Bryan Fowler

Hi Mike, Welcome to the forums. There may be some in your area, but I would reccomend attending the workshop that Tiffen puts on in Penn. The instructors are top notch, and are people that have years of experience, with heaps of time saving tips. If your employer is willing to pay for the workshop but not the transportation, I would strongly suggest to do whatever you can to fill in the gaps, and attend the PA one. Maybe you can say, "i'll pay fo the hotel, if you pay for my flight. ... or whatever. I drove 12 hours for my workshop. It was cheaper than a flight at that time. I ended up doing something like that, and just gave my employer a few days of "rental" of my gear for the hotel cost that they had to pay. Your situation is different i'm sure, but at least it's a thought. Remember, you get the keep the things you learn there, wherever you work. The tiffen sponsored workshop that I attended with Jerry, Jay, David and friends was quite good. Well worth the money. I'd reccomend it highly. Hope that helps. Oh... I talked with an OP recently that has been operating for 8 years. he attended a workshop last year, and said the workshop helped him find a lot of bad habits taht he was able to correct. He said he wished he could have gone to a workshop earlier, to save the years of trial and error. *shrugs* just a thought...

Might be a simple question, but... What's the ideal weight for a blue spring EFP arm? I've talked with filks about the sweet spot for the springs, and just wondering what I should shoot for. 25lbs? 35? 15? I should say that I'm counting sled, FF, Canatrans, all that stuff in the weight. Thanks! (i'm flying an A-minima, so I'm trying to figure out if I need 2 of my weight plates, or just one.)

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I put them on my Lifesaver Dual charger, but it wouldn't charge them. I figured it was because of the low voltage, and the charger didn't think they were worth charging. I charged them with a friends IDX charger, it rejuvinated them, and now they charge fine on the Anton at home. I have some 4pin XLR power cables, but not sure where I can find some female versions of what are on the end of the BP-95. I guess Radio shack is one option. Are they special? Also, would I be able to just add a 4 pin onto the existing pigtail? just use some wire nuts, and basically make a Y. 4pin for powering the latte machine, and orginal plug for charging? Bryan Oh, or are they worth selling, and getting some bricks that I can use on the rig.

Usually I have found that if I have any discomfort after docking the rig, it's because my posture isn't good. It happened a lot when I started operating. Now it's not very often at all. Now, I get tired, but that's because i'm out of shape. =) Recently I did a 2 hour live shoot, with a 10 min break in between. Part of my vest was poking out more than the rest, and I was really sore in that spot. It was something I didn't notice when I was in the rig for 10-30min, but after 50min, it seemed to become noticeable. Chris Fawcett has a good article on posture that might be worth reading. Like Imran said, how long is a "long" shot for you? if it's 2 hours, it might be a different answer than 2 min. =) Also, where is your pain? legs, hips, back, neck, eyelids. *shrugs* just wondering. "Doc Fowler"

Ah yes, a photo might help. Here is a link to Adorama's page on them. And a photo courtesy of the above mentioned page. =) I guess I didn't know what they were used for, so I didn't know where to start thinking. There are no mounting plates like Bricks, no external connectors like NP1s. They just have that pigtail. I've quickly tried IDXs page, and they do'nt have info on them. There is a plug on my Anton Bauer charger that looks like it will fit, but i'm nervous to plugger in there. I guess the charger won't charge it if it doesn't want to. [[uPDATE]] I plugged it in to the Lifesaver Dual, and it didn't start a charge cycle, (flashing red-green-red-green... which means it's either too low of voltage, or won't charge it because it's all uppity and aloof. =) [[/uPDATE]] If I snip off the tip of the pigtail to put a 4pin on, how would I charge it? Thanks for the help Rob and Chip. Bryan

*cough* No ideas huh? I'll wait a few more days and if nobody can think of anything, I'll post them for sale. Bryan Oh, I should clarify...good ideas. =)

Thanks David, If I had to rank the list of things to change, I would put narrower wheelbase top of the list. As it is now, It's not very easy to get down by the side of the "shaw." But maybe that's normal. A pole pad might be nice too I guess. My wife suggested a puppet head at the top of the pole. =) I do feel stable in it. It might be because of the low CG, or the wheelbase, or the weight, or all of the above. here is a link to a page about it. Clicky Click Now if I can just find a job that needs it. =) Bryan

Ok, so we had a shoot planned for some running, and then some more running, and topped off with some running. I?d much rather ride than run. My friends and I looked at David Groves, and all the others we could find, and thought we'd build our own. My welder buddy, we'll call him David2, was going to help make one out of good old fashioned steel. But His father and grandmother were in a bad car wreck, (his grandmother died, and dad is in ICU), so another friend helped me with this one. It's made out of plywood, gas pipe Northern tool wheels, and a summit racing seat. Most hardware was purchased from ACE Hardware. So, since we were in a hurry, and only had about an hour with a MIG machine, we welded the center post, and that's it. All the rest was wood, glue and screws. It's heavy, the wheels are to far apart, and the seat is to low (the wheels are to high) and it needs a foot rest / don't-fall-forward thing. But it will get the job done. Also the pole it to high, and the socket block needs to be pulled down a tad to be comfortable. Total spent, minus the socket block and aluminium mounting bracket (I had it from a previous vehicle mount) $215 Time spent: 5hrs I have three more photos here One Two Three Just thought peole might be interested. Now I'm off to whip it with a chain. Bryan

Hi, I'm looking for reccomendations for make-up artists in Atlanta, Knoxville, or Nashville. Anyone have favorites? They'd have to be able to travel to Chattanooga, TN, which is about 2 hours (depending on what city you are in) Thanks for the help. Bryan

Simon, Welcome to the forum. Take your coat off and stay a while. *grin* -Bryan Oh, by the way...there is a not well known tradition here of new members buying me a milkshake. (the ice cream and milk kind) Let me know when you are in Tennessee. =)

I've seen steadymove used in a couple of super 16 student films done from a local film school. I knew what clips there would be in advance. The steadymove clips were much much better than the shakey camerawork that was origonaly shot. And didn't seem to be distracting. I would imagine 20% of the people watching knew the difference. Projected on a 2K Christie projector. But yes, it still isn't a replacement for good camerawork. It did however save them thousands to have to return to the location to get some key footage. *shrugs* and for $100.. not bad. I'm keeping my rig though. =)

Yeah, my father called to say he saw that as well. Was that you Guido or Patrick? Zooming around making people look at you? he he... I told him i might know the op. He thinks i'm cool. nice dad to have. =)

Yeah! if it did, I'd put my logo over on the left, and after a few seconds, I'd have it pick my nose....all sneaky like. so people would assume I'm a professional, but yet fun! =)

SOLD thanks for looking (i'll leave the post for others researching selling prices) ----------------------------- I have a Seitz follow focus package for sale. In good condition. Not used very often. From an EFP steadicam package. Batteries were recently recelled (2 weeks ago), but have a cut on the side. Comes with: Seitz package: 3 channel transmitter / receiver / power amp output junction box / batteries & charger / manual / 2x ziplock bags with air from my house. Hedén motor: M26p with 3 gears / bracket Cables: 10in power cable 24in powercable 2x 24in 6pin motor cable 6ft runstop cable (2pin lemo) not sure for what camera 9pin serial cable. Here are some more photos Asking $1500 OBO Or possibly a trade for something cool of equal value.

I guess I'm missing it. Why is it funny?

I have a couple of new BP-95dx batteries, (they are a few years old, but still in plastic) and not sure if I can even use them as a steadicam op. since they don't have any mounting points, and just a little pigtail for power, nothing popped out at me. I took basic electronics in school, but that was 10 years ago, and i don't want to mess up anything, but i'm handy with a soldering iron. Any ideas? -Bryan

Hi Chris, Welcome to the forums. I took a workshop a year ago, just a couple weeks after getting my rig. I really enjoyed it. The instructors were generous, and patient, the other classmates were helpful, and the environment was beautiful. I ended up taking a second one just a few months ago, that was just as good, if not better. (thanks heaps to GB) I felt like the workshop gave me at least 2 years head start on someone that just picked up a rig and tried to figure it out. In fact, I spoke with an op this last week that said he has been operating for years, then went to a workshop. He found out his co-worker that had taken a workshop years before, had been telling him the wrong things. Stuff they didn't even teach at a 'shop. So he was able to fix some things he had been doing incorrectly. So it's always good to get the info straight from the horse...no offence workshop instructors. =) The cost was something I was concerned about, but it's well worth the money. I was in a group with 2 others from London They shared my excitment with attending, and never once said they regretted the trip over. (Hi Danny and Imran) If you decide to attend one, try and work it out so it's near the time you have a rig to practice in. I imagine that one thing that helped me, is I was able to come home, and hop in my rig and recall / practice stuff. If I had 4 or 5 months inbetween workshop and rig, the info would for sure not stick as much. Good luck! Let us know how things go. Bryan

Thank's Alec, That was speedy. I was hoping they would be a couple of hundred dollars, at least until I could let a job pay for it. Would a consumer receiver be worth the money? like, something I could pick up at best buy? I usually don't like getting less than the best quality of stuff. It's even hard to suggest it. =) ta, Bryan

I have an old Lentequip UHF transmitter for my rig. Right now I use a handheld LCD TV for receiving the signal. I'd like to have a receiver that will give me a video out, composite or whatever. So that I can (or a renter) get a better signal than what I see on the tiny LCD. I need something fairly soon, any ideas? Thanks! =)

Hi Kyle, A workshop (2 day or 6 day) is great. I've been to two, and the second one was even more helpful than the first. It's well worth the money if you plan on flying cameras for a living, or even part time. As for the flyer, (and even a flyer workshop) contact Peter Abraham through this site and he should be able to hook you up. Peter's a great teacher, operator, and all around nice guy. Also, joining the SOA is good too. Jay Kilroy can help you out with that. What camera(s) will you be flying?

In that case, I'm a minority. And I spell my name like Trieb too..

Horray! happy flights, and good hunting. bf

Good luck with the Tshirts. I don't need any, but I know they will be wanted by some. Numbers 8 and 9 are the only ones that start to appeal to me. I would be more interested in an icon, phrase or pattern that only a select group of people will understand. Like "3 sec Droptime" or the outline of a gimbal. *shrugs* At any rate, good luck! I agree. I've been reading these forums since before the format change, and it seems it's becoming a little ridgid. I do like the added topics, and subforums. Thanks Erwin. And really...there must be a better way to correct someone, or tell them they have "broken the forum law" than to demean them, tell them what the "local" guys think of them, and/or call them childish. Personally, I don't need to be reminded of how tactless, and unkind we humans can be. I get enough of that at work. =) Fight in the alley, not in the courtyard.

Guido, Lovely case job. Did you cut the foam yourself, or have someone do it for you. Also, who makes the cases, and how thick are they? Just wondering how much protection they offer on the top and bottom. ta.

I'm looking for a 1600 Pelican case, hopefully with dividers. Or any old case pelican case you might have. Doesn't have to be in pristine condition, nothing else I own is. =) I'm wanting a pelican to match what I have already, so it stacks well..etc. Or even just the dividers if you have them. Thanks