jay kilroy

Hey everybody just wanted to cross promote the SOA list update campaign. We think will be a big help to make our site more appealing to productions looking for an op. Just remember this announcement has nothing to do with the forum here, it's strictly for the SOA database. Give me a shout of you have any questions.

jay

February 8, 2006

Dear Members,

The SOA has begun to update and clean out our member database. Over the years we have had many members either move on to different positions within and out of our profession, as well as some members pass away. In an effort to help this task along we have come up with a new system of how the profiles will be kept current.

The new process will begin immediately with this announcement. This is the first of three alerts you will receive asking to update your profile on www.steadicam-ops.com before it is removed from our online database. You will have 45 days from the above date to update your profile or it will become idle in our system. It will remain idle until you contact us to change it. While your profile is idle it is retrievable by us, but will not be available to people using our database. Once you update your profile you will be asked to update it once a year.

We will send out reminders before we do anything to anyone?s profile. Thank you for your assistance with this. We think this update will make our database much more user friendly and hopefully more attractive to productions looking to hire operators.

Please visit http://www.steadicam-ops.com/database/soaLogin.php to update your profile now. If you have any trouble with your current profile you can contact our web administrator at support@steadicam-ops.com or Jay Kilroy at jkilroy@steadicam-ops.com.

Thanks for your attention to this,

SOA

Gentlemen,

Did we really have to beat the guy up over all of this??? Not all the jobs that are available to a guy like Jason (no offense) are the Olympics and series TV. As a new owner/op Jason has to pay the bills and this particular job doesn't have the budget for a focus puller, but it will get Jason $1200 closer to paying off his rig. Did you guys start out asking $2200 a day??? My point is, at this point in Jason's steadicam career he will not be called for the same jobs as Jeff or Eric, so don't worry about him undercutting you.

With all that said I would hate to have to do both things and basically try my hardest to get an AC on the job. If they won't do it then explain that you may not be able to achieve everything they are looking for with zoom and focus. You're not a miracle worker. So to answer your question Jason, it sounds like an expensive route to take to do something you don't really want to do in the long run.

I don't really want to start a war over all this, please don't beat me up too bad.

jay kilroy

SOA

Charles,

Not sure if you still need anything but here is a pretty good idea. Yak Traks Good luck.

jay

Ben,

Our workshop is scheduled for May 21st to the 26th in a suburb of Philly. Here is the info SOA. Let me know if you have any questions.

Jay Kilroy

vp, SOA

Alec,

Thanks for your help. I have been good, hope all is well with you. Keep in touch.

jay

Gentlemen,

I have a couple of questions concerning the Modulus 3000. Do you guys know if it has the ability to transmit in PAL format? The camera will not have a NTSC video tap. Also, does the DX 400 or 402 receive a PAL signal? Thanks for any help you guys might be able to offer.

jay

Chris,

Congratulations on the purchase. How have you been? Hope all is well.

jay

Marc,

It depends, there is a ProVid to Master Series conversion that is available. If it's not converted, it has the upright pin type of connection on the vest and the "link" looking piece on the arm with a hole. So you need to reseach whether or not they converted. If they haven't try to convince production to get one. The original ProVid style is really hard to find a good position for the pin to find a good balance between you and the rig. Not nearly as adjustable as the Masters type of socket block.

jay

Marc,

Not sure about that because of the weight of the actual sled. I know the weight of the camera wouldn't be an issue for the arm, but the total gross weight of everything might be an issue. Also the post of the ProVid is not compatable with the gimbal and yoke of the Master Series. That's nothing more than a little sleeve you can make for the ProVid post.

jay

As much as I like the prefix of Doctor, I regret that I am not one. Boy would that have made my mom proud. Do you think doctors have to do their 1st couple operations for free as resume builders???? I know Mike's website says out of stock but trust me, contact him, I was just at his house on Saturday and saw the pile of metal.

Bryan how are you? I am sorry I haven't replied to you yet. Hope all is well happy holidays.

"Dr. Kilroy" ESQ. :P

Mike O'Shea just had a run of practice cages made. They are the cages we use at the SOA workshop and, in my opinion, for what it's worth; they are one of the best cages out there. Very versatile with its height capabilities depending on how many rods you get, which is great if you are using it with different cameras. The best part, I feel, is the hole system he gets tapped, holes on both the top and bottom and they are all over the place. Separate holes for camera screws that are countersunk so they don't get in the way of mounting the dovetail plate. You can see pictures of them on Mike's website Filmotion. If interested shoot Mike an email thru his site or give me a call and I'll give you his number.

jay kilroy, VP of the SOA

215.919.4636

jkilroy@steadicam-ops.com

Chris,

How are you? Long time no talk. I saw your name here in this thread and thought you might have talked about back issues and the back mounted harnesses. Jerry mention to me after the workshop in Paris, I think, that you two had an interesting conversation about a persons back and how it was designed. I can't quite remember and don't want to misquote. Anyway I thought this might be a good thread for you to rehash some of your very interesting points to some of us that weren't there. Please?

Jay Kilroy, SOA

I haven't riden a traditional Segway, but I have rode the Handsfree. There is quite a bit more to the Handsfree then just chopping off the handle bars. I have no idea how to control the Segway, but the Handsfree is done with foot pedals for turning left and right. To get going you you lean forward to go forward and then lean back to stop or go backwards. I think if the rig and arm were attached to the Segway it would be a bit hard to control the Segway and operate the rig. I believe a Segway is controlled with your hands and handles, right?

Come on we all know the Basson system, please lets try not to bring that up, where trying to help the guy.

Jason,

You need the "F" Bracket for the ProVid. I couldn't find a picture of one to save my life. It doesn't look like the "Slanted F" Bracket that comes with the Ultra or Master Series. It's like the old "J" Bracket with the open handle. Does this ring a bell with you, I know it seems confusing to me, lol.

jay

Hey everybody,

The workshop is next week October 2nd to the 7th. Please let me know when you are coming so we can expect you. Alec and David please shoot me an email to coordinate days. jkilroy@steadicam-ops.com. It will be good to see you again David and to put a face with a name Alec.

jay

I must add that I am jealous that you are working with Ninja Tunes. They and their associates are some of my favorite producers. Congrats, I would love to see what you shoot for them, as well as the music you shot for.

I spent the weekend at CineGear this summer riding this for Tiffen. It would be damn near impossible to do a step on/step off, but I am sure someone will eventually do it.

Just for the record Tiffen did not invent nor create this "Hands Free", Brad is right the gentleman that did is name Rienhardt (sp?) and he is German. He brought it to Tiffen in hopes the would help him market it. So before you go bashing Tiffen on hiking up the price, you might want to think about the fact that these are prototypes and it's kind of hard to tag something without knowing too much on the production of it.

Thanks guys, I have forwarded the email only to the production company. If they need more I have the info from you all. I appreciate all the help. Cecric Martin actually emailed me to inform me that he bought Brad's rig 10 months ago and didn't think he was operating anymore. But thank you all.

I have been contacted by a production company, Egg Films. They are looking for him for a job I believe. If anyone has any info on how to get in touch with him could you please contact me or pass my info onto him. Thanks.

jay kilroy

jkilroy@steadicam-ops.com

"What is the cheapest way to get into this" may be the wrong question to satrt out with. I feel that the old saying "You get what you pay for" may apply here. What happens when you spend your 5 grand and you hate it and are no good as an op? Or what happens when you find out you need a workshop, take a workshop, become good and realize you have outgrown your equipment. Mikko and everyone else are right when they say take a workshop. Any workshop, just so you know what your getting into. Plus you will learn a lot more about what your options are. You have your camera package, find an op willing to work with you, yes hire him! See what its all about pick his brain. Then take a workshop. I am beginning to ramble here. Just take a workshop before you buy a rig!

Hey Brian,

Jay Kilroy here, how are you? I think the Archer is available now. It replaces the provid. Better top-stage, better monitor and way better arm. The vest have a few up grades too. Frank Rush would be able to answer any questions you have. frush@tiffen.com is his email address. Have you been operating a lot? Keep in touch.

jay

The only way you can adjust the arm is under a load. You won't be able to turn the adjust knobs without any weight on it. Have you taken a workshop? I would suggest one if you don't have any experience. You will learn bad habits.

jay

Dear Lars:

 

Make the trip to Philly.  Learning about the steadicam from GB himself is the way to go.  Garrett provides a perspective that no one else can.  Also Garrett is a very charming host.  Truly 1st class.

 

You won't regret it.

 

Neal Norton

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Neal, Thank you for the kind words towards the SOA workshop in Philly.

Lars, I run the SOA workshop, please contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

jay

vp, SOA

I run the SOA workshops in PA. We are a Tiffen sponsored workshop. It has nothing to do with "Tiffen showing off their gear." It has everything to do with what's best for the students involved. Not everyone who takes the workshops have their own gear. The SOA can't be responsible for a student using another students gear. Would you feel comfortable with a brand new op running around with your 70 grand strapped to them???? Tiffen provides demo rigs for the workshops and some instructors provide the others. The SOA's insurance covers these rigs only. We encourage students to bring their own vests, whatever make it is, as long as it works with the arms we provide. You should be thankful that Tiffen provides these rigs to teach you a craft. I think you are forgetting what a logistical nightmare it would be for all involved if you brought your own rig. By the way even though we are a Tiffen sponsored workshop we educate all involved about all their choices once they leave the workshop.

jay kilroy

VP, SOA