David George Ellis

David Ellis... He's a new guy I know out of NY. Oh wait, he's me. Hey Nikk, I'm one of the Brown Party delegates. Pretty much hanging on the tree, still green. But ripening. I haven't met any black ops. as of yet, but that's life :D I was the only one out of a class of 16 at the workshop in Chester Springs, PA including faculty and staff. With the exception of the concierge at the hotel.

It seems that being a black operator gives you, I and others out there a unique distinction when you show up to set with gear or hint hint and wink wink to people about what you do. Pretty much in the same way as one would a black hockey player. Then again, I'm sure our caucazoid (how did caucazoid become a word?) and mongloid :huh: brethren get the same or similar responses. Then again, again...

Though new to this, I notice the difference in levels of respect when of I grip vs. the few times I flown. One moment, I'm schlubbing all sorts of gripology to and from the truck, drinking stale coffee and whut-not. The next moment, I'm being pampered, having warm baths drawn for me and drinking Cristal from the Holy Grail, etc. Well, maybe not as fabulous, but still notable.

Hey Meg,

First thing for me was meeting the right person who spoke to me about the ups and downs of being an operator. This just solidified my decision to want to become one of the few, the proud, the hardcore. I know, sounds like a Navy commercial, but still, it's cool. Next is to find operators in your area and talk to them. See if you can come on and shadow them as they work and ask questions as they come into your head. They're all great helpful people in a niche sector of this mussed-up industry.

The second most important thing is to take a workshop. I just took the one Jay had mentioned earlier in May and after it was all said and done, I came home with a more internal understanding of what it means to be a Steadicam operator. The more and more I live in that thing, the more I love it. There were 16 of us and one was a woman who, as far as I believe, did very well in this male-dominated field.

The MOST important thing you should do is look in the mirror and ask why do you want to do it. I mean, you have got to be crazy to want to strap 80 lbs. of metal, widgets and volts to your body!!! As long as your intentions are pure of mind & soul and not just in it because you heard you can make a lot of money doing it. Other than that, FUCK SHIT UP!!! Pardon my American. The French have been blamed for so much. The Canadians, too for that matter.

I hope that being a newbie myself, I was able to help point you in the right direction. If not, I'm sorry for letting you guys down. Well, get to it and we'll see you in the Forum. :D

I find this impossible to pull off unless the "seller" wasn't paying attention. As a buyer of stuff, I can't see anyone in their right mind be willing to pay $5,000 commission on anything other than a house!! I guess it just goes to show, buy what you know and sell what you know even more of. <_<

SUP Grayson,

I'm interested in your Hill Docking Bracket for my 3A. I also have a little of a jones for your vehicle mount as well. But for all intensive purposes, I've got the PA workshop coming up and I definitely need the docking unit. Not so sure about the veh. mount yet. Please get back to me ASAP. That would be deluxe!!!

Thanks brah,

David Ellis

516-978-1151

Hey Erwin,

I'm intersted in the Hermes receiver. I wuz wunderin' if you stil got it. I'd call, sit and chat with you right now, but I gotta run and get like 80 Mother's Day gifts. I'll call you later.

AWE crap!!! I had a car accident yesterday (ooooo, I felt so prone) and had no idea y'all were gonna be there Thurs. Fagaga. I'll show up today and hope to run into some of you guys. As soon as I get a rental...

I would definitely go if I knew where it was. I'm in the city more or less everyday and at least it would give me more of a reason to stay there. If you guys can give me an address or a link to find it, it would be much appreciated