Kris Torch Wilson

Dude, You need to take a man pill! LOL Torch

Come on Rob, the white hair was Philbin. JM You know it wasn't me. I always wear a cap. Even at the Oscars! Besides I was hiding in a corner. Torn meniscus, can't squat for awhile. The white hair was indeed my mentor and friend Bill Philbin. I doubt anyone would argue that he is the best handheld operator to ever pick up a television camera. At least no one with knowledge of what we do! As for the wireless, I asked Hector why they were not using it and he just rolled his eyes. I guess that means money. Hard to believe that's an issue on this show. We had 22 cams this year counting the jib outside. How about the tower cam in the pit? Interesting move at the end of "Falling Slowly." Eastwood is now vending them as well. Kris

Sorry to call you out but that's Hector. Impressive that a 63 year old still humps the beast through five days of rehearsal including a 3 1/2 hour dress the day of show. However there is a partial picture of Dave in todays L.A. Times. Kris

Who needs writers.! We are friggin hilarious. Or not. This is what happens when dozens of semi gifted "artists" are left to entertain ourselves. Please settle WGA fools, it can only get worse.

Looking at grips big biceps. "love you man" "lisaglav" "smooches" I guess I forgot to mention, the path should also not be through West Hollywood. Torch

[My biggest issue is going to be securing where the two triax meet on the vest... Anthony, I have a Triax/coax adaptor hard mounted behind my shoulder. I made a little box, but if you are using an inline adaptor you could use a hose clamp. Screw it into the vest and make it semi permanent. Place a couple inches of 2 inch Velcro in front of the adapter. Take the other piece and sandwich the coax as a strain relief. Half way down the back of my vest I attached a beaner with a zip tie. Put the triax in the beaner to keep it from slapping. Just be careful not to restrict the rip cord on your vest. Just in case! Screw sprokets...Embrace the tether!!! Torch

Good Morning, Hope everyone is surviving. I had to chuckle at the part in the video about the whopping 20 cents all "other" unions receive on a dvd sale. First, I'm not sure I would call those contributions residuals, and even so, say there was 100 below the liners, we would each get 2 tenths of a cent contributed to our Health and Retirement. I can't wait to write my kids' college tuition checks knowing I have that kind of cash in the bank. Ready for this to be over Torch

If God hadn't intended for us to eat animals he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Shoot to kill. Torch

Good morning all, Everything is about to be rewritten (no pun intended) because of this strike. It is already playing into the hands of the bean counters. The top ops will still work and probably get their rate but the lower end shoots will have their choice of operators. The banks don't care if the writer's strike, they still want us to make our mortgage payments and the ones for the fancy cars we had to have last year when we were fat. When faced with foreclosure one will indeed take anything and that's sad. I have stuck to my rate and intend to do so. But if this thing goes for several months, its every man for themselves. On the bright side, it may very well wean the weak out of this business. Survival of the fittest. Maybe an idea for a damn reality show. Unemployed operators compete for the right to shoot the next crappy reality show. Screw it, I'm going fishing, call me when it's over. Kris "rambling like a fool" Wilson

" What i find to be sadder is if you look at the way yahoo! reported it yesterday. They made it out like it was a relief that none of the talent was hurt or even there. Really like those of us that actually make a film aren't worth anything as comparted to the 'talent.'" Indeed a tragedy, but Jon, How could you possibly read "relief" into the way this was reported. I read all the stories by Yahoo, AP, and Rueters, and I'm not seeing it the same as you. Not trying to start something. Prayers to the family of Comway Wickliffe. Kris

No so on our show Erwin... By contract "Long Credits" must be run once a week. But you are right all operators are lumped together. Here's a twist on the original post; We get a different rate for ped/Handheld/steadi/jib. Say you were hired to do hand held and then switched to a ped. Does one still put in for the higher rate? I must admit I have depending on the production and how I was treated. Kris

Rob, I'm pretty sure the AVS system that Hector uses is the same one that's being discussed here. In fact, the same one that you'll be using in Vegas this weekend. And you're right, it is expensive. See you Sat. Torch

Mark, I've split 12v xlr's four times without a problem, given I had a big enough power supply.(not steadicam related). You are right, you wouldn't want that kind of gak hanging off your rig. If Kyle can't help you, he will pass you along to Robert or one of the other engineers at Tiffen. Kris

Hi Mark, I got a lemo 12 volt Y-cable from Tiffen. Kyle can set you up. Kris

Hi Brian, I too started operating a Steadi at an advanced age (46). I was/am a very experienced operator before donning the rig. In the "live TV" world I would argue as good as anyone. However for the first couple of years attempting to operate a steadicam, I sucked. I would again argue, I sucked as much as anyone. Just now after 4 days a week, 2 1/2 years, would I say I'm OK. NEVER would I try to sell myself on a feature. The problem/blessing of being a good operator is I know just how bad I was, and how mediocre I have become. I have thrown myself under the bus in hopes of illustrating just how difficult running a steadicam is. You will not master this quickly. You will not become OK quickly. Anyone out there that advises you differently, simply doesn't have the creditials to do so. Wow, I get tough( but sincere) after a third glass of wine. All the best with your project. Maybe a doorway dolly is in your future. Torch

Good Morning All, In case you didn't watch this week's "So You Think You Can Dance," (I have two dancer's in my house so quit laughing) fellow steadicam op, Manny Bonilla was praised by Judge & Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe. It was a very nice and rare gesture. Good for the ego. And Lord knows there are no egos in the steadi world! B) Have a great day. Torch

Hi Martin, First off, congrats on the upcoming graduation. While a degree will probably NEVER get you a job in our business, the discipline you had to go to school and 'learn how to learn' will pay off in the long run. There are a couple schools of thought that I will throw out: buy a rig, print some cards, and announce yourself to the world OR become a conventional operator first, hone that craft, and then tackle a steadicam. I am of the belief that you really must do the latter. I know there are those that have become successful steadicam operators that didn't work there way up the ladder but unless you are a trust fund baby you will have a very difficult time breaking in and paying for your new rig. I honestly don't know how guys do it. The art of camera operation takes time and training. Composition, set politics, pan, tilt, zoom, don't zoom, focus, how to say "NO" are all hard enough without having a monster strapped to your body. And when I first started with a rig that's what it felt like. Please don't let me discourage you from your goals. By all means you must take a workshop. You will get a feel for this game. The Tiffen 5 day course will give you a chance to try all of their different rigs. The 2 day course is designed around the flyer. Other companies offer workshops as well and yes all of them will tell you their rig is the way to go. After the workshop if you have the bucks, go for it, but keep in mind NONE of the shows that I'm around will give you the time of day. I'm not trying to be cruel, just honest. I work in the multi camera live television world and it is super competitive. I have to believe the film world is the same if not more so. I was an assistant for several years before looking through the viewfinder.... hated every day of it... but I am now convinced it was the way to go. Good luck...Don't give up... but be willing to swallow some crap and your pride along the way. Torch

Dave Charles was unable to keep up with me because of all the shrapnel in his chest. Thanks alot! You're supposed to wrap those old arms in burlap to prevent just such a thing. KAPOW!

Aloha Morgan, I know you are going to find this odd, but I had an experience with my Ultra 2 sled that left us to wonder. Was shooting Ozzie when just about the time Zach started his guitar solo, my sled started to hum "Crazy Train!" Now I must admit there was alot of smoke in the air and a few really attractive topless, tattooed creatures with less than a full grill of teeth that were also humming. Weird. And now I have a sled in rehab. Your 'short' looks great. Looked to be inspired by a great actor you met at the Workshop. Torch

I have to chuckle that Daniel is giving Meg advice on a question she asked 2 1/2 years ago. No offense intended I just found it amusing. What is of interest is, Did Meg make it? Are you out there Meg? I find it inconcievable that someone would be able to move from grip/electric, pa or whatever, out of the camera department and into operating on a professional level that quickly. Opps the wine is talking again. Or is it the ass that was busted for 25 years. Sorry for the rant...or not. Kris

Now anyone that has read my posts knows that I have an affection for hitting varilites that hang off the front of a stage. Well, last night was a dandy. I'm generally not a fan of dutch angles unless the framing really benifits from it. However, I have perfected the "going dutch when motivated by banging into a varilite" shot. I'm getting so good at it that our director has not caught on. Maybe its his MTV roots. Anyway, my thumb was really smashed between gimble and post. Jerry Holway was all over me to get my thumb up and now I'm blaming him for the pain. It would seem that when tilting up, say 45 degrees, and then violently rolling over 45 or more, there is little room left for one's thumb. Tonight, I shall wear a boxing glove! Kris, just when I thought I was getting better, Wilson