Howard J Smith

Hi Chaps Just to let you know our stand number at NAB next week - it is C11419 Hope to see you all soon All the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Guys As some of my customers already know we have had a large delay in the delivery of the MK-V/Hummingbird LCD's - for which we are very sorry and have done everything possible to help (as with Juan lending him 2 modified Panasonics until they are ready) this is due to a knock on effect caused by Hummingbirds perfection and supplier problems. - as these are Not standard hummingbirds in a new box, it has taken much longer than we both expected. They were scheduled to be shipped early Nov latest. The new V2 MK-V/Hummingbirds are stunning and I am very please with it - I would love to say them, but I have one for NAB. The production run is being made as we speak and a very nice job too, and will be shipped in order of orders. The new V2 monitors have under gone major electronic and mechanical face lifts and are streets ahead of where they were (and the standard Hummingbird monitors) - they are total screened, built in heaters, user setable zoom, aspec ratios, different boarder levels, new framelines, centre cross off etc etc and no menu. I would like to take this moment to thank everyone for their patience and the very long wait - but I hope when you get your monitor in the next few weeks it will all be worth it. - And also please accept our apologies from both Hummingbird and MK-V. Not long now - please don't worry and sorry for the delay. Hope to see some of you soon at NAB All the best and fly safe Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi On Matrix (2&3) we used various methods of tracking - inc. the usual tracking balls (tennis balls hanging every 4 feet in a chain down against the screen, then tracking crosses.) Then we also used a 3D tracking system using either 3 film cameras locked together or 2 lipstick video cameras on the steadicam about 12" apart this then gives 3D tracking - John Geta is the man for this. There is also a software programe that can track from the rushes and then you can use this information to dive a motion control system. We have also done motion capure of Steadicam with data capture balls mounted to the steadicam please see - http://walterklassen.com/steadioperators.htm there is a shot of me using this. This was great as we were doing live comping - so I could see the comp on my steadicam monitor. - very useful for framing. (CG back grounds though) Then there is also the grid pattern on the green screen as well. - the computer knows every inch of the screen and then can track a background to this. I would be supprised if your VFX superviser has not got something arranged for you. Hope the shoot goes well, sounds like fun. All the best Howard

Hi David / chaps You beat me to it! Yes - I will also be in the MK-V USA office in CT from 16th to 26th May for all you guys on the East coast. So if you are interested please email me direct and we can start to book some dates in. Look forward to seeing you all soon All the best Howard J Smith howard@mk-v.com

Hi Richard / chaps How are you? Yes of course we will be doing UK/Europe training courses for the AR. Please email me direct for details. Speak to you soon Howard howard@mk-v.com

Hi Guys Just a quick one to say that we will be in LA very soon and we will be doing AR training days. If you are interested please email me howard@mk-v-usa.com so I can start booking people in. Hope to see you all soon Fly safe Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi mate Getting board is the best thing to do as then it will be second nature - like my "wax on - wax off" training - I used to put my walkman on and follow the crew around the set when ever I could. It is the same for remote heads - I have both an ARRI head and a HOT-Head and use them all the time. Regarding when to use one, it is all down to how confident you get with it - but sometimes the action is so fast there is no way and you have to go to a stick head. The film I did in Pargue I shot the whole picture on the ARRI head (as I didn't have anything else) and it looked great. the best thing about the geared head is the moves look so much better - also on a dolly the 'wheels' really help. - You can also get much more precision with the wheels especailly on the long lenses. Also worth mentioning if you get used to the ARRI - when you use a Pana head it is a bit odd (or Visa/versa), as you turn the wheel the amount you normally would and the frame is not the same as they have different gear ratios. (small but it makes a difference) Just keep practicing and then one day - as with steadicam you have to bite the bullet and go for it. Take care Howard

Hi Guys We will be over in LA early April for NAB. (and around for a few weeks after) If anyone would like to fly the MK-V 'AR' please email me - also we will be doing 'AR' training days. (please email me for details) Hope to see you all soon Many thanks Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Rob / Matt How are you? All will be revealed very soon... many thanks Howard

Hi Bob Sorry - I haven't had time to visit the forum recently - sooo busy with the AR's (and the Lite) And sorry I did not get your email. The Lite is great - I have been using it with the 235 (400' new steadymag and big primes with LDS) and it was sweet, sadly a little too heavy for the flyer arm. - but with 200' it would be great. (but with say a PRO arm with 2 blue springs in - Promo/running rig heaven!) We are finishing the system off in time for the BSC New Equipment show at Elstree next weekend - as soon as I have all the new 'bits', I will get some photos up for you (if I can work it out) if not I will email you direct (via the forum) the price is looking good around the $ 12,500 (without monitor) we have the new Genesis gimbal - this is a 1.5" cost effective version of the V2 Advanced Gimbal. This sled is great for all the smaller cameras PD170 etc. but it still uses all the standard MK-V parts so you can upgrade to a full 2" 4 stage post and Nexus of you wish. Hope this is of some help. Look forward to hearing from you please email me at howard@mk-v.com many thanks Howard

Michael I am all for free speach and having your own opinon... But slander is illegal and this is what your last post is. All of the MK-V products listed above have either been in the market for the last 5 years or are patented and design regestered, inc. the 4 stage (note 4 stage) 2" post and V2" advanced modular gimbal. MK-V prides itself on being original and innovative in all of its designs and concepts. Enough said. If anyone would like to contact me to know the diffences please feel free. Fly safe Howard

Hi Paul How are you? Yes it is a very simple mod - please see http://www.mk-v.com/MK-V_PRO_UPGRADE.htm For more details and price. If you have any questions please email me off forum. All the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Eric/Rob Eric - Thank you for the photos, it looks great! Rob - (how are you?) - If you look at the first photo you can see the monitor is on 'post 3' (with post 4 coming from this) and it is quite near the top of this post, you can of course slide the whole monitor assembly down to join post 1 (the one with the gimbal on) - the monitor arm is 2" and has inserts in so it is possible to mount this as well on 'post 1'. - Also to get the sled shorter you could use one big Anton Brick on the base as well. It is also possible to add an additional monitor arm to 'post 2' (this is in photo 1 - is below the gimbal, with the camera on) so you could have an LCD running low as well (powered from the spare 12v & Video from the Upper J-Box.) Also this upgrade system is 'AR' ready and with a minor mod to the base you can have either - AR, 2nd Video or Aux12v - I know the PRO already has this, but to do the AR we use some of the connections) If anyone has any questions please contact either me - or Eric. Thanks again All the best Howard J Smith MK-V

Hi Eric Sorry to hear about Ossie. Thank you for the post - Love to see some photos.... Hope the shoot is going well, I know what it is like on a picture trying to get photos done, but if possible it would be great to see your system in action. See you soon. Take care Howard

Hi Keith If you are based in the UK then we do training courses at MK-V and we also have MK-V hire with full feature ready systems. If you are interested we could teach you to do the type of shots you want to do (and some other stuff as well) and you would train on the hire system which you could then use for the show. Just a thought, but I have done this a few times now and it has worked very well. All the best Howard J Smith

Hi Job Thank you very much! And I look forward to meeting you. All the best and see you soon Howard

Hi BJ How are you? The AR's are on soak test at the moment and will be shipped shortly - I am hopeing to come out with them and do workshops and demos - I will of course keep you posted. Regarding Eric and Chris's posts - I am very proud of the MK-V V2" advanced Gimbal and it makes me smile to see that all the hard work is noticed - thanks chaps! As Chris and Eric have said there is a learing curve with the new gimbal, I found it takes around 1/2 a day to nail it. If anyone would like anymore info on either the AR (Alien Revolution), V2" advanced gimbal or the 'PRO' Upgrade, or any MK-V products please give me a call or email. All the best and fly safe! Howard www.mk-v.com

Hi Eric Thank you very much for the review of your New MK-V - PRO upgrade - I am so glad you like the system. If anyone is interested in the New MK-V - PRO upgrade (1 or 2) please email me. (photos on the website very soon) www.mk-v.com The Upgrade is basicly a 2" 4 stage super post, V2" Gimbal, V2" monitor arm (PRO compatible mount) and PRO compatible super slim J-Box. - Bolts striaght to the base system and the Donkey box. Hi BJ - The AR's are shipping in the next few weeks, they are so sweet now! So you will get to see one soon. Hi Stephen - I agree, let us see some photos Eric! Thanks guys All the best Howard J Smith MK-V (PRO is the trademark of GPI inc)

Hi Mark having had the same op - I was told 6 weeks - and please for your sake - do it (rest) You are prone to a hernia if you over do it too soon. get well - fly safe All the best Howard

Hi Danny If you are interested in doing a course in the UK, we do one on one 'steadicam' workshops teaching everything from advanced to beginners. If you are interested please email or call me. Many thanks Howard J Smith MK-V +44 (0)161-480-3007

Hi Layton How are you? happy new year! Well I would say no to this - 10-15 years ago when I had to do this, it was because no other cameras were availble, but now you can have a Moviecam SL and have a wonderful time - I am sure if it down to money (and it will be) and there is a lot of steadicam involved then it make much more money sense for them to get you a lighter camera. If you tell them you 'can' use the BL4 - But you will need many more breaks and rest time between takes and as the camera is so heavy you will not be able to work as long and as a result (you being tired/injured) the shots will be not as good. I have this several times in my career and now I just say no to the BL4 on steadicam - and 9 time out of 10 when you explain to them they get you the SL. If you have to use the camera - then get them to strip all the optical off the top and go with a 100% video tap - but it is still S**t. Also with the coax mags, it is just awful. I remember my worst day with this package strapped to me, was in Saudi at mid day - so hot - no water allowed and my crew were hiding from the heat (they were local). No docking stand near by - Never again!!! (that was after running up the sand dunes with it) Look after your slef NO 1 - and stand up to them and insist on a lighter camera. Take it from me, you will get very tired and you will hurt your slef - they won't thank you for it and you could spend the rest of you life with this injury - (take it from me). Some times it is best to walk away. Hope this helps Howard "No more BL4's" Smith

Hi Guys I would just like to wish a Happy New Year to all my friends around the world. I look forward to seeing you again in 2005. Take care and fly safe All the best Howard J Smith (Kelly and Rosie) :D

Hi Chris How are you? I have using and demoing the back mounted vests for 3 years now and I all have is good things to say. I have 4 vests that I use 1 traditional, 1 Lite, 2 x genesis and they are all very comfortable. I have shot 17 Mags in an afternoon with an Anomorphic LW Pana with all the toys on, and I felt great on wrap - I tried doing the same the year before with a front mount and at the end of the day I was lying on the floor in agony. My friend Chris McGuire did a continual 128 minute shot in low-mode with his on the football and was a bit stiff the next day, but otherwise fine. Regarding numbness - I have never had this, but your hip muscles do notice the difference and after the first day you will be a little sore, but after 5 mins work they are fine. Will would be good to coment on this as he has just upgraded his traditional and he say's it is even better. Hope this helps Cheers Howard

Hi Paul/Brad How are you? Both myself and Will Arnot tried both the new vest and the Genesis vest side by side. Garretts vest is a big improvement on the standard front mount, but we both felt it was not as comfortable as the genesis/traditional. I found I still had more control and comfort fully back mounted. (I have been 100% backmounted for the last 3 years, + 15 years front mounted) Will would you like to add anything to this? Also thanks to Frank and Kyle. All the best and happy holidays Howard