Brant S. Fagan SOC

Kurt-- I have a device that may be of service for this type of vehicle shot. I built this receiver hitch mount for hard mounting to my father's Polaris Ranger...but it also fits any 2" receiver hitch. I have done many shoots with a Kawasaki Mule...check the pics below. Let me know if you need this unit for your shoot, email me off board at brant@brantsfagan.com. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator

Ladies and Gents-- Missing Something? Technologies is proud to be able to now accept PayPal for Anters V2 orders. Yes, we have FINALLY joined the 21st century! Remember, both Jerry and I are working Steadicam operators and spend lots of time away from home, family, and our pile of Antlers! The Antlers V2 cost is US$875. plus shipping. Please be aware that we must charge a fee to cover the fee that PayPal charges us to accept the funds. For most cases this fee is US$40. Still better than many of the wire transfer fees that are charged by intermediary banks along the route from your home bank to our account in the US. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us before you place an order. We will have a MS?T email address for PayPal useage and post that address shortly. Thanks for all your support over the years! Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator Missing Something? Technologies, LLC

Gents-- Sounds like a small man with small man issues. I state my case right up front and let them know what I expect of them. When they grab MY rig, I respond with a smile and state that it costs more if they operate when I am wearing the rig. If things get out of hand in terms of disrespect, I reply with something like "Let's go to work," and walk away from them. I have had a few "big time" DPs treat me this way over the years. Take the high road and leave them in the dust so they look like fools. Be classy and do it with a straight face. It makes them crazy and leaves no room for more abuse. Just remember who is "in charge" and treat them like you should be treated; the rest of the crew will see this for what it is. Don't take the crap without a killer rental on the muck boots and keep smiling! It makes them mad. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator

Gents-- The Steadicam® trademark belongs to GB and is licensed to Tiffen. Get permission from GB and I can help you out. Email me off board. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator

Ladies and Gents-- For the convenience and ease of shopping for our customers, we are now accepting PayPal for Antlers V2 payments from PayPal Verified members. Please contact me via email at either: firebrand@fmis.net --or-- brant@brantsfagan.com We ask that you cover any fees from this operation so that we (MS?T) receive the full amount for the Antlers V2 and any shipping fees. If you have your own FedEx account, we are happy to ship using that arrangement. By extension, this will also be allowed for VLS orders as well. Thanks for all your support and business! Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator Missing Something? Technologies, LLC

Peter-- Just to clarify, it was '91 and remember that horrible full gale that we all arrived in? Yuk. Right on with the Helga, no luck finding that but I did find myself without a trip to California or serious meditation. Why did we have to wear those masks for the Friday Wrap party? Just what is a focus tube anyways? Do ad agancies really get help from them? Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator

Elliott-- For spare parts like that EFP Vest Spar, you should contact Derrick Whitehouse as he had purchased a large stock from the old Cinema Products company some years back. He is a member of this Forum and can be reached through his profile. If Derrick is unable to help (rare indeed) give me a call 603-826-3445 or email at firebrand@fmis.net as I may be able to get that part rebuilt for you. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator

Ladies and Gents-- As of 12 noon EDT, the Antlers V2 production run is complete. And 1/2 of the run is already SOLD OUT. If you placed an order, please submit your payment immediately. If you are on the fence, think about leaping sooner rather than later. If you are in the US, you can pay by check. If you are not in the US, you may pay via wire transfer. Get me your shipping address for a FedEx quote or supply your account information; I will send you the bank information as well. I can be reached either by firebrand@fmis.net or telephone at 603-826-3445 9A-8P EDT. Get 'em while they last! Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator Missing Something? Technologies, LCC

Colin-- I am glad you like your new VLS. I will post some pictures of the VLS setup in another post and send them to your email off board. My question is, with that in place and set correctly, why do have a need to flip the image to display correctly on your rig monitor? Best, Brant

Patrick-- The person you need to communicate with is Paul Dudeck at A/B. Paul is extremely knowledgable with regard to technical support for many genres. Paul has backed me and many other Steadicam® operators for over a decade. He also is a member of this Forum. Good Luck. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Ladies and Gents-- I think I see a pattern here. To "borrow" from the MOVCAM site, (novel concept given the thread here), I can see the root of the problem. "Pro-s 3A incorporates world top designing theory and technological achievements. It utilizes modular design." Yes, they have managed to take from others, claim superiority, and make it sound like an honest product. Phooey! Just look at the composition of the photographs on the site! Note the operator's form and hand grip. My own ACME Gimbal took huge amounts of time, money, engineering, blood, sweat, and sleepless nights. But we prevailed and they are awesome. When I developed the VLS, I spent more than a year noodling with concepts and ideas. I would wager that reverse engineering these products may have taken as long to get right. But with little honest reward. Just how much joy could they reap from this kind of process? In my book, joy does NOT equal cash. I wonder how they feel looking in the mirror each morning? Must be a different way of life over there. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam®/Camera Operator

Gents-- There are so many variations in how we all use our Steadicam® gear. What one operator would choose to use to alert crew persons to the Antlers might seems excessive to another. Some folks use a colored tape strip wrapped around the outer diameter of their weights while others sacrifice tennis balls... After thinking long a hard about an appropriate solution, I have come to the conclusion that some dangling miniature cow bells would be the most effective impact deterrent. Along the lines of padding, I can suggest the closed cell foam found in pipe insulation to be the most cost effective aftermarket addition beyond simply taping the OD for visibility. The Antlers are only as dangerous as you make them. People usually don't just walk in front of buses, so make them aware you are there. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Gents-- Here are some pics of the new V2 set. The new weights are steel with a black Zinc plating. Notice that they clamp themselves--no more collars. Nice finish and it matches very nicely to the black anodizing. DPs and Directors will never know what hit them! Also, the dovetail grabber is made with a new hole pattern for lightening and better rigidity. The lower receiver has slots for adjusting the centering of the riser columns to maintain dynamic balance. For those hesitating, this production run is 1/3 sold-out already! Make a move now to ensure you get what you need...before the wind picks up! If you have any questions, please feel free to call me direct at 603-826-3445 or email me at firebrand@fmis.net Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Gents-- I just spoke with my source at A/B and have the following news. Due to TSA shipping rules regarding Class 9 HAZMAT items, these new Hi Current batteries will most likely be in the 75 Watt-Hour range to allow for trouble free passage and shipping. Size would be comparable to a Dionic 90 case and probably weigh about 1.5 pounds. Now just doing my own math, I would like to have pairs A/B Gold Mount-plated together for camera power and one rear battery for 12 accessories power, most likely a Hytron 140. This would allow my BFX II sled to remain in dynamic balance even with the new power-pair batteries. Completion and shipping dates? Still TBD but looking like summer to me but that is a guess. Even in that power range, I would certainly be a happy user of this product! Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Ladies and Gents, Having been an instructor at the Malibu Classic, the SOA, and the Rockport Workshops, I can safely say they are all special and worthwhile experiences. Each has in intrinsic values and characteristics. I can report that I have learned more from teaching them each an every time I visit one of these places. Insight comes from many methods and each Workshop has it's unique style and format. You can not go wrong with any of these but you will reap what you sow. Your benefits come from your efforts and willingness to learn from both the instructors' experience but also from your fellow classmates. Good luck. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Folks-- The V2 Antlers look almost identical to the V1 set. The major differences lie in the weight(s) material and finish, the hole pattern on the dovetail grabber, and the crossbar itself. All other components are the same with the exception of the weight retention collars as they have been eliminated by the new weight design. I will post some component pictures tomorrow night as I am dropping by the shop tomorrow (Wednesday) in the morning. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Ladies and Gents-- Missing Something? Technologies is proud to finally announce the (almost) complete production run of their long awaited V2 Antlers! Jerry Holway and I are pleased to announce that a batch of the new Antlers V2 will be complete and ready to ship in two (2) weeks. The new V2 Antlers feature more adjustability (riser centering) with regard to different dovetail plate arrangements, better weight retention system, and a new look for the weights; black zinc plating on the steel cored weights! We loved the rich nostalgic patina that the bronze weights developed over time, but soaring materials costs pushed us to seek an alternative to that material. Now, the weights sport a smooth black finish that fits nicely with Steadicam® finishes and accessories. We know that many of you have been waiting for some time for a chance to purchase a set. We acknowledge your frustrations with equal feelings of our own for various reasons. Due to a steep rise in the price of quality aluminum stock we have been forced to raise our price as well. Antlers V2 will now cost US$875. plus shipping. The Antlers ship in a FedEx tube which weighs approximately 11 pounds. As in the past, we accept checks drawn on US banks in US dollars. For our international customers, we prefer wire transfers. We know that many of you would like to use credit cards so we may accept PayPal if the fees are paid from your end; which is around 4% of the funds transfered. Get us your information for shipping quotes so we can get these out to you without delay. We are now accepting orders so get in touch ASAP to get in on this run today! The best way to contact us is: email to firebrand@fmis.net or Brant's home phone, 603-826-3445 9A-6P EDT, for orders and questions. Thanks for your support and patience! Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator Missing Something? Technologies, LLC

Gents-- Herein lies the inherent problem with other low mode handle clamps; they rely on the "integrity" of the plastic handle and/or the undersized hardware used to attach them to the chassis. Afton's solution to the problem at hand is yet another example of why I began R&D on the VLS almost two years ago. Most video camera handles are far and away much less substantial than say a carry handle on a M60 machine gun or a NASCAR lightweight hydraulic jack. They are meant to lift the camera from the case and place it on a tripod or other means of camera support. This is the elegance of the VLS in a nutshell: you can now grasp the camera without depending on the plastic handle or the undersized hardware with rigidity heretofor unheard of in the video camera world. This kind of bracketry was common for film cameras but not for video. Now you can have your cake and lowmode too! Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Gents-- Here's yet another way to make the VLS work for you! Afton--Even if you could make the VLS too tight, I can't see how you could affect the angle of the dangle of the lens. Yes, this does make the functionality of an upright camera the way of the day. I still have VLS units in stock and ready to ship to those in need. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Frederic-- This sounds like a great addition to the Steadicam kit! How about physical dimensions? Standard or Metric, no problem. Also, for those not so computer savvy, what are the hard drive options and requirements? Any idea on power draw? Thanks! Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Gents-- Best meters made: Fluke. Get yourself a Fluke 10. Check the usual online sources. Got mine so long ago forgot the price. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Gents-- I can't say exactly where this information comes from but I can say that this potential new item would be something just for the Steadicam community, not a general sales item. I got the feeling that this was something on a "fast track" [my ""] and something we could potentially see very soon, like in several months. Like Mark, I am faced with a new battery buy soon to handle both kinds of cameras. I have been looking at all options and have not as yet found a plan that I like. When these new A/B items hit the street, I want them. Most folks have a battery preference for their own personal reasons. I for one am not pleased with the potential need to change out mounts in addition to purchasing new batteries. Big current draw and high voltage startup demands are tops on the list for all of us but we are all wise to the need to standardize and simplify our technical systems so we may concentrate on creative challenges. Whenever I get my hands on more information, I will pass it along. My big question to the community, who wants 'em? Best, Brant "Watching the snow..FINALLY!" Fagan, SOC

Gents-- I just heard this week that A/B should be coming out with a new high-current lithium-ion battery pack very soon. I will post more information as soon as I can. For me, this would be a great upgrade for my sled since I run with two (2) battery positions and would love to have two Li ion batteries and still be able to run a 435 or even a PFX Genesis. Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator

Gents-- Anyone thinking low mode for video should be thinking of my fantastic and totally solid VLS. Forget clamping to a plastic handle and relying on 8 M3 screws to hold your camera in place. Think SOLID and SAFE. Look at the picture below and rethink your plans. Best, Brant "Waiting for the snow in NH" Fagan, SOC

Gents-- Any of the batteries we use should be properly recycled or recelled as they are considered to be hazardous materials. No matter the battery chemistry, they should all be handled and recycled properly. Anton/Bauer will accept dead packs for recycling at any time. Another use I have found is the old batteries work really well as weights for use in a modelling situation like the 1/8 scale R/C boats I build in the winter. Boy, those old ProPacs work great for holding components while the glue sets! Good ideas come from necessity! Best, Brant S. Fagan, SOC Steadicam/Camera Operator