Nikk Hearn-Sutton SOC

I've been looking into purchasing a used Masters Series. For those own own one or has owned one, what are the advantages and disadvantages in having one. Also thanks to Janice Arthur,for her insight on ALOT of things. Thank you. What I was going to do is buy a new masters vest, either a blue or gold arm,most likely blue and a sled, but i really like some insight on the masters. Thanks. Nikk Sutton,SOA

What materials did you use to build it and can it hold it without any strain on you itself? if you go to www.steadi-ops.com, they have downloads on what to and what not to do. Now for you to be operating in July, Unless you have that rig on 24/7, the shots might be good but,it took me a good 4months to really feel out my rig and understood what it was telling me. If it hurts, PUT IT DOWN!!!(not like an animal but you get the gise of it) It's un balanced either with your balancing or your vest as in the length of the vest(that is if it's adjustable) or you mounting spar. Also what all do you have on the SR2. That's a factor also. If the arm isn't build to withstand that much weight, you could really take damage to yourself most importantly,the rig and the camera. That's my 2cents Nikk Sutton Flyin the Rig!!

O MAN, no i am curious, and i hate that. :P <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't like talking bad about people but, there's a point and time when people just dont get it. Where do I start. Now I'm not the best operator that knows everything there is to know about it but I do listen and this GUY said he knew alot when he didn't. He was the DP 1st AC and when I found out that he was going to be my 1st I told him some do's and dont's on the rig and how everything works. He told me that they had one at the school that he went to and he knew about it and everything about it. I mean this guy thought he was hot shit. Little did I know it was the Jr or mini that they had and going from that to my rig (SK2) is a big step. So I was telling him how the rig worked as in physics itself and I could tell he was getting lost in translation, so I started asking him questions on the rig itself and asked him to see if he knew who Garrett Brown was,just to see if he was true to form right. He goes on to think and asked me if he was a local, and I said he was the inventor of steadicam and he goes OH THATS COOL. Let's flash back here for a sec....He said that he knew all there was to know about the rig and you dont know who Garrett Brown is? COME ON!!!!! Anyway I tell him the do's and don't and what I need from him when I'm oping,and how to spot me and when to bring the dock when a shot is being discussed or to rest. I told him all of this the 1st week over and over again and this GUY didnt get it. and the best was when im balancing the rig he would move stuff while Im balancing to get things off that HE didnt want on there. I'm like DUDE WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!!!!!! I'm telling him any changes you make is going to change the balanace of the rig either adding or taking off and he didn't get it AT ALL and most importantly DONT TOUCH MY RIG UNLESS YOU TELL ME WHAT YOUR DOING FIRST BEFORE YOU DO IT!!! I mean this guy had no set ettiquiete WHAT SO EVER. Half the time looking for him he wasnt on set even for the DP and I had to carry everything mostly myself on it. What makes it pretty bad the guy runnig sound was better at being my 1st than the first was.Speed and safety is a must!! Either he was to slow and took his time or he was rushing and almost getting himself or someone else on set hurt. He says he's been doing this for 5 years now but I think is more like 1 or less. I could go on about this Gut but I know one thing...If he's on set with me again for any shoot, I'm gonna make sure that he is no where around me what so ever. So job that the shorten story of it all. What a nightmare

The DP and I are real good friends and he asked me if I had any suggestions that I would like to do from the get of the production. Besides that he has his own lighting service, 1/2 ton and a full ton trucks. Believe me, I especially kept my eye open to see where I was getting hit, since like you said before, there too busy on looking at the shot itself but GOOD EYE on what you said. I could tell a horror story in the horror story about my 1st AC but I'll wait for another time for that one. IT WAS BRUTAL!!!! Till then. Nikk

THE DON JUAN. I can understand why he asked you to do that but, did this guy work with steadi before or was this his first time out.

Well, Its been a long time since I posted anything for awhile and all I can say is that, word is getting around that I have this rig that is getting to a point where I dont have to look for work it finds me,since I'm the only game in town. I just finshed a 14 day feature called HELL-O-WEEN (the working title for now,even though there was a film called that prior) your typical teenage slasher movie. At first when I was brought on this shoot I was scheduled for 3 days but through the modern world of fast and getting the shot in 4 takes or less, I was used 12 out of the 14 days and as McDonald's can say I'M LOVIN IT!! :D I tell ya on this shoot they took full advantage of me, and the shot where BUTTA. Not only was I tracking but I was the Killers POV also (I wonder if I'll get another credit for that) but the best is yet to come. One of the scenes that was written was a tracking of one of the actors from behind as she going through an archway and following her into the main room. When I was looking at the area i had to work with I suggested this, How about I track her from behind then orbit around her clockwise as she turns counterclockwise, to get that disoriented feel to her then pick her up in front as she walks the arch around her to get behind her again. So the director and the DP wanted to know what it would look like so we did a rehearsal and those who where watching the shoot where in complete AWW. The shot lasted for about 2mins and when we did it for real, got it in one breath then a safety. I tell ya it reminded me alot of DRIP (my 1st feature). I just can't wait till the next one now all I have to do is save up for another rig that can handle more and keep my first rig, Alma (after my grandmother R.I.P 1930-2003 who helped me get my 1st rig. Thank You and where ever you are I LOVE YOU.) and attend some workshops and have the field. All in all I feel blessed and thankful that I'm able to do this and be among the few operators that can fly the rig and advance from being a good operator to a great operator but, all that takes time and I have a ways to but I'm having too much fun doing it. Nikk "Flyin the Rig!" Sutton

Hello ops! Long time no hear from. Basically cause I've been busy oping.ANYWAY. What is the best conventional way on making a rickshaw. I have an Idea on modifing a wheelchair into one but I need more input on how to or how not to make one. Any suggestions. Thanks Nikk "Flyin the Rig!" Sutton

I've gotten considerly better in operating especially when it come to the compistion aspect of it and it's been about 2years now and work has been consitantly good. My only prob is with the SK unit It would be a waste to upgrade the arm and post where I could get a better one that could hold more, and with the patience aspect of it, Your right I have to have but at the same time I'm missing alot of opertunities where I could fly some HD Cams but I'm limited to 19 to 20lbs and those cams with the Fox FF and a Pro 35 ect,ect goes WAY OVER my rigs limit. That's all I'm saying. I'm not as green as I was before I'm rippening evch and every time I mount up. I NEED MORE POWER!!!! Any more suggestions??

Hello all!!! Long time no see unless we all had webcams, anyway, my question is this... I've been a SK2 operator for about 3 years and I was thinking of going up to the master series,used that is, and I know I'll have to go to some workshops to get it dialed in cause I WOULD NOT fly it without it. Would it be a wise desion to do so or find a different model to go to, and no if anyone is wondering about if I'm going to sell my old rig. How about input. Thanks. Nikk "You could get with THIS or you could get with THAT" Sutton Oh by the way if any of you remeber me talking about a film that I first flew the rig on called "DRIP" well check out the web site at www.dripmovie.com and watch the behind the scenes footage and see me flyin for the fist time as my cherry was popped :lol:

If every thing goes right I'll be there. It's in April right!

OMG. I thought you might be selling your rig hehe. matt. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> NO WAY NO HOW!!!!!

I have com to the conclusion that in my many adventures this year with ALMA,(My Rig),I've decided to retire from operating this year. As much time,money,effort,money,experiences(Hawaiian Tropic shoot that I did'nt forget about you guys on that one that one it's just taking longer than expected)and lastly money, I'm going to quit :(!!!! Then come back after the 1st of the year. I'm thinking the 5 or 6th on Jan so I'll be good and DE_TOXED from then so that is that. Anyone else with me!! Nikk

Just make sure Santa is insured!!!! :D Happy Kwaznzaa and Have A Happy,SAFE and Eventful New Year to ALL Ops!!! Nikk "Drinking and Flyin don't mix" Sutton

Did anyone or do you know anyone who worked on Galattica for the mini-series and or the 1st season coming up in Jan. Nikk "BY YOUR COMMAND" Sutton

Well I made the cage and my GOD what a difference it makes!!!!!! There's still some tweeking I have to make but in essence, IT BUTTA!!!! I'll have pics of the rig set up in a few days. Thanks to all again. Now it's time to make some money with the smaller DV's. Nikk "Cage me up!!!, before you go-go" Sutton :P

OK I'll bite!!! When,where,and who did it and will it be out but most curiously,did the AR make an appearance or is the "TOP SECRET" :D Nikk "BY YOUR COMMAND" Sutton TV TRIVIA - what show did that line come from???

Thanks I think I get what your saying but illistrations would be nice so How can i put weight ABOVE the Cam. So if I'm Right on what your saying is I have the cage and the cam goes above the cage correct or not. Nikk

You got pics

I see it!!! An oversight. Thanks Nikk

Dude your SICK!!! :D That was great

Thanks for all the info but the flight was cancelled due to buget costs GO FIGURE!!! Nikk "No eating here tonight,you on a diet" Sutton

OK since the system was HACKED by some bonehead, Ill upload the pics in the next couple days for those of you who remember. TASTY :D and talks are being made about doing it again next year. FUN,FUN,FUN.

Whats the cost in US dollars?

what type of unit do you have.

Well first off, it's good to see you praticing the art and wanting critiques on your piece. How long have you been flying. This is just my 2 cents worth and I'm not as seasoned as the other ops but.. keep your horizon as level as possible and when you made your orbit, you tended to go left of frame and had an accordian effect going, a sway motion mind you and keep your subject in center frame. Make a prep movement first then execute the movement. What I mean by that is move the rig forward or back depending on what direction your going and follow thru with your body, lower your center of gravity so when you do make your moves your body will follow to made the shots smoother and trying walking heel toe to glide when you step instead of walking. All those years playing in marching band(Drumline) through out high school and college paid off and I never thought I'd use those skills again B) but that's another story in itself!!! :D . That works for me,my suggestion is 1) keep practicing,there's no way to improve without pratice, 2) keep it slower starting out and gradually kick it up a knoch and really analize your shots after you watch them, where you could inprove on this shot and that. When I first started it make me nausious, looked as if I was on a boat and now I see a tremedoius amout of improvement from where I was to where I am now but I'm still not where I want to be yet but that all takes time. Hope this helps you out. Nikk "Mark time March" Sutton