Kevin Krautle

I am definitely excited about it! Any announcement yet on what a timeline to buy might be yet? -Kevin

Michael, I have a Scout and use it almost every day and I love it! It is an incredible piece of kit for the price, I don't fly on the higher end of the range of weight so I can't answer to the heavy question. I in fact had the opposite problem of not enough weight. As for batteries. I purchased V-Lock with IDX Batteries myself. My setup is pretty fun, I have a full Polycom video conferencing system mounted to my rig with wireless relay for live full remote demos with two way audio and video. This is so that the presenter can interact with the audience in real time via a full video conference. (I Attached a picture.) It required a custom power setup which I used an inexpensive DC voltage regulator (for the Polycom VC), and I also ran the front mount TV, and the HDMI to SDI converter of it it as well. I also agree with John -> Get the Steadicam Handbook, and moreover I really recommend a Steadicam course! I took the SOA course with the crew and was one of the best experiences of my life. Yes it was that good. Cheers -Kevin

DOH! I forgot to mention Laurie and everyone who contributed, I apologize. Thanks to all!!!!!!! In the mist of working 7 days a week (as a Mac Genius and in executive help-desk computer support at a medium-large business) for the last 8 months, my brain is not as sharp right now as I would like it. Any book is a huge task. It took me almost 3 years, and a half dozen very gracious people to vet my grammar ;). But again, Thanks to all, -Kevin

Jerry, all i can say is WOW!, Over 400 Pages of pure full color gold. All I can say is thanks for the hard work, The most I have produced is a 120 page technical document and I can only imagine the time it took to make this. Thanks, -Kevin "Just ordered a 2nd copy for a friend" Krautle

Don't mean to let the cat out of the bag (if there is one), After ordering about 300 dollars worth of mac computer books - I stumbled on Jerry's book being listed for release soon - http://www.elsevierdirect.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780240811659 http://www.amazon.com/Steadicam-Operators-...7784&sr=8-1 -Kevin

Awesome!! Thanks for the info. -Kevin "Counting the pennies in the sock drawer" Krautle

Ditto and the congrads, Nice job Jerry and Garret and all of the Steadicam team, It's defiantly the one for me (when I can afford it ;) ). Any word on pricing yet?? -Kevin Krautle

Well probably the best way is for you boom op to use a portable mixer like the the sound devices MixPre or something a little cheaper that delivers voltage and monitoring capabilities. After the mixer any good wireless transmitter will work fine. Lectrosonics is at the top, but the Sennheniser Evolution G2 100 Series I have had great results with, but with any wireless... It does take testing, but I do wish you luck! -Kevin "Still have pains thinking about the PD150's sound quality" Krautle

More than anything, TAKE A WORKSHOP!!!! Peter Abraham is a great guy and offers a wide gamut of flyer courses, the SOA workshop in May and October is your best bet. Jerry & crew really knows their stuff. The MKV course in europe looks great also (Depending on where you live). Any course is good really. With the SOA course, granted it is sponsored by tiffen, but usually you will get to see most of their entire line of toys-errr....-tools that they offer from the flyer on up to the latest and greatest ultra 2 so you will see what the different types of equipment there is and what is best suited for you. I can tell you aside from reading this forum, from head to toe, is the best money you will ever spend. -Kevin "Steadicam Trainee" Krautle

Hey Brian, I have a 360 and be happy to frag sometime. Halo 3, or Orange Box is my preference but whatever works. -Kevin

Just a few more general things about DMX, To clarify how dmx works. The Lighting console (or controller) is usually the sole place of transmission for a lighting setup. Meaning that all the DMX signal comes from it, and is split and looped through lights until the end. What the wireless set does is take the dmx signal just transmits it over radio as a bridge. But as with the Steadicam, Lighting has gone 10 fold in complexity. At one time 512 channels of control was enough, but when you have 100's of martin intelligent lights each consuming about 16-24 channels each, you run out very quickly. So what the lighting manufacturers did was add universes to the lighting consoles, 1,2,3,4,5.... up to 9 now I think. A universe is just another DMX Port, with another set of 512 channels. Meaning that if there is 9 plugs on the back of the console for all the lights needed, you get over 4500 channels on 9 circuits instead of 512 just on 1. So what does that do with us? Well since only so many lights can be put on the Steadicam, you will never get close to a single universe of channels used. So when shopping for a wireless bridge, only 1 universe is needed. So say if you are on a film set instead of a large MTV type production, thats when a portable controller is needed because you need something control/produce the signal. If you only need 1 channel of control just get a tester for 50 bucks. Or for the same price you can get a usb to dmx adapter, and control everything from the computer. Hope it helps. BTW I had the pleasure of meeting the owner of your old rig Job, at the May SOA Course in Pennsylvania, David's good people. My theater knowledge is finally paying off I think. But then again remembering all the different types of lighting connectors, eeeek. -Kevin

Well if the light panel has DMX (or by accessory), that opens up a whole set of options, WIRELESS DMX!!! Keep in mind, usually you have to buy a wireless set and a controller, but the wireless set will work with any lighting console. Just remember that DMX is a Push protocol, meaning that there is one sender and multiple receivers, and like a video signal it sends a constant signal, and is only one way (so a no no for PYRO!). One bit of warning if you are looking into some of the wireless remote focus control units, they are usually not dmx, but a wireless controller for the console, ETC's for example is one. Some quick googleing provides: http://www.wirelessdmx.com/ - Provides also in OEM if needed. 2.4 ghz http://www.theatrewireless.com/ - 2.4 ghz http://www.citytheatrical.com/ - Provides also in OEM if needed 2.4 ghz http://www.chauvetlighting.com/fixtures/dmxdfi_fix.shtml - 900 mhz There are many others, just have to look a little. For controlling: Well any DMX controller will work, all that matters is size. http://www.stagelightingstore.com/s.nl/sc....tegory.34523/.f - Huge assortment If it is only one channel needed, you could even use a dmx tester. http://www.americandj.com/product.asp?Prod...her_Controllers - $50 http://www.anytronics.com/download/lig_con...005_anytest.pdf - little more. Remember there are 2 types of DMX connectors XLR 3 pin, and XLR 5 PIN, in the 5 pin connector only 3 pins are used, the other two are left empty which are usually used for color changers power. More than that, NEVER USE A AUDIO CABLE for DMX, because the wiring inside is different. Job, for your live tv jobs that use controlled lighting, the wireless dmx is all you need for them to control the light. Then again it is another signal in the air, fun fun fun! Oh one last thing, you only need 1 wireless set for all the lights on your rig, because DMX-512 by its very nature, has 512 channels of control each with 255 levels of intensity on each channel. So multiple lights is not an issue. Talk to the lighting guys and they will jack you in, the way works best for them. Lastly the DMX channel setting is not the Frequency setting, they are 2 different but important things. -Kevin [EDIT - Updated to include OEM's, they are a lot smaller]

Hi Kevin! I am glad to hear there is going to be a fellow Canadian at the SOA Workshop in May!!!!! I am from Ottawa, but am now living in Westchester for the past 5 years and attending Hofstra University. (US immigration, a interesting 2.5 year process involving 3 sets of digital fingerprints) I am taking the Steadicam process also at a snails pace, because it is an complex art which I figure is like trying to learn how to ride a horse, which takes patience (as far a I know). I do not have near the experience that Kevin has, only working with a very introductory Varizoom vest system for about 50 hours but looking to invest in a flyer soon, but after careful advice I read from Erwin Landau, I decided to take the course first, to prevent the "bad habits" from forming. I currently own a Glidecam 2000 (was purchased to make sure this is the right thing for me, and I LOVE IT) which I am used to film a few small shorts. Anyway I am available to be a intern assistant full time for 3 months after the course in may in the NYC area and would love to assist anyone who asks, for less then then Canadian dollar (Free!). Eager to meet you Kevin. -Kevin "Going to make "Steadi-Trainee" Tees for the SOA workshop" Krautle

Hi, my name is Kevin. I would like to say HI! I will be also attending the May workshop. Currently I am a thriving college Hi, my name is Kevin. I would like to say HI! to everyone in the forum! (First post!) I will be also attending the May workshop. Currently I am a thriving college student attending the beautiful Hofstra University. I am originally from Canada and now currently live in Westchester, NY for the past few years. I scratched the surface of steadicam with the Glidecam 2000 but now it is time to step up. I decided that now is the time to take a course to say away from the ?bad habits,? and also to learn which rig is for me. Currently I am eyeing the lightweight flyer, but I undecided, but that is what the course is for! I am excited to meet everybody! I do have to give my regards to this entire forum and say Thank You. The wealth of information that hides within here is astonishing. From the basics that I have learned a lot from JobScholtze (and respect dearly), to Jim Bartel with his beautiful posts about everything follow focus (You will be most likly seeing a check from me in the coming year(s)). Thanks. Kevin ?eager to take the course and learn? Krautle