chris fawcett

Hi Matteo, I'd be interested in other people's opinions on this, but for me, it has too much a feeling of ending rather than beginning. Maybe it's because I've been asked a lot to do shots of following people, and I'm a bit sick of them. I'd far rather see an actor's expression. Obviously, if there's something of storytelling import in the frame, following can be dramatic too, but I don't feel that is the case. You are close to the stories, so from a narrative perspective, you can probably read the shots in better detail, but for someone coming fresh to your showreel, this series of walking away shots may look a little anti-climactic. Remember that a purely perfect shot from a technical point of view might be interesting to your peers, but for the people that are going to hire you spectacle is important too. All the best, Chris

Hi Thomas, If you mean 'too big' in terms of optimal viewing size, there's a discussion of that on this page: http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=9953&st=135 In that sense, I don't think it's too big. If you mean 'too big' to fit on your monitor bracket, maybe yes. The 6" Transvideo fits (with the addition of 2 rubber washers) on the standard 7" monitor yoke. You might need the Ultrabrite monitor yoke instead, but I can't conform this. Best call the Steadicam factory and ask them. Good luck! Chris

Hi Thomas, I've used it a little. It's a wonderful monitor, of course. I don't think it's too big. It fit the Clipper I flew it on very well. Between it and the 6" is really a personal choice. I think you'd be happy with either one. Chris

Hi Matteo, I'd maybe change the shot order of your showreel, so it doesn't begin with a series of people walking away from the camera. Apart from that, it's looking good. Keep working on it! Chris

Great intro, Welcome Twojay!

Caveat: I could be mistaken here... I used it when I was in the Amazon for 5 weeks, but under normal conditions, it's just unnecessary. Mind you, you live in Norway ;)

Not recommended unless you are taking the arm into extreme conditions. Sparing drops of Teflon lubricant is better: http://www.radioshack.com/pwr/product-reviews/Cables-Parts-Connectors/Chemicals-tape-adhesives/Oil-lubricants/RadioShack/p/2102643-Precision-Oiler.html

Jacques from Transvideo has said he'll be happy to supply a Titan HD for a comparison test. PM me if anyone wants to follow that offer up. All the best, Chris

And drooled extensively over it. Still rock solid. never a drop.

It's in the eye of the betrollder.

At what point was someone a troll? You were given friendly useful advice by everyone. Are you referring to another thread? That would be me. I must admit to having taken greater offense at lesser transgressions, and of having caused lesser offense by greater ones. I am curiously unaffected by this one, though happy to offer an apology. Chris

Hi Thomas, I've had both. I obviously went for the Evolution, because I figured those extra features would come in useful, and they have. It's more of a DP toolbox, I guess, and though most of my work is regular operating, they are still handy to have. When it's a trade off between gear fetishism and money, gear wins for me. I just uploaded the relevant brochures to this directory: http://steadivision.com/transvideo for you to peruse. Happy Christmas, All the best, Chris (the forum troll) Fawcett

Now I really regret not coming... I regret going...

Hi Thomas, That would be me. You need a set of these: http://steadivision.com/transvideo/Archer_Kit.jpg Contact Transvideo and ask for a set of centre-of-gravity brackets for Steadicam Archer/ Clipper. Ref the link too. when mounting, make sure the screws you use are not too long, or you'll damage the casing. You're going to love that monitor. All the best, Chris

http://tinyurl.com/38rfsyy

Hi Thomas, I think you should ring Transvideo directly with your question. They are very helpful. And I'd like to hear the results of your enquiry. All the best, Chris

Hi Thomas, I don't do live broadcast. You should P.M. Hervé. Here are a couple of his posts on the subject: http://www.steadicam...indpost&p=53966 http://www.steadicam...indpost&p=54014 Though I can tell you something about the robustness of the construction (as well as the signal). With the Rx high on a stand, an AC tripped over the video cable bringing it crashing to the ground. The housing got gouged, but it still works perfectly. All the best, Chris

Welcome Luc!

Hi Daniel, I agree with Jay. With the dollar so low, it works out about the same attending a US workshop. The next EU workshop will probably be in late spring/early summer in Denmark. Just do it! Chris

Guess it would work in low-mode ;)

Smart socks are great, though I keep loosing them. They send me cute postcards from Spain, Thailand, wherever. Smart...and nice.

Wow Oscar, Love it. Chris

Hi Marco, You can do both firmware and software upgrades yourself. You'll need a PC, or Windows on your Mac (Bootcamp, Fusion, Parallels) to do it, but it's no big deal if you are a little computer savvy. I can send you the upgrades if you like. Email me through my website, below. All the best, Chris

Hi All, I was lucky enough to work with Larry McConkey recently. I learned a lot from him, needless to say, but the most important lesson was observing his attention to detail. A host of tiny obstacles that I would hitherto let pass he would meticulously eliminate. A dozen seemingly unimportant workarounds that I would be content to shoot with were unacceptable to him. Day after day, he would refine his setup to get it approaching as close to a perfect configuration as he possibly could. Dynamic balance was paramount. With the Pace 3D rig flying 2 Alexas on his U2, he clearly had a problem with the stage nosebox. He removed it (a few screws), and reconnected it with a ribbon cable, so he could use his stage motors (also high up his list). Then the rig was close enough to the post that a battery on the back of the horizontal Alexa was enough to allow him to achieve DB. I agree that whip pans are out of the question, and would have agreed that DB was not so important until Larry convinced me otherwise. All those details add up. I leaned another couple of 3D DB tips recently. First from Valentine Monge via Philippe Bordelais. We probably all know the trick of rotating the stage through 180 degrees to get that pesky nosebox (if your rig has one) out of the way. Valentine turns his stage through 90 degrees and hangs the 3D rig off the side, getting it close to the post without hindering cables and connectors. The second tip is from Philippe himself. Since the weight of a 3D rig is usually forward of the post, he raises the batteries and lowers the monitor such that the normal DB configuration is reversed. It's now: camera forward, batteries up and back, monitor down and in. Because the post length should not be long, even with heavy 3D setups, the monitor need not be too far away. The main limiting factor is arm clearance for the batteries. Not all rigs can do this, but by Sunday evening, mine will. Fly safe, Chris

Light camera, light rig, and keep moving! I find being in the same position most tiring. Although I remain in missionary, as much as possible, for the sake of my shots, if on a long take, I vary the camera position relative to my body as the situation allows. A change is as good as a rest, we say. Chris