Super Post as a standard item as well as the Gyro Module, Stand-alone Monitor, quickly disconnectable center post, drop in Camera plateform, true 24 Volt system (okay second as the Panaglide was first) and many more things not available to the Steadicam Community until the Master Series Steadicam. Besides George Paddock, Chris Haarhoff and Bob DeRose, Mark O'Kane, David Emmerichs and Ted Churchill were named additional Designers. (As Ted is not named on any patents, he was closely involved with the development of the monitor, and some technical aspects.) "Guineapigs", Testers and first Costumers were Chris Haarhoff, Mark O'Kane, David Emmerichs, Ted Churchill, Jimmy Muro, Andrew Rowlands, Colin Anderson, Steve St.John, Randy Nolan, Bob Ulland, Greg Lundsgaard, Scott Sakamoto, Mark Van Loon, Rusty Geller, Ian Jones, Jim McConkey, Mark Emery Moore, Rick Raphael, Bob Gorelick, Dave Knox, Guy Bee, Dan Kneece, Dave Luckenbach and a couple of others that I can't remember off hand... And again please feel free to correct me or add anything that I missed or compleatly screwed up... please... Here a 1993 picture (from an old GPI add), showing Mark O'Kane's PRO. With: 3A Gimbal, Donkey Box 1, Scissor Monitor Arm, 3 cable Center Post, Preston UHF and the original Leightweight Panaflex. I believe the rig is Serial #002. (Chris Haarhoff used to own #001, which went to Kurt Jones and now is owned by Brian Hart.)

Here a highly modified Universal Model 2, (I believe it's David Emmerichs old sled, his PRO's Center Post is the identical lengths as this one) It's closer to a 3, almost as good if not better then a Model 3... All the nice upgrades: - single 1.5" DCE telepost. - 3A Gimbal - stand alone Monitor with Scissor arm. - etc... Nice work. That's what Bob's work was all about...

Here the Manual for the battery upgrade:

8 plus cart. (Charles! Stop laughing... I know...) Travel set up: - Sled, Gorelock, PRO Springs (Pelican 1650) - Arm, Hardmount, Gyro case (Pelican 1650) - Vest, back up Cloths (Pelican 350) - Batteries, Charger (Pelican 1550) - AKS, FF, etc. (Pelican 1610) - Overflow, Back-Up Cables, etc. (Pelican 1600) - Super Post (Fishing-rod case) - Gyros (Seahorse case) Town set up: One large Cargo Van. Build on a cart... for quick getaway's... (Thanks Rusty!)

Here a closer look of the moded Universal Model 1, alla Bob DeRose.

Bob DeRose Bob DeRose was building Cinema related equipment and modifying Steadicams from the start in the 70ies through the 80ies and into the 90ies. He was the go to guy if you wanted something modified or made up from scratch. (Lowmode Brackets like the 35-3, Sushi table for the BL, Camera Plates, Wrap Grips, charger upgrades, Arm Posts, Post Clamps, Docking Brackets and Rings, Dog Bones.... you name it). He made the first alternative to the Garfield mount. Basically all the PRO AKS up to this day have there orgine in Bob's "tinker parts" from the DCE accessories for Steadicam. I believe that almost everybody that ever owned a Steadicam owns or used to own, aware of it or not, at least one piece made by Bob DeRose, check your kit and tell me I'm lying. DeRose was modifying Model 1 (changed the angle of the sled so you could see the monitor better and he offseted the batteries for better balance) and the model 2 (lost the second post and added down the post wireing, made dynamic balance possible) and retrofited Model 3s to a down the post wireing including a telescoping Centerpost, introduced the underslung/sandwitched upper Junction Box, for and aft adjustment at the bottom for Dynamic Balance for Model 3 and later for the EFP's. The original Donkey Box (Now known as the D-Box 1) was originally designed for the Steadicam 3A, to replace the unpopular top stage, in 1992 by Chris Haarhoff and build by Yogi in Arizona and sold through DCE and by Chris Haarhoff himself. (Bob based the Camera plates around the 3A plates minus the gears). One of the first costumers was Ted Churchill. (I'm saving now time that I wasn't even aware I was wasting before...) Stortly after the merger of DCE with GPI, Bob DeRose retired and left the Film Business all together. He moved to Minesota, bought a farm and is now restoring and selling antics. He is from time to time back in LA to visit friends... Please feel free to correct me or add anything that I missed... please... so it can be passed on (correctly...) for generations to come... Here an early picture of Bob with one of his "creations", a highly moded Model 1 with the unique Battery offset and his 2" Wrap grip.

Stephen, Stay tuned for upcoming posts in the "Journals" section (because, I can't post pix in "Gerneral Discussion"), titled: "Bob DeRose" and "Paddock Radical Options" I had some time between two jobs, but bare with me they are just quickly from the top of my head, so allow for some paraphrazing and omissions as well as for some forgotten/wrong info... I will try and include some pictures. Fly safe...

And nicely folded for shipping...

Here the info for the Company that makes the Yaeger Cart. Maybe somebody could see if they would be willing to make some mods to accomodate us... Bug them a little... Maken Material Handling Yaeger & Sons 20908 Currier Road City Of Industry, CA 91789 Phone: 909-594-6640

Here the pictures for the Video Transmitter Discussion in "General Discussions"...

Oh found pictures... Why can't we post pictures in General Discussion?????? Darn... you can find the pictures under "Modulus pix" in "Brackets/Widgets" Just a quick response on the forum... yeah whatever...

Still have mine... 818-448-2639: Cell

Modulus 2000 versus Modulus 3000 The easiest way to tell them apart is that on the outside the word Modulus 2000 is Yellow and the 3000 is Green. Also the 2000 has no Heat sink as the 3000 gets way hotter and needs one. The main difference between the both is the power output. Modulus 2000 - .250 Watt (- .950 Watt or more) Modulus 3000 - .750 Watt (or less) Range: 2000 - 250 yard (with booster up to 10 Miles) 3000 - 500 yard As the 2000 was the first one build by CIT, the outputs and ranges wary very much. They where sold as .250 Watt but more then once I saw them put out way more than 1 Watt. Depended on the day they where made and what components they put in (it seamed), they out perform the 3000. Also a regular 2000 is 12 Volt only unless upgraded, but that is only necessary if you power the unit from a 24 Volt Camera Body. The other difference is that you can use a Booster with the 2000 but not with the 3000. The Modulus 2000 Power Booster: It's basically a second Modulus with a huge Heat sink that is daisy chained to the 2000 and raises the output of "Field" to way over 1 Watt. (2000 output is .250 Watt) It's good for transmission up to 10 Miles used mostly for Helicopter work or to penetrate a Concrete building (and radio it down... I guess). Not very many made it into the field, as the 3000 was introduced shortly after. It's a rare item and only works with the 2000. It comes down (again) to preference I know a couple of operators that love the 2000 and threat the day that there unit get's damaged or they have to upgrade... the 2000 is quite easely "upgraded" to 3000 specs. But after all the work it ends up being the same price like a new 3000. Hope that answers your question. BTW: The last time I checked, there were 7 versions of the 3000 and 5 versions of the 2000 over the years, plus design and hardware changes... The biggest difference would be the 2000/3000V (Video) that has also sound transmission and time code but comes as 12 Volt only and the 2000/3000F (Film) which only transmits Video but has over Voltage protection up to 30 Volts. The Video is usually ~$300.- more... Got to run...

Try that for a riser (See picture) they also have Vest holders, etc... unfortunately they never update there website... (And no I'm not getting a dime from them, for the design or the referals... damn I'm doing something wrong...) As for the Yaeger cart.... lately many AC's, that I know, are swithing to it, it's very rigid, light, turns it self into a case, great for shipping... and the whole thing consists of 10 pieces... and the prices are very similar with all the AKS that you need... BTW: Backstage is makeing a similar style cart...

I know I have the Pictures... ehm... I mean, Charles I'm trying to help you out here...

You think??????

Hi Eric, I don't miss the lower two, I never use them anyways... No, I would miss the top one the "Carrying handle", how are you putting your Vest in the carrying bag, or holding it while opening the car door, etc... It's in the perfect spot almost in the CG of the Vest. I don't like to hold the vest on the suspenders... an AC dropped mine because the buckle let go... his comment after I told him that he just dropped a $9000.- piece of equipment into the sand: "Oops... sorry..." Just a thought, I have mine... what do I care... right?

Ted Churchill was very close with Bob DeRose at the time. He designed/made the sales Brochure for DCE (DeRose Cinema Engineering) in 1990 under the "Churchill Graphics" Banner. And also was tightly involved in the design of the stand alone monitor for the new PRO 1. Ted also designed/wrote/draw up the first PRO manual in 1993 (again as Churchill Graphics, he also wrote some of the manuals text with his destingtive wording . If I recall the story right, then George thought a manual was not necessary...Ted thought that the rig should go out with a manual... so Ted made the Manual. Stories... Rumors... Fairy tails....

Who's that fellow behind Dave McGill? That would be you... I knew I had you somewhere... Not that bad looking...

Garrett with The Steadicam-35 (CP Brochure, May 1976)

That's how it looks when a Princess watches Sesame street...

Vest maintenance... I had washed the pads of my DSD/Klassen Harness a couple of times to get rid of the white salty sweat stains, but the main result was, exept of getting rid of the stains, it also got rid of the color. My pads are now pail gray. They don't pick up odor at all, not sure if that is the result of the special foam they are using, they don't smell bad. Anyhow... I found that the easiest and quickest way to get rid of the stains is to take the pads out (if you want you can also leave them in place) and use a shoe brush (or any brush with harder brisels) to get rid of the stains, works like a charme. It looks like freshly washed exept for the "fresh tide smell"... Just a heads up.

It did. Today. 3 1/2 Months after I was called in for an emergancy "fill in"...

Maybe...

This one is for Michael Stumpf... I just finished this week, working on two commercials here in Santa Clarita... for what do you know... Canada. They will only been shown there... Chris Ivins worked on a couple of Commercials destined for Mexico... shot here at El Mirage... Just FYI.... It goes both ways.