Eric Young
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Posts posted by Eric Young
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This may be a very novice question, but I'm curious to know how a corporation has such control over the rates of a freelancer? I realize it is a give and take situation - the productions need crew and the crew needs work. However, I would imagine it is similar to discussions we've had here about working for reduced rates. If nobody is willing to do it, the rates won't go down, right? Simple economics? I'll admit ignorance regarding the way things work in the UK. Are there factors there that are unique? Whatever the case may be, even if it does only affect ops in the UK, it still makes me a wee bit uneasy.
Best to all,
Afton
The BBC is probably the biggest single employer in the UK media industry - as such it sets a benchmark which other companies will at least reference when they set their own rates. There isn't so much work around that everybody can just keep saying no to the BBC, except perhaps in the short term.
The unions were very much weakened during the Thatcher years, and governments since then have not given back any power to the unions - which is both bad and good in some ways. However, the BBC does still recognise unions in their pay negotiations, so fingers crossed that we can throw these proposals out the window!
Also, as a publicly owned bureacracy, once a new rate is set it applies across the board (unless you really are exceptional, and the production absolutely demands you and no other) and it's well nigh impossible to change it!
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He was supposed to walk into a stage build sewer, flooded with 1 foot of water and dead rats swimming in it , he suddenly had another shoot and recommended me, but neither he nor the production told me about the sewer shot...
Should that be live rats swimming or dead rats floating? :D
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And don't forget.., the Flyer is also available in a nice 24 volts, HD monitor package !
Best, Erik
Yeah, but quite a bit more expensive!
You might also consider the new Glidecam V25. Weight range covers what you want, and is dual arm. I love my Flyer, but wish the max load was a bit more.
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Great link Sandy - a very interesting read, and proof that rich people almost can't help getting richer!
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Hi Matt
I finish work around 3.30pm Friday. Take me about an hour to get up to Elstree I would guess? Just emailed my registration.
Any good for you?
Eric
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To all the UK ops.
Gonna' be at Elstree with the MK-V AR, Nexus, & Lite & an exclusive UK showing of MK-V Hire's latest aquisition, the 'Hands-Free Transporter', this Friday and Saturday! (17th & 18th).
Best Chris McGuire
Going to try and get there from work Friday. Can you give more detail about times and exact location please?
Thanks very much!
Maybe see you there Matt?
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That'd be me! I wish I was getting lots of interesting paid work, but sadly not quite yet. <_<
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Great site Afton.
I hope the copyright issues don't cause a problem. It may be worth adding in the introduction that the site is completely non-profit making. To me it appears more of a sign of admiration than an attempt to profit from other's work but I hope the copyright owners feel the same way.
Just a suggestion - which in a way I don't like - but you could make the site password access only. No need to be secretive about the password - it could be freely available to users of this forum. But that way it's less open to the general public and not search engine indexable - so copyright owners may be somewhat less concerned about footage being easily accessible by the whole world!
Or you could just leave it as a possible compromise if the copyright police knock on the door...
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Hi Afton
Just submitted the awesome backwards running up stairs "mirror" shot done by Greg Lundsgaard from Contact on your Steadishots site. Haven't seen the film in ages, but it's still one of my all time favourite films.
As long as you're soliciting submissions - any chance of a "Shot submitted by..." field - first come first served. It might prove an incentive to contribute. :D
There's another sequence where Jodie Foster is running from her car to New Mexico's VLA (very large array) radio telescope range control room in the desert. It's actually a running shot on location, seamlessly joined together with a running shot on the control room set! Don't know who the operator on these shots were as both Greg Lundsgaard and Mark O'Kane are credited as Steadicam Ops on IMDB. No doubt a study of the actual full credits may give a clue (by their location). Can't do it myself as someone borrowed my DVD and still hasn't given it back!
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Mikko, Nils, I'm not certain about the copyright issues. I suppose if some exec somewhere wanted to be a hardass, he could probably give me a headache. Even then, I believe the worst that would happen would be a cease and desist notice. I'm kind of hoping people will have more of an open mind about it.
Hi Afton
That's a very well put together site, and an excellent resource. You've obviously put a lot of work into it.
Even if you get a cease and desist order and have to remove the footage, the references to the shots would still be useful for operators and tutors of Steadicam.
Perhaps it would be good to have a time and duration with the shots so that we can find the shot on the DVD of the entire film and look at it in context too. And this would also work if you have to remove the footage.
Regards
Eric
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what do you mean by DIP switches? you mean changing channels?
Shouldn't theoreticlly my 2,4GHz receiver be able to tune one of these channels in? I am really confused about that...
DIP means "Dual Inline Package" - see here:
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/DIP_switch.html
Without knowing which receiver you have I'm just guessing that it tunes to other frequencies in the 2.4GHz band than the four available to the Raycar. Think there can be as many as 15 channels in the band. although don't quote me on that!
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Hey guys,
i just bought the tramistter from JayCar that you were talking about...i do understand my receiver is not a really good one, and by no means am i saying this transmitter is either, but i am just wondering if you know why i am not able to tune them in together when they are both 2.4Ghz, same format items....
Looks like the JayCar has 4 channels in the 2.4GHz range. Have you tried switching between them using the little DIP switches?
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Maybe you can post a link to some footage with the problem.
It's hard to guess what else it could be, after all the suggestions already given, without seeing the problem.
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Aloha,
My name's Tony LeHoven . . . I've got a Flyer and am based out of Kauai, Hawaii. I've been shooting with a Sony HDV Z1U for about 8 months and have noticed a very visible high frequency vibration in the recorded picture. I tried shooting in both HD and SD but still have the shaky quality especially when moving fast or running. I mounted a Sony VX-1000 DV camera on the Flyer and the image is as smooth as butter. I borrowed my friend's Z1U and got the same problem. Lastly I mounted the camera on some foam between the base and the sled but there was even more vibration. I think it's a transport issue since the VX-1000 worked well. I also tried using the steady shot yet the vibration is still there along with the expected jerkiness from the steady shot trying to compensate.
Has anyone else out there experienced this problem with a Z1U? It seems to be super sensitive to the smallest vibration. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for any replies . . .
-Tony
OK, you've had the problem on two different Z1s, yet I've used a Z1 (UK model) on three music videos on a Flyer with no problems other than my novice Steadicam operating! It gets worse with foam between, and it's not the steadyshot, which was my first thought, but you've tried it with and without and it hasn't cured the problem.
I did find that attaching the quickrelease plate to the base of the Z1 wasn't perfectly flat due to the camera mouldings and rubber pads protruding slightly. This means you may have to tighten the mounting screw slightly tighter than at first feels right for a secure mounting. Obviously do this carefully, and don't go overboard on tightness as you could damage the camera mount socket!
Are you shooting at the wide end of the lens?
Is it there if you're just locked off on a static?
Is it actually vibration, and not some sort of shutter effect?
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But to be honest, a little jealous overhere..
I'm jealous too Matt!
Hope to catch up for that drink when you're down London way.
Cheers
Eric
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Hi UK Eric,
I use Allan Chapman and James
Never had to make a claim so can't comment on their willingness to pay out! But they know what they're talking about and aren't too steep.
Get a bit of hired-in kit insurance too- believe me it's well worth it!
Ben Spence
Thanks Ben!
For comparison - Does anyone else have other UK insurance recommendations they'd like to share?
Eric
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Eric:
Check out the Steadicam policy Walter P. Dolle Insurance Agency has. This special policy is underwritten by Fireman's Fund. You can speak with Tonya Reaves at (513) 421-6515. I know of several operators, myself included, who have their rigs (and other equipment) insured through them. Good luck.
David Wolf
Hi.
Any recommendations for equipment and public liability insurance in the UK?
Thanks for any info.
Eric
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Good advice, fellahs. Another fine reason to always carry a coupla pair of latex or better yet Nitrile gloves in the kit. The good purple Nitrile gloves have textured fingertips and are non-conductive. They also fit like a glove. :D
Peter Abraham
New York
Ha ha! :D Was going to suggest washing up gloves because their readily available and protect the forearms too - but thought that would be too much like encouraging Beau to "have a go"! Also, washing up gloves obviously aren't designed to protect against very high voltages, so there's no guarantee they are sufficiently insulating.
I still strongly advise against doing it yourself, Beau. So glad to hear you are going to get qualified help!
Eric
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Thats two questions but verry interesting mikko
:D
I started a little discusion on my other fave forum if anybody cares to follow it's progression
Would welcome any more info as it appears!
-cheers
Well spotted Mikko. Exciting developments indeed. Pity they're a privately owned company - I'd be buying shares right now!
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We have a 'rule' of real names on the forum. We are all profesionals and friends. We prefer to know who we are talking to as comon curtesy, that's all.
A little late now as you are allready signed up, but we'd appriciate a name in your signature. :)
- Mikko
Yes. I signed up before I realised the "real name rule" too! There should be a way to edit your forum name - like you can update most of your other details.
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Norbert is correct, but didn't specifically mention there are very high voltages (from 100s of volts on the big capacitors, to 1000s of volts in the EHT areas) in a CRT monitor!! Now most modern CRT monitors are designed to rapidly discharge these when switched off, so in theory you should be fine if you remember to do this. However, some monitors have electronic "Standby" power switches rather than true hardware power switches, so just pressing the on/off switch isn't guaranteed to cut ALL power when you are rummaging around the insides with the cover off. The only way to be sure would be to remove the power source completely (the battery or power cable).
During the trial and error cycle of switching it off, waiting for the EHT to discharge, removing the power source, loosening and adjusting the yoke, retightening, switching it on, checking the picture, switching it off, waiting for the EHT to discharge, removing the power source, loosening and adjusting the yoke, retightening...etc, it is very easy to forget to remove the power source at some point, resulting in potential danger. It's happened to me repairing a studio monitor, and it wasn't pleasant, but I lived to tell the tale!
I really would NOT recommend doing this unless you are very sure of what you are doing (or preferably a qualified electronic engineer like myself!), and are fully aware of the potential dangers. At the very least, don't work on it alone. It would be sensible to have someone else present who knows how to treat someone who gets an electrical shock. (The biggest risk is heart stoppage if electricity goes across the chest - so using only one hand to adjust the yoke and not touching anything with the other will reduce this particular risk somewhat)
Regards
Eric
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Sorry to hear that such a long established UK company has gone under.
Robin - Glad to hear that you have something to fall back on. Good luck with the new position. Guess you'll be moving to Oxford!
Best wishes.
Eric
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Ummm let's not get started on the Aladin piece of garbage. It's neither a Lens control System or a Focus device. It's an abortion. (I know I spent 6 months with two of them "controlling" iris on a HD series, they don't work)
Can you elaborate on "don't work"?
What about the Chrosziel Mag Fox - any experience of that model?
Thanks for any info.
BBC Rate Change
in Legal / Business Practices
Posted
Yep. Everything is expensive in London, and forget about buying a house cheaply!