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Beau Cuizon

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Everything posted by Beau Cuizon

  1. Ok, I lied. One more bump This time, a price drop. I kind of want to see it go to someone who's going to use it. Make it $2750, and it's all yours. Or best offer. No eBay this time, strictly a forum sale. Drop me a line here, or email to make your offer. Beau
  2. Happy New Year to you all! So, here's a new question for 2015 -- what's the most fun you've had on any given job? Was it the challenge of a shot, or the people, or the project as a whole that made it great? Maybe it was a location, or an interesting concept, or fortunate happenstance that made it memorable? Looking forward to hearing more stories....
  3. Last Bump! ...then it's off to Adorama or B&H used departments for ol' Goldie. Yeah, I won't get anywhere near as much going to them, but the thing to remember is that they're going to put it right back out on the market, and you certainly won't get a deal like this from either of 'em! I hate to go that way, but she's got to find a new home :( http://www.ebay.com/itm/131395270066?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 It's listed at $3250 on eBay, but drop me an offer, and let's see if we can work it out! Thanks! Beau
  4. Bump! Now with ebay link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/131391243166?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 Go for the Gold!
  5. Glidecam Gold Series Arm for sale! -- 3a style arm, weight range from 30-56 lbs. Titanium springs. Titanium socket block. Good shape, clean, but used. One of the spring covers has some scratches on it, which, unfortunately, I didn't take pics of...I can if you need them. But they're cosmetic. Thing is built like a tank. Could be that starter arm you're looking for! Asking $3250, but I'm certainly open to reasonable offers. Questions? Drop me a line here, or beau800@Gmail.com! Mahalo! Now some pics!
  6. If you're looking for really, really affordable solutions you might want to check this out: Cheeseplate Base THE GOOD: Cheap (60 bucks). Very Solid. Small. Fits 15mm rails. Cheeseplate set up, lots of threaded holes. Has some forward and aft adjustments. Fits DSLR's and smaller cameras like the fs-100/700 and C100/300, AF-100. THE BAD: No vertical adjustments for rail clamps. Plastic knobs, washers (metal screws, tho). Small/short footprint. Shipped from Hong Kong, so I'm not sure how long it would take to get to you... I have one, and it's pretty solid. I used it for about a year on my shop's fs-700, and it worked fine. Never stripped any threads, or busted any screws. As for support, well...don't expect any, it costs 60 bucks. the company who makes this also makes a lot of handy little doodads, which you can find in their eBay store, most of which is of middling quality, but extremely affordable. Here's a version with the vertical rail adjustments: Cheeseplate with Vertical Adjustment Looks kinda tall, tho...maybe too tall? I don't know. Hope this helps!
  7. CHRISTOPHER: That is awesome that the guys over at PRO would honor the man, and the machine in such a way. Make sure you take some pics when you get that plate installed! JAMES: So you and your dad are both operators? That's pretty interesting. I'm sure there aren't too many father/son combos working rigs...and at the same time, to boot. I'm curious, when did you decide that you wanted to follow your dad into the family business? I'm sure there had got to be an interesting story there somewhere, filled with tales of flying vintage gear...must have trained on your pop's rig? ...sort of a side note, and random thought...I've never taken a class (hope to next year) but wouldn't it be cool if you could fly some of these old rigs at a class? Just to see how it was done back in the day, and to compare it to the gear/techniques we have available today? That might be interesting and informative for those getting into the craft...well, it would be to me at least!
  8. MARK: That's awesome stuff. I had read somewhere else on the forum, someone else refer to the vest as a "suit", and I thought it was a slang term...but I guess that's what it was actually called when they were producing these rigs! everything looks like it's in great shape, even the springs...no rust, or corrosion...amazing. EDIT: ...it was Brant's post on the last page that mentions "The Suit"..after re-reading it, he does say that CP called it such...and with with Mark's pics, we can see that first hand.
  9. *READ IN DON ADAMS' VOICE * -- Ahh, the old Tommy-Lift-On-The-Back-Of-The-Grip-Van-Used-In-Conjunction-With-A-Steadicam-So-As-To-Make-It-Into-A-Crane-Trick.... Brilliant. Really, though, I'm just hoping someone gets the reference....
  10. Yay! I'm a sustaining member now, just like Tommy suggested. This thread alone has been worth the fifty clams...for me, anyways!
  11. This has been an awesome thread -- with the stories and pictures and history, it's all been a fascinating read. I'm grateful to everyone who's contributed, and written down their stories about the secret lives of their steadicams. It's funny, steadicams always look impressive, but you couldn't ever really tell how much these rigs and their operators have gone through by just looking at them. It also seems like steadicams have nine lives (old smokey had maybe ten)..passed down from operator to operator. It reminds me very much of the days of the master and apprentice, craftspeople cultures of old. It sounds like you veterans have lived through some interesting times. It must have been a real kick to be there, as the art was evolving, and the technology was growing, and I'm always surprised that names and the tales that go with them are so vividly and fondly remembered. Well, most of the stories seem to be warm and fuzzy, anyways! There's a incredible amount of history, experience and knowledge on display here, and I thank all of you for sharing your stories with the rest of us.
  12. No apologies needed, there Tommy. At least not to me, anyways... I love this kind of stuff. As far as I'm concerned, keep posting, if you think it's relevant. I'm a history buff myself, so I think it's great that you're taking pictures, and documenting things for posterity. Sometimes the most trivial documentation can turn out to be insanely valuable down the road. And there's always some kind of story that goes with the pictures, and that's the real valuable stuff. Thanks for sharing!
  13. LOUIS: That's an awesome shot of the "Evolution of Arms"...I don't think I've ever seen an early model arm up close...that must be the "silver bones" and "door hinge" elbow that the guys were mentioning in the thread earlier. It's interesting how some things change, and how some stay the same, like the socket block, the general geometry of the arms, and the use of cables/pulleys...until the PRO arm that is... TOMMY: Thanks for posting all those pics! It was a nice touch, for those guys to put name plates and such on their gear. It's also fascinating to see those early s/n numbers as well. To think that is where the whole PRO brand, and reputation started...what are the s/n numbers up to now? In the hundreds, I would assume? Also, to echo Henry's comment...that DOES appear to be an AR type rifle in the background of that vest. Hopefully you weren't testing the ballistic stopping powers of said vest. i hear those PRO vests are well made..but to stop rounds from an AR, that would be ridiculous! Also...question for you, since you're in thread, and you seem to know a bunch about PRO gear..., and if you don't mind my asking...I understand the PRO design philosophies are a little different from the CP/Tiffen philosophies...in regards to the arms, mechanically speaking, what are the differences, and why did they deviate from what some may consider a highly successful methodology in arm design (in the 3/3a, Master/Ultra type)? I apologize if that's a noob question, but I'm new to most of this stuff, and I'm just trying to learn as much as I can!
  14. That's incredible. I always wondered what kind of beating those arms got while in use on set. i think there's even a part in the movie (after the attack in the Alien hive, where the Marines are retreating) where "Drake" uses the "Oh Crap Strap" to exfil from the his rig, dropping the whole thing on the ground. Amazing to think that a part of cinema history (on screen, no less) is still around an in use today...
  15. Wow. Thirty + years old? Are you using the original springs in that arm?
  16. Years ago, I was working on the press junket for Pearl Harbor (2001) in Pearl Harbor -- we had the whole thing set up on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis...and up on the flight deck, there was this old warbird, an original B-25 Mitchell as a static display. I had never seen one up close, and after walking around it, and after having the chance to look inside, it was apparent how well made these planes were. "Completely overengineered", the owner/pilot told me. "Could have been made cheaper. Less redundant systems. Less armor plating." I thought it was interesting, considering the company building them knew many of them would be lost in battle, no matter how it was designed. I asked him, why they did so. He shrugged his shoulders. "They cared", he said. He later flew that plane off the deck of that carrier, sixty years after it had been done the first time. I always think about that word, "overengineered", when I hear stories about 'old" steadicam gear, like the ones we hear about in these threads...which is a good thing.
  17. That's pretty awesome that he is still using the stuff that he helped design and manufacture twenty years ago. I can't think of anything I own that is twenty years old and still going strong. That would be an interesting story indeed, if Mr. Haarof was using the original PRO arm for such a technically and astetically challenging movie twenty years after the arm/sled/vest was originally made! I guess what people say is true: just buy right the first time, and you'll never have to buy again.
  18. Alright, just curious -- who's got the oldest arm working today? I always see old(er) arms for sale on the forum from time to time, and I always wonder when these well engineered pieces of equipment were originally manufactured. I'm not sure if there was any indication (other than serial number) of manufacturing date, but I thought that it would be fun to see if there are any real vintage arms out there still working hard, and making magic.
  19. That was really, really great, and very well done. And a fun watch! Thanks for posting that!
  20. Came across this video on youtube, of a guy crashing his rig. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7tXLLBGkNc I thought it was brave of him to post it. It was also interesting to see that second angle, and see how all the little things add up to the big accident. Like not having a spotter, or being fixated on the monitor. Well, maybe not so little things, but definitely separate, but important things. I thought maybe the guy shooting the second angle could have said something before the tumble, but I guess he was locked in to his viewfinder as well. Ouch!
  21. We've had some great stories over the last week, about how you all got into your first rigs -- anyone else care to share theirs?
  22. So more often than not, you'll see people selling "Robert Luna" arms in the sell sections on the board...I understand that Mr. Luna was/is a highly regarded arm technician/engineer from the CP days, and that his work is revered among the Steadicam initiated...so I am curious, as someone who had never used or experienced a "Luna" arm, is there some kind of signature feel, or utility that his arms are known for? I understand that some operators prefer older arm designs with his signature tuning, verses some newer arm designs? Of course, I know I'm opening a can of worms by asking that question, but really, I'm just really trying to learn what I can about the intricacies of the Steadicam craft, and I'm interested in your experiences and opinions on the matter; how his work compares to more contemporary arm designs and abilities -- the more descriptive, the better. As always thanks for your time and comments!
  23. Great story, Martin. I remember those first generation Glidecams...really, really crude, and rudimentary, but they did work. I remember how big, and unwieldy those original glidecam arms were, what with the huge blokcy spring covers, and visible welding points, and such! Lucky you had a model 1 in your hands...that's like living history! Hope you took some pics! It's cool that your employer spent some money to get your trained up. I've been in broadcast for many years here in the US...and getting our bosses to pay for anything, especially training or professional development is almost impossible. That fact that your station actually bought an Ultra is astonishing, to me! For many years, these corporate companies that own our stations, they were mostly concerned with cutting staff, and expenses, which meant buying cheaper, and smaller, if buying anything at all. It's changed a little now, in some cases, out of necessity. Just our of curiosity -- when you went freelance, did you know there was enough work in Steadicam to make a living? Or were you just winging it? Anyways, thanks for sharing your story...always interesting to see where people come from, and how far that have gone!
  24. Peter: Hmm...Best to let sleeping dogs lie, then! But please, carry on with the stories, they are so very interesting, and filled with history and surprises!
  25. Peter: Your pics really illustrate how the rigs were starting to evolve from generation to generation. I'm curious, though, do you think that the designs began to evolve because of need or was it out of necessity? Maybe both? Also, how is it that you guys were always able to find these machine shops to fabricate parts, and stuff? Seems like everyone had access to, or knew someone with some kind of metal working facility or background! Brian: That's an insane story. As I was reading through it, I began to think, "This guy is the unluckiest person ever." By the end of it, I was like, "I was wrong. This has got to be the luckiest dude ever." A story like that? You couldn't make that stuff up. Interesting thing to me is that, after that first theft, you could have given up at any point, really, but you didn't. Why? Maybe it's a silly question, but I know some people who would have definitely quit while they thought the quitting was good. By the way, you guys have awesome parents! The fact that they would throw down for you, and for your dreams is incredible. So, for Brian and Brooks, what do your parents think about where you are now, and what you're doing for a living? Just curious. Also, thanks again, to all of you who share your stories. Amazing stuff, and utterly fascinating to see how people find their way into the Steadicam profession.
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