Garrett Brown

It's the other way around how do the Tiffen "X" Series arms compare to the Gold Standard PRO Arms. sadly they still don't. I know the tiffen fans will cry (Scream) foul. Take a look around and see what arms the top ops are using. (It's not the G-Series) Eric, With reluctance, I feel I must weigh in here. After years of reading sarcastic and unwelcoming responses to newbie questions, ignorant pronouncements, and vitriolic attacks against individuals and companies -- such as, in this case, Tiffen -- I would suggest that your behavior is inconsistent with the guidelines for this forum and the duties of a moderator. You are certainly entitled to your opinions, however extreme, but the above example, out of hundreds of similar posts, would be more honorable if, for example, you actually owned one of our arms or were not self-identified as someone in charge! As a participant, you can rant and bloviate to your hearts content, but as moderator your obvious role is to avoid bias, and, further, to be patient with naive requests and impartial to the disparate views expressed by our membership. I have never personally minded your attacks on Tiffen. I am extremely proud of the G70x and the G50x arms and of course a big fan of Tiffen's efforts on behalf of Steadicam and our great community of operators. And like my friend and colleague George Paddock, I would never criticize a competitor's equipment on this forum -- because any such gathering of minds and purposes remains vulnerable to commercialism and mean-spiritedness. However, the tone, the style, the integrity of the forum is established cumulatively by the conduct of its members, and influenced by the responses of those who watch over it. Many of us have looked on in dismay or simply withdrawn in embarrassment as this once high-minded assembly has been degraded by mockery and incivility. Eric, I think you should recuse yourself and resign as Moderator. By all means stick around as a private citizen and wave your pointy stick at whoever; but this forum needs to once again be pure, honest, fair, and above all helpful. Garrett Brown

For Sale by Garrett Brown: XL Klassen Universal Dual-Mount Harness Package with hinged closure, with: -extra carbon hinge extension for XXL operator -low profile carbon arm -travel carrying bag -front mount socket block Like new: US$ 7775.00 new Selling price $4000.00 including FedEx shipping within US Respond directly: Use contact page on www.garrettbrown.com

For Sale by Garrett Brown: XL Klassen Universal Dual-Mount Harness Package with hinged closure, including: -extra carbon hinge extension for XXL operator -low profile carbon arm -travel carrying bag -front mount socket block Like new: US$ 7775.00 new Selling price $5000.00 including FedEx shipping within US. Photos on request. email me via contact page on: www. garrettbrown.com

Michael, Some arms seem to exhibit this behavior and some don't -- I don't yet know exactly why. It may be dust contaminating the several teflon bearings in the inner mechanism. In any event, none of the exotic ball bearings in the links/endblocks do this, so we are confident that the new ball-bearing 'innards' will be a durable improvement. best, GB

To my Steadicam colleagues around the world, here's some information on the history and future of the 'G-series' arms: In 2004, I wanted an arm that was lighter than ever, that was inexpensive, tool-free and stiff, with huge vertical travel, continuous single-knob adjustment of its wide lifting range, and unprecedented control over 'ride'. All of that we accomplished. I also put in teflon bearings, like the two bronze bushings in our flyer arm, to avoid the 'bounce' we experienced when those arms were too free. We described the result as 'silky' and it was much admired...except recently, to my chagrin, during extremely slow moves. However, our new G70x and G50x, which has been in beta release for several months, employed ball bearings -- along with a number of other recent improvements and discoveries -- and the resulting arms are superb...more iso-elastic throughout their range and ultra-smooth, as in more 'transparent' to vertical input. On behalf of previous owners, we also decided to offer a ball bearing upgrade to existing arms, but my original physical envelope was extremely tight, so it's been difficult to find room for them. The engineers at Tiffen Steadicam have done an outstanding job on that score, and the several owners who have gotten beta upgrades also report being extremely pleased. I hope that we will never stop improving these arms...and unlike.. well... iPhone, for instance,... we'll continue to offer an upgrade path whenever possible! Our formal release announcement will be in February and I hope that you will soon have a chance to try out the new Gx series or one of our upgraded versions. I am extremely proud of the results, and grateful to Tiffen for supporting our ongoing R&D efforts and numerous future improvements on behalf of the 'noble instrument.' Happy New Year to you all, and best regards, GB

Garrett Brown wants to borrow or rent two of the old modulus UHF transmitters for Lars Jan's special dance performance involving two Steadicams (!) rehearsing June 29-Aug 1 and then tech and performance Sept. 24 through Oct 4. Please advise if you can lend (or rent) one of your old units plus a cable to Lars (via GB) for this mad, amazing performance. if you attended the Lake Arrowhead workshop, you saw these guys in action designing their moves. They will put some of the shots up on slanted overhead screens. If as good as the original prototype performance last year with one Steadicam, it will be a must-see. I'll be at the Tiffen open house, and at CineGear if you have a unit to lend. thanks, Garrett Brown

Tango is technically just a Steadicam accessory. all-in, without the 'master' sled, arm or camera payload, Tango weighs a bit less than 6 lbs. Will be a bolt-on addition to future Tango-compatible Steadicam sleds. (The Steadicam can be removed and used conventionally in a couple minutes). GB

Larger 'Tango' payloads are certainly possible. At some point north of 5 lbs we may have to counterbalance above the 'mini' gimbal ('slave side') so the total payload might amount to 2x the camera weight. Of course that counterbalance may include focus-motor receivers, additional 'slave-side monitor, camera battery, etc. Only penalty is that you stick up a bit higher on the 'mini' side. So far, the most satisfying rig seems to be 'lo-mode' camera, which acts like a little snorkel and can be threaded through stuff if you desire... very interesting. In that event, since the central gimbal is at the balance point, you would either need more weight on the 'master' side or would have to move the gimbal toward the 'slave' (mini) side. That will certainly work, but will only mean that you have less extension for ultra-high or ultra-low shots. BTW the Tango rig we showed Friday night only weighed 29 lbs total, so there is lots of latitude to increase the 'master' side weight to increase payload or extension. We're still figuring this thing out. come by in LV if you can and give it a spin. I made the point at the open house that this represents an old dream of mine -- to move the lens from 'floor-to-ceiling.' I didn't know how to do that in 1973 (and barely know how even now!) but this seems like the answer! It's only been made possible by the flood of future, small, lens-chip camera combos that seem to be heading our way! best regards, GB

From Toby Phillips: (Garrett's) words tell such truth of the "apparent madman," who was indeed very talented and a good bit braver than most of us. I only met Jeff a few times. I hired him once to work with me on a shoot, where his bicycle riding skills were needed (something I could never master) and he made it look too easy. Though I hardly know any of the "new kids on the block" those of us from the early days, who were committed to Steadicam and did our best to push the boundaries, were joined by a common bond. We'd hear "on the grapevine" of new endeavors and achievements and wonder how next to utilize those skills. Jeff Mart was a constant in that realm of latest Steadicam adventures. I'm sure to have "borrowed" some of his techniques. Thank you Jeff for all that you contributed to the art of Steadicam and the team of other zealous operators, who only looked in wonder as to how to keep-up with you.

Jeff Mart was a Steadicam pioneer and a great-hearted friend who inspired us all with his ingenuity and courage. At Cinema Products in 1977, just weeks after the release of the Model I, we were stunned to receive a 16mm print showing an apparent madman on a bicycle, operating Steadicam while bouncing down a steep alpine meadow! Plus the incredible footage from his CP-16! It was Jeff, who chose that unforgettable way to introduce himself; and ever since, he has been the hardy'mountain man' of Steadicam, meeting every challenge head-on and bringing off one impossible shot after another with heart-stopping panache. Jeff tamed and mastered bike shots, for example, by simply cutting off one handlebar; and he became the stuff of legend around the campfires in Maine and Philadelphia for his canny solutions to unique Steadicam dilemmas like running up the steps of that bloody temple! We all worried about him -- I worried for years that he was too bold, too impulsive, too vulnerable to some bit of loose gravel or slippery handhold or stupid blunder by someone else. But I finally realized that though he was game for anything, he improved the odds with brilliant preparation, and his vitality and boldness always carried him through So it's heartbreakingly unexpected to learn that Jeff died 'off the clock'. Just slipped away from us, out of our sight and hearing, to his place in our small noble pantheon along with Teddy and Bob and a few cherished others. Jeff, I deeply regret not having a chance to tell you how much you have meant to me and to all of us over these many years. Here's to you dear friend. We'll raise a glass in your honor as long as these stories are told. Garrett Brown

Francis, When some Merlins are set down the arc moves a few mm -- even when the locks are tight.. Best thing is always pull down on the arc when you pick them up. As to the 'pendulum' motion.. that is what it should be... a slow pendulum. But you have to take control. I wrote this for new Merlin owners who did not yet get the 'trick': Read the following paragraphs I wrote for a section in an upcoming book on Steadicam operating. If your drop time is between one and two seconds (good old 'go-one-thousand-and-one' full seconds, then you just need to take charge of that pendulum action with your 'guide' hand. as reminded below... it is a pendulum, a sloooww pendulum, but you still have to 'shepherd' your pendulum around the set and keep it from exhibiting tha behavior. When you get this, when it suddenly becomes understood and routine, this difficulty will evaporate. "I apologize. Steadicam is not a black box, push button invention that makes everything steady. It's an instrument, and, like a guitar, it's useless without a skilled operator. New Merlin and Pilot owners in particular, who are often thrust into all this without benefit of a workshop, have a harder time understanding that these rigs are really just slow, slightly bottom heavy pendulums. Neutral balance (infinite drop time) doesn't work--if a mosquito lands on the lens the camera will theoretically tilt straight down!--so the human being involved, not the machine, must forever be in charge. Embrace the concept: Whether it's a Flyer, a Pilot, or a Merlin, you are shepherding a little pendulum around on the set with your camera aboard! It's easier to keep level when you're walking straight ahead, harder when you change speed or direction. Give the 'handle' a brief nudge when you start moving, an opposite push to stop, and a little side pressure when you're cornering and it works. Without that slight input, it will swing back and forth forever. We won't over-intellectualize this--just keep shooting, controlling level and framing with your 'guide' hand and playing back the results. When you learn how much to 'dampen' your pendulum, it's 'steady'. It's as simple as that. Francis, best of luck. Garrett Brown

A friend is about to send a documentary crew to Antarctica. Does anyone know the current best way to be sure video (hi-def) cameras can survive the cold and perform well?? How should the batteries, lenses, etc. be protected? Any tips and suggestions would be appreciated. The Steadicam part I understand and have passed along, but my technical info is out of date! thanks! Garrett Brown

Ellen and I were devastated on Saturday to learn of the accident that took the lives of Andy and Kathleen Casey. Something essential was torn right out of existence, but yet is a fraction of the infinite loss to Trevor and Jillian and Brendan and the rest of their family. Our reunion on that afternoon for a few of our '96 Olympic crew became a sudden wake for those dear souls. Everyone there knew Andy and Kathy. He operated our 'GoCam' in Atlanta and was an indomitable rock of confidence and spirit and good sense for all of us throughout that difficult job. I first met Andy when he arrived on roller blades to be my camera assistant on Philadelphia, and a bit later he took my Steadicam workshop and never looked back. I was intensely proud of him, and of his subsequently brilliant career and superb resume. Ellen and I last met Trevor and Jillian years ago when we visited Andy and Kathy at their home in New Jersey. They have ever since occupied that close and cheerful limbo into which so many of our dear colleagues in this business are stashed between movies. The only two things we all count on are that these friends are safe, wherever they may be; and that we may embrace them soon again on some future location. I can't express the depth of our sorrow that these two fine, gentle souls have been taken from us all. Farewell Andy and Kathy. We will miss you for the rest of our days. Garrett Brown and Ellen Shire

Dear Steadicam Ops, Some of you already know that I am a volunteer and Board Member of Philadelphia's USO. On a daily basis we serve the military in our area and in transit. Two area bases provide training for Iraq and are also deployment/return bases from the war zones. Last year we served 130,000. Each USO must raise their own operating budget. In October, we have our yearly and biggest fund raiser. I'm posting this to ask if you might be able to secure something from a show you are working on. In the past from Ops and contacts, I've received autographed script and swag from The Sopranos, swag from The Unit, tickets to the Colbert Report, cast autograph from Gray's Anatomy, signed poster and script from Entourage. This fund raiser is so important to us that I thought I would ask our Steadicam Family for help. Thank you. Ellen Shire 215-922-5952 elshire@aol.com

Lars Eric, This is the second time I have heard about this problem. The first was due to that fine screw being too short. From memory, I believe that the short ones have undoubtedly stripped the initial threads. but the holes are deeper and tapped all the way, so if you can obtain longer screws in the same size and thread pitch, they may 'bite' deeper. Please e-mail Dan Ikeda (dikeda@tiffen.com) our customer service ace at Steadicam, Glendale. He will be able to consult with Mr. Orf, the chief engineer and let you know the best way to proceed. I'll copy this thread and send it independently. I'm sure we can get this attended to quickly... as inventor, I deeply and humbly apologize (reminds me of John Cleese as the murderously apologetic chef on Monty Python). best regards, GB