Rob Ruscher

Great advice thank you Daniel. Yeah it was all shot on DSLRs and looking to get away from that. Add shooting when the sun goes down and hence the need for shooting wide open. The shots that were searching for focus were handheld but again, looking to get away from shooting on DSLRs (at least all the time)

Alan I think you misinterpreted my tone with what I said. I am taking what Janice said for next time and see where she is coming from. I respect who she is and her advice but don't have to agree with every word. I won't post 'test' or practice videos on this forum. Eric good call with the slomo. Definitely not a reel, just a first test but will make sure I don't do that next time. Headroom and composition is what I have been working very hard at have seen some improvement. Thank you.

Thanks Elliot I will concentrate on head room for the next time I get practice with the rig. Great advice. Janice I appreciate your first comment and that will help next time I have the rig. However, I disagree with what you said about posting a video of my practice. If I did not post, I wouldn't have gotten feedback and wouldn't have learned what to do next time. I find posting work is a great way to learn, network and get jobs. It has worked for my career as a DP and camera operator and have a feeling it will work for this. I just feel you can't learn only by reading and watching others. Again thanks for the initial comment as I will use this to improve.

Thanks Janice. My experience level is about a 0 for steadicam. I had it for a weekend thanks to my rental house and decided to shoot something other than my apartment and courtyard. First time tracking someone with it (other than a glidecam). Not too much was planned other than locations. It was more about getting steady shots and feeling comfortable in the rig. Head room and framing will be what I concentrate on next time. Thanks for the critique!

Thanks Andy that would be great! You going to NAB this year?

Just got the edited piece of a video I did with a few friends. Would love any critique, advice, or whatever else. About half is shot with the Scout while the rest is handheld.

I'm definitely in. Sunday night is pretty jammed but any of the days during the week would be great

Sounds like it will be a great year. Any interest in meeting up and grabbing drinks? Would be great to meet the people that I've been learning from

Awesome! Got up to 16 people on the list already!

Alfeo if you'll be in the Tiffen booth I may come by with some questions on the Scout and even try it on. You there all week?

I'll make sure to stop at both of those booths. Eric, do you know the times and subject of your talks? Definitely interested in checking that out.

Wanted to see if anyone was making the trip to NAB this year. Would be great to meet you guys and even organize a group meet up one of the nights.

I am based in Alexandria, VA. Are you still looking to sell?

I am working on a new Twitter list of Steadicam Ops for another way to learn from others. Anyone active on Twitter? My handle is @RobRuscher and the list I am working on is https://twitter.com/RobRuscher/steadicam-ops Hopefully others can benefit from this as well

Cool thanks David. I lived in Arlington for about a year and know I'm in Alexandria and working in Old Town. And I think we are talking about the same rental house! Well said.

That does seem a bit high but for here in DC, that's my only options. I think the Zephyr is $250 or $300. I definitely see where you are coming from. I'm just trying to do it right without going bankrupt :)

Not sure if this is the right place to post so please let me know if it should be place somewhere else. (First topic post) I am located in Washington, DC and wanted to see if anyone out there is looking for an assistant on their steadicam projects. As much as I want to attend the SOA workshop in Philly, I don't have $2600 to invest right now. If it is the right opportunity where I can learn a lot, I'm willing to travel. I bought the Steadicam Operator's Handbook and have learned a lot but learn a lot better when onset and hands on. If anyone has recommendations to who I could contact or even if you would like an assistant please let me know. When I started learning how to light, operate a camera and 'see the room', being on set is where I learned the most. On a side note, if anyone can recommend other workshops on the East Coast that are not as expensive as the SOA, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I have to admit I have used this rig before but before you start telling me I'm a disgrace to steadicam operators everywhere, there is a good reason. The rental house in my area gets tons of (Red) operators saying how they want a Steadicam rig. At the time of this increase they only had a Zephyr and Scout. Half of the time it would come back damaged, scratched, dropped whatever. So they decided to buy a cheap chinese knock off and only allow professionals to rent the Zephyr and those with solid experience to rent the Scout. I think that is a great idea and helps out the rental house. I've been able to try out both the Scout and Knockoff and although I am a noob, I could see why the Scout costs more. However, I do like having the option of learning the basics on a cheap rig and can rent for only $150 for the weekend while I save for a real rig. Not a bad training tool and helps out the rental house.

Thanks Mark and Alan. Both really good points you have made. I'll look in the DC Market and see who's willing to help and even look for assistant jobs. I am hoping with more training, a lot of reading, and a workshop or two, I can get to a point where I can charge the normal amount.

I am new at Steadicam and coming from working with a Glidecam for the past couple of years. Figured a rates topic would be a good place for my first post on this forum. I am curious on where I should start out for rates. I'll be mostly flying a DSLR and EX3 on either a Scout or Pilot. I don't have wireless focus or a fancy monitor (just a basic 5"). I don't think my skills nor equipment justify a large rate and at the same time I don't want to undercut the field. I was thinking of charging my camera operator rate or possibly DP rate but wanted to get some thoughts on how to come up with my rate. I am based in Washington, DC (I realize location is a factor). Feel free to PM instead of publicly posting. Looking forward to learning a lot from this forum and continuing my skills. Best,