Nicholas Davidoff

Thanks Randy, that's a good price for a DB-2. I'll keep it in mind but I'm really looking for a DB-1 right now for a smaller rig. So if anybody has a DB-1 for sale please get in touch. And I'll PM you about those Preston rings.

Looking for an old style DB-1 donkey box or something equivalent which is compatible with Pro or old Derose style centerposts and baseplates. Thanks, ~ Nick (310) 567-9668 NicholasDavidoff@hotmail.om

"Big" rigs and "Big" cameras aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Certainly not in the feature film and TV industries. I estimate 90% of these projects are shot on cameras over 20 pounds. And will continue to be for years to come.

Beautiful point of view Janice. Very thoughtful and inspiring.

Regarding flying a Red on a 20 pound rig, here's a few things to keep in mind. If you show up on any Red set, especially smaller, indie movies, you're looking at flying all or most of the following items: -Red body -Clip on matte box, maybe with an eyebrow, hard matte -Add one or two glass filters -A lens which could be as light as a Zeiss superspeed or heavy as an Arri Ultraprime or Hawk anamorphic. It's always gonna be a different lens package and some are not light. -Perhaps a Red Hard drive for various reasons, plus all matching bracketry. Can't guarantee you'll always get CF cards. -The Red on-board monitor, for multiple reasons primarily so your non-union level focus puller can keep his job. -Maybe a cinetape, for the same reason as above. -A comtec and time code generator for the sound dept so editors will have guide track. -Downconverter box, either Aja or Decimator -HD transmitter, plus mounting bracketry. -Maybe a Red base plate, top or bottom, 15 or 19mm rods that may or may not be compatible with your motor rod setup. Also need a place to mount HD Transmitter, Hard drive, etc... -An extra iris motor, maybe even zoom motor -A big spaghetti bowl of cables to run all this stuff -Maybe a Red battery if your rig can't power high amps up the post. -Ring light or on board light panel with battery pack Every Red job I've ever done, big or small has required all or most of these items to ride on the rig. I couldn't imagine lasting a single day on these jobs if I had a Flyer. I haven't bothered to weigh this setup but I know it pushes well past 20 pounds. If I would have told the DP and producers that I can't fly many of these items because my rig is not ready for prime time, that would be my last day on that job. Yes, even the little crappy jobs. "My rig can't take the weight" is simply not a viable argument to try to modify the camera package or fly in a limited capacity. Just giving you a constructive heads up. Flyer might be good for little cameras and maybe putting a Red on a flyer might slide on some freebies or student projects, but when you bring your Flyer to an actual Red (or Alexa) job, you're setting yourself up for huge embarrassment. Not to mention a damaged reputation. Please fellas, think twice before showing up on pro sets with junior level equipment. To answer your question Blair, if you intend to get serious about this job, my advice is better raise the capitol and get the right gear BEFORE you get the bigger job. So you show up prepared and properly equipped, and you MIGHT have some chance of success. I know it's a catch 22, but the other way simply can't work.

Anybody have any old style Preston handset rings laying around? By this I mean the ones without the black thumbknob. They are much thicker and less flexible than the new style rings. I'll buy whatever you got, wether it's a couple or several. THanks, ~ Nick (310) 567-9668 NicholasDavidoff@hotmail.com

Done. Thanks.

Love your 10 step Ron. Great stuff!

Thanks for the info guys. Benjamin, what do you mean by, "Kenyon converter doesn't like 14.4 volts"? Does this mean that any voltage over 14.4 will blow a fuse? Or fry the inverter? Some of our AB batteries come hot of the charger at 14.6 and higher sometimes. Can you elaborate?

Thanks for the support Kevin. And yes, I've seen first hand some low budget producers' hiring criteria these days and you would be shocked.

Anybody have a steadicam stand they want to sell? It can be any condition as long as it works. I'm looking for a low combo stand to support a full weight rig. American or Modern Studio style would be fine, one or two riser. Don't need any wheels, just a stand. Thanks, ~ Nick (310) 567-9668 NicholasDavidoff@hotmail.com

I know the meeting you're referring to, but keep in mind, many of us have also had numerous meetings in the last 2 months. Strange, I do recall having a PM conversation with you, but you wanted to keep the discussion online since our "circle" (which includes Brian and Jess) didn't include any "heavy hitters"? Meanwhile, I think we have over a dozen operators (some owners, some just operators) in frequent communication with each other, all quoting the same rates to the same producers, all sharing work when one of us is booked. Maybe we're not doing EVERYTHING the "heavy hitters" do, but I'd say our tactics of frequent, open communication between fellow ops is serving us well. I think Steadicam still is a small world, but the industry has grown significantly (vertically with bigger shows, and horizontally with more indie jobs). Our "small world" was bound to grow. Sure, our market is becoming saturated with overnight Steadicam owners, but in my opinion: what does that have to do with my business? My clients are happy with me, and I look forward to working with them again. The clients you want should know quality from garbage. If they just want the lowest bidder, then they'll get what they paid for. Personally, I don't want to be the guy whose pissed off at everyone else for the way they run (or run down) their business. I want to be the guy clients want to go to because I've proven my worth. I'll stay competitive, but I still gotta bid jobs as what's right and fair. Too low? Don't take it. If they're pinching pennies for the bottom floor lowest bid, chances are they don't know what they're shopping for anyway. I honestly think your cynicism is painting a VERY strong picture of you on the forums, one that may come back to haunt you. I haven't even met you yet, and I find myself battling a negative mental image of you. All the more reason why rates discussions, venting, frustrations, rants et al belong in person, over some libations and unhealthy food. If you're frustrated, and believe me, we ALL are, give me/us a call. Let's go grab some wings and beers and talk this crap out. I got a list of over a dozen fellow ops who'd LOVE to commiserate over this! Bill, you are correct, we did get in touch I think through regular email and I also got in touch with a couple other people on my own. So a more accurate number should probably be 2 or as many as 3 operators who got in touch with me from the post regarding a meeting. Considering the multiple hundred people who read the threads, I was really expecting a much higher number, so this was pretty disappointing. Indeed a small meeting was in the works and then got postponed and postponed again pending operators' availability including my own. I would love to get together with a bunch of ops and see if we could hash out some solutions to what's going on. Unfortunately (or fortunately) as of late I've been working quite a bit, mostly out of town and barely been in L.A. Throw in a newborn baby and I've got free time like CL has union gigs. Even now, I'm back in town for a bit and leave again in a week. Although I'm very thankful to be busy and working, I regret not having more time to commit to supporting our community right now. What I will do is send a few PM's to some interested parties with some ideas that I would bring to the meeting. So wether or not I'm there in person, I could still contributing something. I'll get in touch with some of you about it. But as far as forum discussions on these matters, I've stated my case and I'm really gonna stay out of them from now on. And Bill, you mentioned a few meetings you recently put together. Did anything come of these meetings? Please share. Or PM me if it's private. In regards to painting a negative picture of myself, yeah I guess that was expected. But I can assure you it's not who I am. I'm a polite and decent fellow who cracks jokes, gives nice gifts and helps elderly ladies cross the street. I never backstab or screw people over and i've always respected and supported my fellow craftspeople. I've had nothing but great reviews on every job I've worked so far and I'd love to know if anyone has heard otherwise. But yes, sometimes I speak my mind, direct and unfiltered. And a few people respect me for that. I decided to share some of my not so positive views because I know that many other ops I've talked to share the same frustrations. I probably could have framed things in a softer way, but I bet that would lessen the impact. I put it out there as some fodder for thought and discussion. I believe these views may have been very helpful to some people new to the industry to present a more realistic and complete overall picture. I think you may be doing some people a great dis-service by misleading them into thinking that steadicam is for everybody and encouraging whoever to buy a rig and "get into it" and "welcome aboard". Some of these people may end up losing much valuable time and money because of unrealistic expectations. There's so much positive support here which is a wonderful and beautiful thing, but it's an incomplete picture. I thought hey, somebody should play the prick for a minute and throw in a bit of stark reality. I'm sorry if I don't pop a boner every time somebody announces "Hey I just moved here and I'm looking for work" or "I just got a rig and I'm putting up a craigslist ad". I know of way too many talented, unemployed veteran operators out there. That's where I'm coming from. And I'm glad I put this out there and I hope that some good comes of it when all is said and done. I sincerely apologize to anyone whom I offended or disappointed. I'll shut up now. Happy flying guys and gals!

A great discussion this has turned into. I'm glad I stirred some of this up. Jess brings up some good points as does everyone else. Rob, I'm glad to hear there is some level of camaraderie in your corner of the industry. I haven't really been feeling it in the low-mid budget feature world lately, but it would be great if it came our way. Jess, 99% of the time I'm the super friendliest guy on earth. I've booked several jobs on craigslist as well, in the nicest manner, and yes, I've managed to up the rates a bit, but not by much. And those numbers still continue to decline. What used to be $500-ish has become $300-ish and sliding. Next stop? I don't wanna think about it. I still strongly believe that every time someone publicly posts a horrible rate like that, it damages our industry and those people should be "enlightened" at the very least. When I saw that post and that freakish offer, I just couldn't help myself, I had to nip it in the bud. Ironically, it looks like they took my advice. They reposted on CL, this time requesting rate quotes. Bravo! Too bad I can't apply, damn! And Brian, as far as coming across as a jerk, you might have me there. But "whining" I would have to disagree with. I'm presenting some views and opinions from my perspective. Maybe they're not pleasant to hear, but I can guarantee you from personal experience that many other operators feel the same way. I just went so far as to speak up about it at the risk of sounding like a jerk. And I'm glad it's stirring up some juicy discussions. A while back I posted about organizing a meeting regarding constructive solutions to the rate crisis. Sounded like a good idea. That meeting is in the works with a few fellow operators, but you know how many PM's I got from my post? One... One single operator PM'd me who was interested in getting proactive. A gentleman who had just recently bought himself a Flyer. Process these statistics as you wish. But with my newfound positive attitude, what I've opened my eyes to after reading some of your opinions is that you just gotta go with the flow man. There's probably little to be done to "change things". Our industry is what it is and it's changing and you gotta change with it. It seems that now, more than ever, our business is highly competitive. With so many operators competing for fewer jobs, this means that only the brightest and most dedicated have any chance of making a living. It's tougher than ever to become an operator, steadicam or otherwise. It should probably make us all work harder and strive for greater excellence in our craft. Several years ago steadicam was a much smaller field. Everyone knew eachother and they all could easily network and "stick together". But today, for the most part, it's becoming more of a cut-throat, survival of the fittest industry. I've witnessed it first hand in the real world. And it's sad that not all of us are gonna get a piece of the pie. But maybe it's not necessarily a bad thing. Competition brings out the best in people so may the very best shine through, I guess. Speaking of which, I better strap on the rig and get back to my line exercises...

Perhaps you're right Brian. Maybe I've been a whiny jerk lately. It's tough when you watch this craft you love and respect just kind of de-evolve. At least on the lower spectrum. Thanks to low baller productions and too many underqualified people jumping into the business. And I'm sure this trickles up somehow. I didn't see anything changing by being positive. I'm merely pointing out a few things that suck about our industry. I'm also trying to shed a little light on the reality of things. I see few people doing that around here. Keeping things sugar coated and friendly and happy can also be damaging on the flipside. You've met me in person. I'm a super nice and positive dude. But sometimes I speak my mind. But like I said, I'll try to keep myself out of these discussions from now on, unless I have something positive to share. But I'm glad I've inspired some response and maybe a little discussion, maybe that's positive? In regards to the $100/day producers, that was the first time I wrote such a harsh letter. I was just curious what the response would be. It was fun to read. Maybe next time I'll tone it down just a bit, but I will definitely continue to educate lowballer and beginner level producers about the true value of what we're worth and what we do. And I'll try to keep it positive somehow.

Yeah, you're probably right Ron. No point in getting all emotional about this stuff. Too many ops, not enough jobs. Way it goes. Can't change it, just deal with it. I should be happy I'm getting by. Bring on the beer and the Lisigav!

It's nice that you were able to up your rate Alfeo. We all try and sometimes succeed. But where do you go from $100 a day? Crank it up to $150? $200 tops. Maybe some gas money? Yeah, maybe I'm a bit harsh. But I find if you're sweet and friendly all the time you let yourself get stepped all over. Sometimes an in your face approach can really drive home your point to a clueless producer and maybe make them think a little. The "producers" responded to me and apparently I'm blacklisted from all these guys' future projects. A real tragedy. That's alot of $100 days I just missed out on. But in the end, I bet they'll think twice about publicly posting a lowball offer that hurts us all. They didn't see the harm in this. Maybe I'm missing something here? And by the way, "Ignoring these offers as a steadfast community" is a fantastic idea, in theory. It would be awesome if we all stuck together and they couldn't find a single operator who would deal with them. But you know that's not the real world. What I've discovered lately is that there is no community here. Nobody is "sticking together". Maybe it used to be this way but not today. So while most of us choose the "stay silent" approach and ignore the problems of our industry, perhaps there's a few renegade operators who might stand up and take a little action and make they're voices heard and maybe inspire some little bit of change. These "let's stick together" posts keep popping up every few months and they usually go nowhere. It's frustrating to see them all the time. In the past, I threw in my two cents to inspire some discussion and some action, but I got extremely minimal support. So I'll probably just let it go and keep myself out of these pointless discussions from now on. Hopefully others will have more success.

Hey guys, in case you're curious, here's the reply I got from the $100/day producers whom I sent that friendly email to. I somehow feel like I'm no longer in the running for this job: From: Production Eagles <prodeagles@gmail.com> Subject: Steadicam Operator To: nicholasdavidoff@yahoo.com Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 11:16 PM Ahaha you are so funny David. It's so funny that you actually just worked with this great actor and he loves art and filmmaking. He appreciates it so much that he's going to work on this project just to support young filmmakers, but you can only hate a low budget film, you only work for the studios at $1000/day right? Sorry we can't add 1 more 0 to your ego. Where is all this anger coming from? I am just thinking why do you go look for work on cl if you are so experienced? Peace and we shall never cross roads again... -------------- Here's the reply I sent them back --- I don't know who your actor is any more than I know who you are. And regardless of actors and oscars and who and what not, the rate you're offering for any feature length project is insulting. We are professional craftsmen and even the worst of us go for at least a few hundred dollars for a half day. I'm sure you'll find some hack to work on your project. But it's people like you who are taking advantage of hard working craftspeople investing in a business and trying to make a living. The rates you're offering are not only below our standards but below legal minimum wage as well. Illegal immigrant shit shovelers at Home Depot make more money. Posting the rate you did is very damaging to our particular industry as operators, because other producers will perceive that as the new "going rate" for steadicam. Others will start offering the same rates and our wives and children will starve and our homes will go into foreclosure. This is where the "anger" comes from. This is the damage people like you do to people like us when you publicly post the shit offers which you did. This is the view from where we're standing. In the future, at least do like others and request a rate and reel and let people know your offer in a private conversation. Lucky for me, I'm a working operator and I don't rely too much on small craigslist jobs. But postings like this get around our community. And I feel a sense of duty not only to my steadicam colleagues but to other film professionals to tell people like you to go f&*% yourselves. ~ Nick --------------- Hmm, I hope I'm not burning any major bridges.

Dean, It's a very bad idea to post rates publicly on this or any other forum. Especially when they are as low as your standards. It would be great for all of us if you would go back and edit your post and delete the rates you have put up. Many of us are fighting (very unsuccessfully) to maintain some integrity with respect to proper steadicam rates. Clueless jackasses left and right are buying toy rigs and selling themselves out for a few hundred bucks a day. This is damaging enough as it is, but posting crappy rates on public forums and especially advertising them on craigslist is really driving the final nails in the coffin. Please guys, you're turning steadicam and camera operating into a lame everyman's craft and it shouldn't be that and hopefully never will.

HA HA!!! Stick together... What a concept... I think one lesson learned here is at these modern day rates, who could possibly make any money as a steadicam operator? Your investment will never pay off. You've gotta be an idiot to dump $50K+ into a rig so you can work for $100 a day. The market is dead. Get out while you can!!! In the meantime, if you want to fight these ridiculous Craigslist posts you should immediately FLAG, FLAG, FLAG them! Or perhaps send them a friendly letter explaining why their offer may be a bit below industry standards. For example, here's the nice, personal email I sent to this particular feature film production: "F@#% you and your oscar and your actor and your piece of s#*% movie and your ridiculous $100 a day for steadicam." Warm regards, ~ Nick Davidoff

Thanks for the reply Robert, and I'm sorry if I was unclear. This is a union feature and all the fights we're shooting are exactly as you've described. Professionlly staged and choreographed by top fighters and choreographers. I've shot many (staged) fights to this day and am very familiar with the conventional angles and approaches to fight photography. I was wondering if there were any unusual or uniques tips, tricks or camera rigs some of you may have used to spice up fight scenes.

Can anybody explain the difference between the $400 AC/DC gyro voltage converter from Kenyon (here) and the $2,500 gyro voltage converter from GPI???

I'm working on a project where we're shooting A LOT of fights. MMA and martial arts action almost daily. Handheld, steadicam, dolly, crane, you name it. I was wondering if anybody might have some cool tips and tricks they can to share on how to really spice up the fight photography. Maybe add some variation between fights, dynamic and overall impact. Maybe some stories on what works and what doesn't, I'd love to hear 'em.

Are you guys RETARDED? Advertising "pro bono" work on craigslist, and you guys are actually seriously discussing this? Shame. Our industry is officially in the shitter thanks to this crap. Blair, by advertising free (or super cheap) steadicam services you'd be screwing all of your fellow operators and making lots of enemies while you're at it. Do some proper research on this forum, read all the threads about rates and business practices. Craigslist is a for the most part, a big joke and it's no way to make a living. I once put a fake ad on craigslist for a cheap steadicam op and got like fifty replies, so keep in mind you've got alot of competition out there. Think twice about dumping your life savings into a rig. The industry right now is bursting at the seems with unemployed hacks and wannabes. My advice is to make sure you have something to fall back on because steadicam wont pay the rent for quite a while. Sorry to be the buzzkill, but it pisses me off to read this idiotic discussions. Happy flying!

ummmmm, what? Compared to Boston, I mean. Welcome to the toughest, most competitive market in the U.S.

I don't know Rory, I'm sure he's a fantastic guy. So nothing personal. But there's some helpful tips in there depending how one looks at it. I agree though, whoever made that video has a cruel sense of humor.