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Fabrizio Sciarra SOC ACO

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Posts posted by Fabrizio Sciarra SOC ACO

  6. Long Lens On Stairs

    in Operating

    Posted · Edited by Fabrizio Sciarra

    Hey Joel,

    I wouldn't worry much about the 85mm on stairs, subject is gonna fill up the frame, equal less visible lines :)(and mostly blurred)

     

    Instead, I would worry much more about the 535 on the stairs, you could easily end up tired even before to start shooting. Not saying you're not fit of course, but that pig isn't really a nice camera to fly on stairs.

    If I were in your shoes, I'd rather ask for a different camera set up for that particular shot, but that's me...

     

    ...And yeah, I wouldn't extend any of the post on stairs, the shorter you keep the sled the less is going to be the chance to have it on the knees....although with that lady on, I don't really know how short you'll maybe able to keep the post. Longer arm posts may help to keep the bottom stage a bit further, but it's up to the framing required for the shot of course.

     

    Wish you best of luck, let us know how things will be

  7. The quest for the perfect shoe

    in Operating

    Posted · Edited by Fabrizio Sciarra

    Hi Aaron,

     

    I agree with Damien. Salomon shoes work very well for me too. However, they are a narrow fit. Friends with medium-width feet claim that Merrels work well for them; for broader feet Tevas seem to do the job (though they tend to get smelly). All these shoes have one thing in common—a low, stable sole with some arch support, but little cushioning. Also, when you bend the shoes with your hands, they all bend at the same place as your feet do. Avoid shoes that bend in the middle. Little thought has gone into the design of the sole.

     

    I wrote 5 years ago in Steadicam Posture about footwear. There was evidence then that expensive training shoes caused more injuries than cheap ones. Do an internet search now on the subject, and you will find a huge amount of anecdotal evidence, but also a growing body of research to back that up. There are five problems with squishy soles. First, soft soles allow the many bones of our feet to change alignment with each other, stretching tendons, and causing articulating surfaces to rub against each other in unintended ways. Second, soft soles are inherently unstable, which can lead to injuries such as sprained ankles. Third, landing on a squishy surface leads us to 'plant' our feet harder in order to find stability. If you jump from a table wearing soft sneakers, and measure the deceleration at the level of your hips, then compare that to landing on bare feet, there is a difference. Try it. The effect is noticeable: unshod, you land cat-like. The softer the surface, the greater the tendency to 'plant.' If you've ever landed on a gymnastic mat, you'll know what I mean. Fourth, the feet are analogous to the hands, in that they provide us with one of the main tactile inputs from the environment. When a bare foot strikes the ground, millions of stretch receptors initiate spinal reflexes that prepare the muscles of the leg for the incoming shock wave in such a way as to protect the ankle, knee, and hip joints from damage. A soft-soled shoe pretty much robs you of that information. Finally—and to begin to answer your question, Aaron—soft shoes do affect your gait. Slow-motion footage of barefoot versus shod running (see YouTube) shows that there is no heel strike with barefoot running. Instead, you land on the ball of the foot in the same anatomical place as do most animals. You can clearly see the reduction of the shockwave running up the muscles of the leg that results. In walking, the difference is much less dramatic, since normal walking involves the heel landing first, but the slight attenuation of the heel-strike shock that results from wearing a stable shoe probably is beneficial too.

     

    Thanks, Anthony, for bringing the Vibram FiveFinger to my attention. I am hugely excited to try them out with Steadicam. When you switch from a spongy to a firm sole, your calf muscles have to do a lot more work, so I don't expect an easy transition. On the other hand, I don't see why my natural arch muscles shouldn't become strong enough, given a little training, to support themselves. In contrast, I am hugely suspicious of Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT shoes). The makers claim inspiration from how well the Masai walk barefoot, and have created a monstrously spongy shoe to make us pampered Westerners walk in the same natural way. Well, hello.

     

    As to the difference in walking with Steadicam as to walking without—and this is purely anecdotal—I have found that my own operating improves as I get closer to my usual walk. As I grow into Steadicam over the years, my operating walk more closely resembles how I walk in normal life. This might not apply to everyone, and of course will not apply to back-mount vest users since they have to maintain their hips level. I'd be very interested to know if anyone shares this experience.

     

    As Hippocrates, the father of Medicine, said nearly two and a half thousand tears ago: Walking is the best of all medicines.

     

    Chris

     

    Nice post dude!

     

    By the way, just throwing in my .2 cents, I've been using for years New Balance 907, 908 and lately 909, great shoes, very supportive and light; big downside is that they last next to nothing.

    Only recently, decided to try out the Merrel Chameleon Wrap Slam (what a name!) and found them astonishing comfortable and rigid at the same time. Only negative point I could find is that they are a bit heavier than the NB. Oh, only for cold winters as they are really worm shoes!

    Happy flying

  10. BVE Steadicam Operators night

    in News, Events, Workshops

    Posted · Edited by Fabrizio Sciarra

    So what day is Operator Drinking day? Tuesday?

     

     

    http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=59...027874&z=16

     

    Certainly I'll be there Tuesday. Thursday I've a music video and I don't like to drink the day before a job. So i'll be in the neighborhood Tuesday and possibly (sober) on Wednesday.

     

    Text me when your there on Tuesday! 07970 025 389

     

    I'll be there on Tuesday as well; we'll be in touch then. Thanks for the link

  13. BVE Steadicam Operators night

    in News, Events, Workshops

    Posted

    Hi all,

    for who's coming up at this year's BVE (Broadcast Video Expo) in London, It would be nice to organize a Steadicam Operators dinner/beer in some nice pub nearby the expo.

     

    There still chance to register for a free pass at the expo, here is the link:

     

    http://www.broadcastvideoexpo.co.uk/

     

    Dates are 16th to 18th of February

     

    Let me know who's interested,

     

    Should be fun!

    ...and should be possible go to WESTHAM Utd. match?.

    ....I´m forever blowing bubbles.... :P :P

    I think, Mr. Robin Thwaites is a "tifo" about and he will invites us..... ha ha ha ha

     

    Hey Amando, are you coming up ? Would be great to have you here!

  15. Flying 3D rigs?

    in Cameras (Film/Video/HD)

    Posted

    Judging from the length of the post in that RED picture, Thomas, that's gotta be an unpleasant payload (I love that it disappears below frame at what looks like full extension with no hint of monitor or base of sled, as if it keeps going another two feet).

     

    LOL

  20. Segway

    in Steadicam Marketplace - Wanted

    Posted

    Looking around for a used segway. I had one, but as the segway was original, de rest was a bad copy. So back on the search.

     

    Greets

     

    Hey mate, Happy New Year!

     

    It may be well worth to get in touch with Reinhard directly (http://www.handsfree-transporter.com), when I called him a while ago he has a second hand guaranteed unit at a very nice price.

     

    By the way, just done a Handsfree workshop with Chris here in London, lots of fun!

    He is as well somebody to get in touch with for any related question.

     

    Let us know if you'll find your new toy

    Best

    F

  22. Dealmaking and Rates

    in Legal / Business Practices

    Posted

    Fellow operators!

     

    I justed wanted to add that we are troubled with the same circumstances here in Europe. I for myself have to deal on almost every production. Interesting to see that today more bigger productions fight more for a low price on our services. Terrible. I find myself struggling every time. And even for one-day commercial shoots they push you down. We need to keep in mind that a producers job is to keep everything as low as possible. Our job is to keep everything level - what a double meaning! ;-) I think, as Robert said, we need to learn how to keep our price level. Maybe you come up with a higher rate and let the producers deal it down to your regular rate.

     

    Well, it is not possible to globalize a price policy here but just wanted to let you know that we are all in the same boat.

     

    Keep level.

    Lukas

     

    Ditto

  23. Need to step it up

    in Steadi-Newbies

    Posted · Edited by Fabrizio Sciarra

    While you are looking, consider older/used full-size rigs that may end up costing the same amount as a shiny new one with lesser load capacity.

    Right, but this raises a whole bunch of questions, for example:

     

    What typical used full-size rigs are best for a newbie. And since money is an issue for me, what is a ballpark minimum price range for a decent used full sized rig?

     

    Many interesting questions, let me throw in my two cents:

    Most of the time money is an issue for a newbie, so you're not alone ;) ; that said, there are many rigs available as a second hand, prices may vary A LOT depending on what you're looking for.

    I.E. I know many fellows who got old 3A to start and they've been happy with that, a very low budget choice but great weight capacity. From there on there's basically no limit, up to few months old equipment that still shine and come sold in packages with all bells and whistles included. Is really up to your philosophy and needs. Staying on well known brands it will help a lot, considering after sale service as a factor

     

    Where are the best places to buy a used rig. Obviously, the Steadicam Marketplace on this forum is one good place, but are there others?

     

    Buying on this forum will help you to avoid most of unknown offers I.E. ebay sales (I'm not a big fun of it).

     

    Are there things to watch out for? Any common flags that would make you worry?

     

    When buying a second hand rig, the smartest thing to do is to send it straight to the factory for a FULL check up, personally never regret it, money well spent.

     

    What about accessories? Would you buy a used Bartech, or just spring for a new one? What about used batteries?

     

    Again a personal choice; bfd is a great piece of equipment, if you buy from a known owner and you know the equipment has been kept nicely, why not. You may want to consider that on accessories, normally, the saving is not that big as on rigs, unless you're talking about very old equipment (but then reliable?

     

    Any hints on making the deal?

     

    I just have this feeling that buying a used rig requires a lot more knowledge than buying a new one. For example, if something isn't working right on a new rig, you can usually just send it in and they fix it for free. With a used rig, it may cost a lot to have someone fix it.

     

    Absolutely true. I wouldn't go for a used thing, unless I'm "sure" will serve me well.

    A personal advice, if you go for a used rig, choose something reliable instead of full of things that may brake on the way. But that's of course my point of view.

    As a general rule, I prefer to go for NEW electronic stuff (I.E. monitors) as much as possible, and then save bucks on a good and well treated second hand sled (simple and nice without naming brands otherwise the thread becomes this is better than that and we never end.... :blink: )

    Any advice appreciated.

    Hope it helps!

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