Grayson Austin

Well it seems nobody knows.

Since no one else replied about this, I will. I spoke to Hugo a few days ago. All is well with the topstage. Hugo has been dealing with some totally unrelated issues outside of the business which he may choose to elaborate on or not. I am sure he will make an announcement soon about the timetable for the topstage. Please be patient a bit longer. Remember, life is not always about steadicam. People have lives outside of this business as well and we must remember that as with many companies related to our equipment, Rig Engineering does not have a huge number of employees and sometimes despite what we would like, life just happens. If you need a topstage right away and can't afford to wait, then buy one now from PRO or Anthrazit. If you can afford to wait a bit longer, then wait. You won't be disappointed with Hugo's topstage. Better that it take a bit longer and be spot on.

Sincerely,

Grayson Grant Austin

AR owner/operator

Steadicam owner/operator

If you really want to do it right, just do what I do. Tie a gigantic bunch of helium filled birthday balloons to the rig and then suck down a lungful of the helium as well. That way, the camera has that "floaty" feeling and so do you. As an added bonus, you can tell the director to "F#$K OFF" in a funny, high pitched voice which is so amusing to the client that you are guaranteed not to be fired.

Okay, I don't that. I did have a dream about doing it after I blacked out from sucking down too much helium at a birthday party though...

P.S.

For you new guys, please don't take this serious and try it. You'll probably be fired and I in no way, shape or form endorse this kind of behavior on set nor do I take any responsibility for it. However, if anyone does try it, Right On!

Grayson Austin

P.P.S.

It was good to see some of you at Cinegear and Tiffen's shindig(sp?)

Hey David,

Yeah, I know, $275 seems like a lot and it is not peanuts but here is how I justified it for myself anyway:

$100+ of that is for the three wheels/casters and all three casters have brakes(I could not find 8 inch casters on the northern website that had brakes) which I think is important. I tried a stand with non-brake casters years ago and watched it very nearly outwit an AC(it was a tossup for about a minute as to who would win) on the back of a camera truck liftgate as it was going down. I very nearly soiled myself watching the stand roll to the edge of the liftgate and teeter with full rig attached(I have also seen near disasters with steadi-carts that were not locked/brakes on).

As for the remaining $175, unless you are best friends with, related to, or sleeping with a machinist or whatever combination thereof(I don't want to know) it might be difficult to have three sturdy adapters come in under that amount. I have never been able to get a machinist to make me anything that did not cost at least that much without wining and dining them(beer and burgers).

Plus I needed the stuff for a job and had no time to try another avenue when I knew someone already had it all together with no muss or fuss.

I did like that Northern had 10 inch casters both rigid and swivel with brakes for the swivel ones with the same specs and weight loads as filmtools or backstage and they were cheaper so I would use those for my cart most definitely. I even saw tires that were the puncture proof foam filled so still a very good find. Thanks David.

Grayson Austin

I didn't think American Grip had anything this size.. maybe they do?

 

I was actually thinking about Northern Tool.

 

I already have 2 of these casters for my rickshaw and they are great!

 

They are $40 each (plus shipping)

I'll have to get Tom Gleason to make stand adaptors..

 

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/sto...d=40245&R=40245

BackStage already does this as a set with 8 inch pneumatic casters. Check the website under new products I believe at backstageweb.com. They slip right on the legs and clamp on. They work great, however they do raise the whole thing up a bit. 10 inch casters might be a bit too high, but I run a long sled a lot of the time and ACs might get irritable at having to use a step ladder to get to the camera. The set also adds much needed ballast to the bottom of a stand set up. I have the set for the American Steadicam Stand(two riser) as well as the front box stand adapter and the access shelf that attaches to the leg struts(both things thanks to ideas and pioneering from Erwin) and the stand holder which slips onto the side of the cart and the stand hangs on with the two pins like on the grip truck. Very groovy. Got one of their new Landau Deluxe Carts(Not the official name but it could be) on order as well. Thanks again to Irwin for the rough pioneering through untread(get it? tread! See what I did there?) territory. I should say that I don't consider this stand set up a replacement for a cart and I currently use the backstage full blown steadicam senior set up at least until my new one is ready. The stand is really for getting the rig into interiors where we are forced to leave the larger carts outside but I can usually convince anybody concerned to let my stand come in, even into a delicate interior. My two bits(inflation).

Grayson Austin

Hi All,

I almost never post anymore as the forum has really gone downhill lately but as this seems to now involve a potential safety issue, here goes:

I have been using Walter's Back mounted harnesses for a long time now. My first harness was serial #11 and was one of the very first completely solid shells and was made of carbon fiber/kevlar weave. Before that, it was a carbon plate for the attachment point and a leather shell. The first arm I had was all aluminum and took lots of time to adjust as bolts had to be undone and redone. My first shell sent to me was too thin(they were still figuring things out) and flexed. Walter sent me another that was thicker carbon/kevlar layers and was great. This was back when the shells were curved to the spine shape. It felt great no matter what. Upgraded that to a carbon fiber arm piece that pivoted at the attachment point to the shell. I liked this design but the pressure on the pivot bolts was intense and they tended to bend or compress and you could not get them out again. Harness still felt great.

When I upgraded to the Euro Style harness is when the trouble began. The Euro and all versions now have a straight back design and only the padding changes(air bladder came along too). Ever since then, and several upgrades and even completely new harnesses later as well as the upgrade to the curved front plate, I still have a huge problem with losing feeling in the legs even when used for a short period of time. I have been to the shop, have tried alternative padding, no good. I have no proof but all I can say is that I wish they would go back to the curved back design. I know that some people will have no problem with the straight Euro style harness and that is great but I seem to be hearing the same things now from the same sort of people. Thinner framed people without much meat to help pad things out. I also fit that profile. All I can say is that before with my original curved back style, I carried BLs, Panavised Compacts with Primos, etc most of the time and wore the rig like my favorite pair of jeans. I never took it off. I am not a big guy but I could carry anything I wanted to carry and it was a breeze. Now, even a video camera for any length of time makes me pray that I make it back to the dock without taking a header like Erwin did. Erwin, I hope you are okay. It has nothing to do with weight of the rig. It is definitely the harness as during that harness transition, I still used the same rig with no difference other than the harness.

I have talked to Walter at length about this but he feels that it is not a condition of the curved back compared to the straight back design. I don't know who is right but the proof is is the tingling. I still have it badly even with the curved front piece with the double ratchets on both sides to try and make better adjustments. If any other old timers who have also gone from curved back to straight design who may have similar issues would pipe up, maybe it would help. Otherwise, my suggestion would be to have some kind of curved add on placed inside the shell at the back to fit the harness better to the curve of the spine or have a much better curved lay up of foam padding in the upper and middle back. The air bladder in the lower area in my opinion does not do the right job and in fact may contribute to the problem as it just seems to make the lower portion of the harness tighter against my hips and cuts off more circulation.

Again, before anyone starts throwing out opinions that don't have/use a back mounted harness, I will say it again, I have been through almost every version and upgrade of harness since it's coming out party except for the all leather version and have tried just about every possible option there is to make this problem better but have had no joy. I am still wishing I had my old harness back. I am very close to selling this harness to someone who can use it and going back to front mounted vest. Don't know what else there is to do unless custom harness can once again be made. I have mostly given up on trying to resolve this.

Just my two cents and remember when operating, always make sure your shoes are tied, but not to each other.

Grayson Austin

Alien Revolution Owner/Operator

Steadicam Owner/Operator

Plates are sold. Thanks.

Grayson

For Sale:

2 XCS camera dovetail plates for use with PRO style topstages(PRO 1,2,3 topstage, Chrosziel topstage, Steadyrig topstage, and any other topstage that will accept the PRO style camera dovetail plates and will also work on Master Series and Ultra and probably other Tiffen models). One plate is barely used(only a couple of days on the set) and has only a slight bit of marking from camera lockdown screws on the underside. The other is untouched/never used. These dovetail plates have built in motor rod holes for 15mm and 1/2 inch size rods that clamp the rods in place. You can see a picture of this plate on the XCS website or I can send a picture if you are not familiar with this plate. Each plate comes with a camera lockdown screw and Arri locating pin.

Asking $200 for the unused plate.

$175 for the slightly used one.

Buy em both for $350.

Email me if interested:

graysona@earthlink.net

Thanks.

Grayson Austin

For Sale:

XCS Ultimate Gimbal with choice of 1.5 inch or 2 inch sleeve/grip. This gimbal is absolutely brand new and has never been used/ never been on set. I purchased this gimbal a few months ago to be an alternate/backup to my MK-V V2 gimbal but I am not going to need it now. Save some money off purchasing a new gimbal from XCS. If you purchase this gimbal for a 1.5 inch centerpost, you have the option of purchasing the 2 inch sleeve as well (both sleeves are brand new/unused as well) so you can smoothly upgrade your post to the 2 inch style later on for a reduced price over purchasing a new sleeve later on from XCS(a new sleeve in either size will cost you $1000 from XCS). Gimbal comes in its own pelican case with gimbal wrench and Allen tool for handle. Serious only please. Email for pictures and prices to:

graysona@earthlink.net

Thanks.

Grayson Austin

Hello All,

MK-V Evolution Package for sale. All in Beautiful condition. Many items are new/unused backup gear.

Package and accessories make up nearly everything you need to walk onto set and work. I say nearly because I consider some things to be a very personal choice for an operator/ should not be purchased used and some items I am keeping as they are my one and only. Too much to list here.

This package was my main rig until very recently upgrading to the MK-V four stage Nexus/ Alien Revolution system and is now taking up space. I have used this very rig on 35mm theatrical feature films as well as 35mm, 16mm and HD television pilots, mini series, and MOWs. Can handle any format as well as any size camera (of those ever used for Steadicam and a few that usually aren't). Email me for a complete list of gear, pictures, sample list of films/TV projects shot with this Rig/package and prices(depending on what options and accessories are chosen) at:

graysona@earthlink.net

Although I will be happy to answer any questions and talk about Steadicam with new operators about this package, please serious inquiries only. In other words, I would appreciate no window shoppers. Thanks.

Grayson Austin

greyson austin

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With 1st AC Erik Emerson

 

I think the flowers were a nice touch.

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Hi all. BJ only missed it by one letter. Grayson Austin (not Greyson).

Hi Chip. How's it? India was fun. Food was horrible.

We just referred to everything as "bones in gravy". Haven't been on in awhile as I have been busy until recently. Most of my work was in New Orleans until the Hurricane. Very sad all of that. Did the Pilot for "Threshold"(Pilot/Part One of two part first episode) in Cali and some other TV jobs in New Orleans but now just playing a bit with my fantastic AR and waiting for my next job to start. My cell has been useless but I will try to give you a call soon Chip as I am back in Florida at the moment.

Grayson

I'm looking for another DX 400 diversity receiver in great shape as a 2nd system to the one I already own. Antennaes not needed but will be considered if you have them. Also interested in used Modulus 2000 or 3000 if any are out there. Thanks. Email with info.

Grayson Austin

graysona@earthlink.net

Hey Mitch,

How are you doing? Good I hope. You must have a better JVC than most because I have seen this very problem with that very model of camera. Also with the Sony DVCAM camcorder models as well as digital betacam and analog formats. I will say that it was more subtle in the digital formats but still there and still unuseable and unfixable. I usually test it with every video format and camera model I encounter just for the heck of it but usually end up not using it as even slightly there stuff that you can't see on a field monitor gets seen by the editor/post engineer who then bitches to the producers. The horrible part is that it usually does not show up in the transmitted signal and is many times difficult to see on your rig monitor so do your testing with a hardline cable out to your field monitor while your transmitter is on and sometimes not even that shows up. Do a record to tape with the transmitter on and then do a playback test hardlined with the transmitter off. As with all RF voodoo some individual cameras might not get hit and some modulus may not be a problem but I just don't risk it anymore as it can be fine one moment and then crap the next. HD DPs are becoming aware of this issue lately and are starting to resist having transmitters anywhere near the HD camera. God help us all. Pray for easily available fiber optic rentals.

Oh, for a fun experiment, fire up your Bartechs and then move your modulus close to the receiver and/or motor and watch for your motor to shift position (Some may not be as susceptible). This is why it is important to seperate any RF components. Imagine if an assistant were to mark the Bartech for the lens and then switch on a modulus that was too close. The bartech might still work like the trooper it is but the marks would then be off. Something to think about.

Grayson Grant Austin

Steadicam Owner/Operator

Actually,

It is steadicam related so it does have a place here. All steadicam operators should be aware of this if you aren't. Any wireless transmitter such as a modulus placed up against or near a video camera can cause severe interference with your video signal going to tape. That includes HD cameras which many of us have and will be using in the times to come. It is not a video termination issue. You have a powerful RF transmitter pumping out RF energy sitting up against a video recorder with a plastic housing and most of the time, no shielding. Even if you can get the modulus away from the camera at the bottom of the rig, that is no guarantee that you won't have problems. Always do a test first. Again, if you are shooting with an HD Cinealta, Varicam, or any other tape based system, and you are using a modulus or other RF Video transmitter, you are in danger of a screwed up image put to tape that may have little or no hope of being fixed and guess who they will blame. The steadicam operator with the video transmitter.

Also, this goes for your Bartech or other focus receiver. I recently saw an operator with their modulus literally velcroed to their Bartech receiver and then wondered why they were having problems with the Bartech. I consider this type of topic to be a great use of the steadicamforum bandwidth. If any of you just learned something that you did not know and it saves you the embarrassment of screwing up a productions' valuable footage, then it is my opinion that it is an important topic for this forum. But of course, it is just an opinion.

Grayson Grant Austin

Steadicam Owner/Operator

Sorry,

The above post was missing some things including an error in the price of the Sony D-300 deck. It has been edited. the selling price of the deck without the PRO power/video cable is $500 and with the cable is $600. Sorry to any who the change might effect. Thanks.

I am also adding some things to the list including a new/unused Palomar/M1 motor extension bracket. I am not selling an M1 motor, just the cool Palomar extension bracket that will help get the motor closer to the lens than the sliding bracket on the motor can do. New sells for $250. Selling for $175.

Complete set of gears for M28VP Heden motor. Including large diameter 32 pitch and large diameter 64 pitch(pana iris) gears. New and unused. Selling for

$150.

Email if interested.

Grayson Grant Austin

Lots of stuff for sale. Much of it unused/ as new.

Jerry Hill Docking Bracket and Gorelock, complete with two docking rings for 1 and 1/2 inch post size(PRO, 3A, EFP, Old style MK-V, etc.). Perfect shape. Moving up in post size so this is not needed any longer. New it will cost you $1060. Selling for $850.

Sony D-300 DV deck/on board recorder. Mini DV is still much better for on board review than MPEG4. This deck comes with two batteries, ac adapter/charger and PRO/XCS power and video cable(this cable alone costs $250 from PRO) in great shape/works perfectly. Selling for $500 without cable. $600 with PRO/XCS power and video cable.

Jerry Hill Vehicle mount complete with steel socket block and speedrail U-bolts. This vehicle mount is what you want for rough vehicle work. Anodized blue and in great shape as it has only been used a few times. New cost is $960. Selling for $700.

Jerry Hill SR 3 Low Mode Bracket and motor rod bracket. As new, unused still in the bag. Sells for $425 new with the rod bracket. Selling for $325.

PRO-GPI D-Bracket for Low Mode. Never used on a job. With 4 inch armpost(5/8 inch). This item sells for $175 new from PRO. Selling for $100.

SR 1 and 2 Low Mode Bracket. New/unused. New price is $250. Selling for $175 and comes with a new motor rod(15mm) as a bonus.

Jerry Hill Moviecam Compact Low Mode Bracket. As new/unused and still in the bag. New price is $600. Selling for $450.

Email directly to the email address below. Do not contact through the forum unless you include your direct email in the message. PayPal is okay but not with a credit card payment. My paypal account cannot accept them. More items coming soon including major sled components. Ask if you are looking for particular things.

graysona@earthlink.net

Grayson Grant Austin