Hi all !
I would like some advice about the usual behavior of an assistant during a backward walk. I made my first paid work a few day ago. We were two steadicamers preceeding two people during an ITW, short focal, easy... (even if i hadn't install bubble due to last minute exchange of monitor)
The result when I saw it was pretty horrible: headroom, stability, frame, horizon, all was ugly as if I never hold a steadicam before. I'm even more unforgivable than the sled was heavy, with digbeta, another monitor etc.... The feeling when I was alone, reharsing, was very steady yet.
BUT: i worked with my steadicam training companion as the assistant (which he never did before) , and he hold me so firmly (almost want-to-operate-instead-of-me-feeling) than I almost falled back or pushed on him during the real shot. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING during a one-shot take of a big business Leader.
So, given I never worked with someone holding me before, is it normal to be gripped so firmly than I could'nt move freely when someone is supposed to guide your way back?
When I talked about this to my assistant, he told me he did so to avoid me touching people around (who were numerous, given the space was open to press people).
How do you manage this ? Establish a code like touching the operator the side he must go or so ?
Thank you:)