JamieSilverstein
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Posts posted by JamieSilverstein
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Brian;
I can only speak for the East Coast, but when a 600 film or TV show is being shot, the EPK camera and sound crew must be members of their respective Unions. If they are not members, the Union reps are quickly notified......
As for the amount of hours necessary to maintain health care, the Union has fought long and hard to keep the hours the same and in fact it was the Union's efforts in the past that increased the bank of hours to 450. I was not in the current negotiations, but I do read and listen to the news, and I understand that nothing is getting cheaper, ESPECIALLY health care in this country. That is one of the reasons that we elected the incoming President. The health fund must continue to be funded, and if coverage costs go up, so do our costs. Lobby, protest, demand better health care for the nation.
400 hours amounts to 40 ten hour days in a six month period. That is probably less than one majors movie, or a sight portion of the grueling schedule of an episodic show. I only mention ten hour days as a convenience. The reality is that most of us work upwards of 12, and often 15 or 16 hours a day, which is good for health coverage, bad for our health. If you average a 12 hour day on a movie, the number of days needed shortens to 33. Honestly that is not a lot of days for coverage that costs nothing in terms of monthly payments.
If I were king, I might demand that the days get shorter, the result of which would be less need for our extremely comprehensive health plan. There would be more days needed to complete a show, and thus more man days available for all. Lobby our Union reps for better and better working conditions, safer environments and shorter work days.
When I sit and listen to what my friends, regular civilians, outside of the film and tv industry pay for health care, I am astonished. People with regular jobs, working a 45 hour week, with 2 kids, paying $1400.00 a month just to be covered.
We have really hard jobs with tremendous pressures to deliver all of the time, regardless of condition or difficulty. A lot is on the line when we pull focus, operate a camera, or light a set. I still believe that ours is still one of the best health situations available regardless of the demands on our souls, psyches, and bodies.
Sorry for the long winded diatribe. I respect the indignation regarding the change in our health plan, but I think that perspective is necessary when talking about it.
Respectfully;
Jamie.
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Amelia;
I owned a Masters arm for several years and I just recently got a G70. What I usually do is put the ride almost to zero on both joints. I balance the lift to where both joints are at a 10 degree angle upwards. I test the arm to see that the joints are in synch with each other, or balanced. I then remove the sled and adjust the ride to what I think will be appropriate for the particular shot (slow walk-almost no ride, vehicle mount- heavy ride). I then put the sled back on the arm and adjust the lift again, making sure that the joints are where I want them to be.
I hope this helps.
Jamie
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HB AJ!
I owe you a call.
JS
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I'm lowering my asking price to $9000.00 OBO on the arm and sled case.
Give me a call. Check it out. Make me an offer.
Thanks
Jamie
917 796-4217
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Just one more note:
I should mention that I am in the process of buying a new arm, so I will gladly entertain all offers. In other words, I am motivated to sell the arm.
Thanks
Jamie
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I am selling my tried and true Masters arm.
Cosmetically it is in good shape with the usual scuffs and nicks on the covers. Mechanically it is in very good to excellent shape. It has never been damaged, or exposed to sand. I have had it maintained by Rob Luna for the past six years. It was cleaned and put into tip top shape two years ago, and 5 years ago I replaced the older elbows/trunions and bearings, with newer bearings and trunions/elbows, so the arm is pretty much updated.
Included in the sale are several posts of your choice (depending on the post size of your Gimbal), an arm bag, and a Calzone case that holds the arm, a set of Antlers and a Garfield mount (Antlers and Garfield mount are not included in this sale.). The case is in very good condition and has a laser cut interior that holds the arm snug and secure. The case alone is probably worth $250.00.
I am asking $9500.00 or best offer for the Arm, Posts, and Case.
If you are interested, feel free to give me a call.
If you are in the New York area, or are planning on being in the area, come by and take a look at the arm.
I will post pictures soon.
Thanks
Jamie Silverstein
917 796-4217.
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Just looking up from a week of long days (working) to see all of these very wonderful birthday greetings. Quite the surprise! Thanks to one and all.
Here's hoping that Bartell comes home in one piece, plus sombrero.
Jamie (no wiser just older) Silverstein.
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FYI: I've talked to Rob at Nebtek today, they have received the new batch of Blackbird monitors. They are going for around 4K including single set of Framelines & they are Truly Daylight visible (military grade coating), MK-V's re-housed version is 8K.
I own a Blackbird and I love it! At $4000.00 it's not a bad deal either.
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Luis;
For all of us Master arm owners, it might be useful to take pictures as illustrations of what you are describing......... It's worth a thousand words (or so they say).
Jamie
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I hate to be on the wrong side of an argument but this isn't the first time......... Ahem...... like the shot, I like the storytelling, and I think that it isn't detracting from the narrative.
All of you are right when you compare it to Carlito and Good Fellas and Bonfire and The Player. It's not that kind of shot, the intention is different, the mood is different, and the desired effect is different.
I appreciate it because it gives the viewer the sense of the moments that are happening all around. The viewer sees not only the emotions of the main characters, the viewer gets to see and feel the environment, in an uncompromised way. I felt very involved in the actions around me and I felt the ebbs and flow of all of it.
So if I were to evaluate the shot from a Steadicam perspective, yeah, its not like those afore mentioned shots, its different and still, FOR ME, effective in portraying the saddness and panic and frustration in a real time way. With a very nice operating feel.
Just my point of view.
Jamie
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I have an Encore sled case that you can have for the price of shipping from NYC to LA. A great case with handles and latches that make it really convenient.
Jamie
917 796-4217
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I think that Brad is right. The AMPTP walked away from the table demanding that certain items be removed from negotiations. The Writers Guild filed unfair labor practices with the NLRB, and to my knowledge, the case is still pending.
To date, Worldwide Pants and Universal have signed agreements, which I also think shows the willingness of the Guild to do business, and get everyone working again.
The bigger question in my mind is this; is it better to get back to work now, with possibly a bad contract (regarding residuals in emerging markets) that might affect us all in future negotiations, or is it better to stay out on strike for a while longer and fight for the best contract possible? Remember; Union DPs, Steadicam/Camera operators, and assisitants who have enough hours to be on the Hollywood Basic health plan have one of the best plans in the industry and possibly in the country. That plan is subsidized by "Post 60" residuals. So we too rely on residuals......
Just some thoughts.
I hope everyone is ok in these lean times.
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What is the best monitor arm for rigidity? I have a PRO monitor arm with a TB-6 monitor and am getting some vibration. I've seen one that is a solid post. Which one is this and which is the best?
Thanks
Dan
I've got the same combination on my rig and I can't believe the vibration is coming from the PRO arm. The problem probably lies in the plate under the TB6. I believe Tom Gleason (818-769-9370) has made a beefier or longer adapter plate which captures a few more mounting holes on the TB6.
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I've found it. Reading the manual helped.
Does anybody knows what happened the IMP Company, I think it was sold?
Jens
Might want to ask Howard Smith at MK-V. He sells their monitor with his gear.
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Yep, it's a Horita.
Works great. Nice and simple, one in, two out, runs for hours on a 9v.
Michael Jones
pardon my ignorance, but what did you need the DA for? All I see is a direct link to your monitor.
I must be missing something.
Jamie
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5 Day Steadicam Workshop. January 2008. London.
The GBCT (Guild of British Camera Technicians) are running another 5 Day steadicam workshop in starting January 14th 2008 at Panavision London.
The course will be taught by Peter Robertson, one of the most experienced Steadicam Operators and tutors in the business. His feature credits include Atonement, Harry Potter, Die Another Day, Bridget Jones Diary, Tomb Raider 2, The Beach, Hot Fuzz, About a Boy, Sahara, Notting Hill and many many more.... He will be ably assisted by Barney Davis, another experienced Operator and tutor. Peter has over 20 years of experience as a Steadicam Operator, and has taught many workshops in conjunction with the NSCTP (National Short Course Unit at the NFTS).
The teaching module of the course is based, historically, on the steadicam theories of Garrett Brown (the inventor) and Ted Churchill (an early pioneer of steadicam and operator of some repute who first formulated steadicam teaching methods). It demonstrates equipment from different manufacturers, showing the relative merits of each system without favouring one or other. It also places the role of the steadicam
operator within the role of the camera operator in general.
This intensive theoretical and practical course will provide training to a high professional level in the use of steadicam operation for use in feature film, documentary and television production. By the end of the workshop participants should be able to confidently assemble, balance and operate steadicam in various modes and configurations. Each day will consist of lectures, demonstrations and intensive practical exercises with various steadicam rigs.
It is suitable for experienced camera people looking to move into Steadicam, and new/intermediate operators looking to move up from lightweight systems to 'Big Rigs' for 16mm & 35mm camera systems.
The course has a maximum of 8 places, and there are a few still left. Get in touch with the GBCT office asap for more details.
Cost £750 for GBCT members, £1000 for non-members.
The course will attract Skillset subsidy for UK freelancers (www.skillset.org) of up to 70% of the course, travel & accomodation costs but applications for this have to be in 5 working days before the course starts so get your place booked ASAP!!
www.gbct.org
admin@gbct.org
+44 (0)20 8813 1999
That sounds like a great course! And it's subsidized for UK Freelancers!!!!!!!!!!! Man that is sweet.
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A sad, sad state of affairs indeed. That loss of credit only reinforces the Producers goal of winnowing away each job category, one by one. If we don't help ourselves (have operators, operate and DPs do their thing) we are just feeding ourselves to the wolves........ The worrisome part is that today it's the operators, several years ago it was the still photographers, and next.......... who knows.
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I have to side with Brad here..... It's not popular to take the WGA's side in the issue, and I'm not 100% convinced that the strike is all for the good, but there are several issues that have weighed heavily on my mind of late.......
1) If the argument is about emerging markets, and the talk has been about the AMPTP giving writers $250.00 per streaming segment, after a six month free period, then, I have to tell you, that is patently unfair. In reading all of the press releases from the WGA, AMPTP, IATSE, as well as LA Times, NY Times, and Variety, the AMPTP has been pretty stingy with its offers.
Here is the crux of the problem; Yeah we don't have work now, and we might not be able to get our families their 52" Plasma this xmas, but I'd rather scrimp this season, and know that my contracts, which are based on the contracts of our Union brothers in the earlier contract negotiations, will be worth the paper they are printed on. In other words, I am not all together comfortable dissing the WGA outright. They might just be fighting the fight of our future............
Face it, those 52" plasmas will be connected to our computers in no time. We will be streaming media and downloading programming without a thought. Networks will be pretty forgotten, and production will be done by the six big companies, whose contracts with the Unions were forged early on, when streaming and downloading were in their infancy. In other words, think about the future when voting on the present.
2) I hate seeing the tit for tat rationale. "Well they don't support us, so why should we support them"...... Isn't that what producers want us to do? Fight amongst ourselves? Wasn't there a merger of the IATSE and NABET 15, in 1990, so that we didn't fight, and instead, unite? What about the merger between Locals 644, 659, and 666? Wouldn't it be a radical notion if all unions came together, like all producers do under the umbrella of the AMPTP , and negotiate the best reasonable contracts for as many members as possible? Call me crazy, or any thing else you might like, but that is the idea of unionism, at least in my mind.
All I'm trying to impress upon you guys is that I believe that there is a lot more gray than there is black and white. There is more to it than just going back to work. And there is more to the issues than meets the eye at present.
Just some thoughts. Have a great weekend.
Jamie.
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Claus;
I happen to have an extra case in my house that used to house my sled. I'd love to give it to you if you are interested and it works for you.
Call me and let me know.
Jamie
917 796-4217
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I have a used XCS Frame Line Generator if you are interested. Send me an email if you want to talk about it.
Jamie.
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I have an Encore case (very much like the Anvil case) that might fit your needs that you can have for the cost of shipping. Get me the dimensions and I'll send you the particulars. If it fits your sled, its yours. All you might want to do is put some new foam in it. Let me know.
Jamie.
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Rick;
The Blackbird is a Hummingbird monitor made and distributed directly by Imp electronics, although I believe that Markertek now distributes them in the US. The only difference between the Hummingbird and the Blackbird is that the Blackbird has a Limo connector and a frameline generator. If you are referring to the monitor that Howard Smith has modified, I have no idea about what he did and what is available. I can tell you however that I have Greg's level and I have not experienced any problems between the monitor and the level related to Chroma, or anything else .
Secondly, I can't believe that there is no Chroma/color adjustment on the monitor. Even the most rudimentary monitor has an adjustment for the amount of Chroma you desire in a specific setup. No chroma adjustment is almost like telling me that a monitor has no brightness or contrast adjustment. It seems to me that if you want and need an optimal image you have to have Chroma adjustment available somewhere on the monitor to help regulate the signal being sent to you from the source. What do you do if you want to look at an image in black and white?
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Mark/Rick;
Why of course the monitor has a Chroma adjustment. At least the BlackBird does.. First of all turn the monitor on...... then
1) On the right side of the monitor is a button labeled Menu. Press Menu once
2) You should see Main Menu on the top of the new page. Underneath Main Menu you should see a series of options. Find "Image Setup".
3) Using the two buttons above the Menu Button, you can scroll either up or down. Scroll to "Image Setup". Once Image Setup is highlighted press the Menu Button again.
4) You are now on the Image Setup page. Scroll down to "Color" and then press Menu.
5) On the Color Page, you can either increase or decrease the Chroma (color intensity) by using the buttons above the Menu Button.
6) Once you are satisfied with the color press ESC until there are no more menu prompts, or go to the Exit command on each page and hit the Menu button until there are no more menu pages on the screen.
I am normally a knuckle headed analog kinda guy (exception being my Mac), but I found these menus pretty easy. With a little familiarization, you should too.
I really like this monitor.
I hope this helps.
Jamie.
NO! to 400 hours
in Legal / Business Practices
Posted
Kris;
I agree, it beats digging ditches for 12 hours a day, but when you are operating on a movie whose schedule depends on your being able to make a shot that you might not be able to pull off; that is when the pressure starts to mount. Combine that with the 14th hour of the day, that started at 3 pm and the #$@%^$# sun is coming up, and it is 17º out side and your toes are now officially frost bitten. THAT is when the job is hard, the pressure is great, and the demands are high.
Still, after almost 30 years in the business (yes I am an old fart, who has been around too long), I can't think of another/better way to make ends meet. Now if I could just the feeling back in my toes............
Cheers;
Jamie