RonBaldwin

fun to see -- but not to sure about some of those car mounts!

you are not too old...it's just a shame that they have taken tv's cue to spice up bad writing with cuts.

that's some serious rig flinging! I want to see that scene to see the framing/accuracy.

nice trucks!!

I was at Pro when Tommy "performed" on cue so we could all study his BM. In it we found dog hair, a tooth, a gerbil claw and bits of a credit card. Jack gave him a raise when we pieced the card together and saw the name...Shawn Sutherland. But if he discovers the dog hair is Dexter's he'll give him the hangover treatment

Funny how much info there is available about levels and what we need/want and sensor placement, yet few pay attention and actually act surprised when we tell them what they just came up with isn't exactly what we want.

This is like watching a train wreck...I cannot take my eyes off this disaster! We have dozens who are among the most experienced ops in the world saying one thing, and a guy who's claim to fame is stirring up trouble on forums and utilizing tools from the profession he should have been in to make a homebuilt stabilizer (which many here have done btw...and it doesn't make you an inventor just an imitator) and who shoots weddings saying another thing...the same thing...over and over and over. I understand both side's frustration...the pros understand that they were once stupid, impatient and inexperienced so try to be patient and respond with experience and understanding how things work. The mop wielding wedding photographer cries foul because in his inexperienced mind there's no way he can be wrong -- and anyone who sees things differently are obviously afraid of "his" ideas of using a new-ish device (he has not even seen in person) that will somehow make us all obsolete. The best part is that the Freefly guys (who make the afore mentioned "steadicam op delete device" that the mop and bungee genius is jizzing all over) said things similar to what we have been saying. But of course they are wrong too! Then there's "Barry"... It's all good times (except the spit takes)

What is funny here is that this guy wants to be a steadicam op and A. thinks it's only about physically moving the sled around and B. is demonstrating what a moron he is on the primary international steadicam forum. Welcome to the community pal.

If I recall correctly the issue of your innexperience and us old farts whining and mumbling arised when you claimed it would be better if the dp controlled the camera operation, not the physicality of mounting one of these on an arm or sled (which, like the Alien - around in the mid-90's - solved some issues but created a whole bunch of others). Not to mention it was really never perfected. Someone should talk to Colin Hudson who did the new Robocop movie. They put something like this on his sled for Robocop's pov and I don't think it worked as well as Colin just doing it himself. The response is always faster and things can be anticipated when right there on the camera and not 15' behind or tucked away in a tent. Watching all the swatting at this gnat is getting tiresome. Maybe I'll go back to set and get back to work while the gnat stays here and tries to stir theoretical bs up and rearrange the set duties.

I have both a pro and a klassen. Love them both, but I have nore stamina with my klassen. Never had an issue with doorways. The back mount does put more stress on the arm's socketblock. As far as health benefits!? rb

Words to live by.

There are several threads here and on a steadicam fb page that discuss this. Nobody is refusing to experiment, but we are refusing to jump on the game changer bandwagon and say this thing will change life as we know it and the whole crew structure that has proven itself over time. Aparently a cautious and "let's wait and see from experience" attitude is now considered mumbling and whining.

Peter where did you buy the big gear? and does it help with stiffer lenses? I could be remembering things totally wrong (the usual) but back in my seitz days I remember the bigger gears making the motor weaker/less poop

I contemplated going idx a few yrs ago...then (thankfully) I used a bunch of gear on a show that was exclusively v-mount. The batts performed fine...when they stayed on the equipment.

I just run in don juan

With your gross misunderstanding of how the gear works and how to run the set efficiently, there is nowhere for you to go but up -- I think you'd make a better producer than operator. Though, your ideas are inspiring...after the holiday I'm gonna take my dolly grip's monitor away because there's no need for him to see the frame anymore, I will just tell him to go in the direction I am panning. It's so insane, it just might work. I will also try to stop my mumbling and whining and find you an operator close by to take a page from your book of reinventing the wheel

Shawn...here's a tactic for you -- go to a set (a real set) and hang out for a day. You obviously don't get it -- which is not a slam, just a fact...we were all there when we started. Where are you located? I am sure you can visit a set and observe. If you are in the NYC area come hang with me. I don't think anyone here denies that the movi is a really cool thing...but like everything else it is a tool in a toolbox not the messianic second coming to cure all camera-movement ills. Sure you could put it on a steadicam with someone else controlling pan/tilt but to do really intricate and repeatable shots in a timely manner there would have to be serious coordination/communication/rehearsals between the steadi/dolly grip and the dp/op. There is a reason the lenses are so wide in all the videos...it's not a precision instrument, room is needed for slop. Of course that may improve with time but then the handheld nature of the movi (when, of course, not mounted on a steadicam) will be most apparent. none of what I have said is new...except my invite to come hang out and see first hand what is usually expected from an operator and dp and who does what and the communication and sarcasm needed to accomplish a day's work and get home safely with the lead actress.

hmmm...must be why dp's are always grabbing the gimbal, jumping onto the dolly, controlling the techno or ultimate arm on the porsche? Wait...don't see that. Control freaks or an operator sucking balls might lure a dp to the camera? Maybe that is why every dp YOU work with wishes he/she can control your shot? I will notify the dp's I work with to learn the joystick because I am demoting myself to dollygrip and therefore will no longer run the set, set shots with the director, work with/help the actors or hit on the extras. That being said, a dolly grip will make or break an operator and is a key person to rely on...but the last thing he is doing is all the duties of an operator.

Exactly

Alex, beware of anything that was in contact with that basement!

awesome pictures -- and great job getting your monitor co-planar!! You must have been picking tumble weeds outta your crotch for days? I like the look on everyone's faces..."how does it just float?"

I was being serious! I love Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman is...well...perfect?! I consider myself the same btw (not perfect (!)...but a journeyman making a living)

Kris...i checked ut your IMDB page and was most impressed with your stint on Jimmy Kimmel from '03 to '10! So...do tell some tales of Sarah...

a shot of the possible perps:

I have no words to express my gratitude!