Alex Kolb

Thanks so much! These work pretty well moving around?

Hi all, I'm helping a colleague look for an inexpensive way to go for wireless Standard Def tx/Rx. The application is very specific, short distance, line of sight. Any suggestions welcome, I'd be happy to try to answer any questions. Best, Alex

You can use the online aspect of the software at autopilotuser.com.

Karsten Jacobsen was also the associate director to the production.

Job, I absolutely love that software! I've been lobbying to get it on to the show I'm on for quite some time now. Very handy that the camera ops (at least those on the pedestals) can see the timeline, too.

There was again some fantastic Steadicam work on Eurovision this year. My particular favorite was this long take on the song entry from The Netherlands - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWe8PRsW4T0. Best, Alex

In regards to tally and return, you'd take the return from one of the video outs on the camera, and for tally, I believe it's only wired to take a photoresistor input, but if I'm wrong, it may also be able to take a direct feed if you have the right assortment of cables to get the tally signal from the different sorts of cameras one will encounter. Best, Alex

Very cool Eric! I was on a society project in London just last month, not quite as formal, but after a week in a suit it had me longing for my broadcast attire. I'm with Will in trying to wear polos over t-shirts. Sometimes it's the little things which make the impression.

Sounds like a lot of money, weight, and opportunities of mechanical failure to accomplish something that can be learned with practice.

Hey all, I know that in addition to Steadicam, a lot of people on the forum also do remote head work, either for broadcast or film. I'm looking to expand my skillset into this area (primarily broadcast oriented, joystick control), so I was wondering if anybody here could point me in the direction of some sort of training offered to this regard? Thanks very much, Alex +1.715.271.8029

Hi all, I have a show coming up working with a new assistant. They were previously a cable utility, so they're new to the job, not just to me. This got me thinking about what I'm expecting from them. Just putting an open question out there for the TV ops here - how do you like to work with your assistant? I know some people like their assistant holding the vest at all times. I myself have always gone for a selective approach; guiding me going back or on unevens, but hands off the rest of the time. Thanks, Alex

Hi all, Just a survey of sorts for all the operators here. In my meeting up with local operators wherever projects may bring me, I've found that a lot of them have a personal touch on their rig. A decoration, a stuffed animal on monitor bracket, etc (perhaps a hip flask in some cases!). Just wondering if you guys have anything non-technical that you keep on your rig for one reason or another? Best, Alex

Also, adding to what Osvaldo said, if the system that fits the bill doesn't have camera telemetry, there are add-on systems. Best, Alex

Look at it this way - some of the first posters did not answer your exact question, becaus they were unfamiliar with the specifics of the consumer systems you mentioned. However, they did take the time to address a concern that they saw. I'd say it's pretty nice of a couple of seasoned professionals to take time out of their busy days to share some wisdom that will, once you start shooting, be obviously necessary. Steadicam operators are first and foremost camera operators. That means thinking about lenses. Also, a tip from me (a not-so-seasoned professional): every shot should be important, and you should never let your expected outreach determine the quality of work you do. I spent my first two years in television at a community television station. In the first few months, the shows I was assigned to probably had an audience of five. But if I had done anything other than my best work on those shows, I would still be there now.

Triax is all-inclusive, and will bring tally to the camera. The fiber setups I've worked with have been the same. Wireless is a different story. Older transmitters didn't have integrated telemetry, so there are small separate systems that can be used. Most transmitters designed for broadcast have full telemetry these days, but that's something you'll want to figure out with the video engineers before you get to set.