Douglas John Kropla

Thank you so much for that Kristy. A great interview. Too bad he didn't get his scotch and water.

This being early days in Steadicam, what gear was Garrett using in regards to remote follow focus and wireless video system? Also, for the running shots did he actually run with Dustin Hoffman? I just watched it again last night and was curious. Thanks.

Hey Blair, glad the rig is working out for you. I'll throw out some advice, for what it's worth. Looks to me like the right hand needs be a little firmer in keeping the rig at a desired level, also make sure the arm is dialed in as far as tension goes. The forearm section should ride about 5 degrees above the horizontal, and the upper arm should follow it smoothly. Also your steps, rolling from the heel to the ball of the foot. Something else I can tell you is maybe think about some ballroom dance classes. I use to teach years ago and now all those years of dancing with large Ukranian women in Winnipeg is paying off:) There it is for what it's worth from one newish guy to another.

I apologize to anyone who I may have insulted or offended with my statement.

I saw this laundry list of items coming. Who starts a career with absolutely everything under the sun associated with that career? Who here started their career with everything and I mean everything you have now? Granted a few essential pieces but come on, the rest of it you buy when you can afford it. I have only been a member here for a short time and I understand that this is the "PRO" forum, hell their are people here whose worked I have admired for decades and now I can ask them directly how did you do that. But a lot of times I feel the tone here is one of, Jeez another guy who wants to be an op, jeez gotta cut the pie even smaller now. And then he gets the well you're gonna need to spend a gajillion dollars to be an op. If the pro' here want this to be a pro' only forum why make it available to anyone and everyone? Just make it a closed set, invite only. Just my two cents.

I won't be attending as I took the whole day flyer workshop at Sammy's Camera :D All joking aside, will there be any workshops coming to Montreal? And will they be just for the smaller rigs? Are there ever workshops here in Canada that involve the big rigs? Thanks a bunch. Don't really want to go to Sammy's Camera, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do... Hey, where is Sammy's Camera? :D

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: OK the last one about the lighting guy in Montreal had me peeing myself also.

I never get tired of watching this. Wait, that's not me is it....? Oh hang on, I got my Wonkatech POS from China:) even CHEAPER!!! No shit!

Wow, how about that. I guess at the time there were not many operators. I would have thought Mr Scott would have used it if it was available. Thank you Michael for the response.

I was just wondering if there was? I can think of a few shots that might be, but just wanted to know for sure. Thanks.

Hey Blair, how is my old rig these days? I think the amount of time is directly related to what goes on. Like Eric said all he puts on is a cinetape, quick. If you are putting on everything including the kitchen sink weeellll, could take awhile. It gets quicker with time. Bottom line be ready when they call for you, whatever it takes, sacrifice the 3rd ac to the gods if necessary!!! No just kidding, or am I??? Really Eric, that is all you put on a Cinetape? Your kit is that ready out of the box? Wow, you're my hero.

Not sure if any one would be interested but I have just finished a custom rig. To start; 2 power lines, both 12 volt but one is 18 awg for accessories and the other is 14 awg for those power hungry pigs. There are 2 batt inputs from 2 plates that can be switched. So I can mount a batt underneath the post and one on the back or just have one run from the back of the sled. With this method I can run a RED brick under the post, plug it into the dedicated camera power line and use a smaller V lock on the back for balance and run the accessories. I am using V lock E series batts. I went this way as that is what the RED uses. I kinda built this thing to deal with that camera hence the 14 AWG line up the pipe. Each line has a 10 amp push to reset breaker. Overkill? My thought is that if I need 24 volts I can run a split. Thoughts, opinions? The post is 1.5 carbonfibre, so if in the future I need to or want to I can upgrade the top stage, gimbal whatever. For now it is SD video but HD/SDI is someting I will be adding. I went with 4 pin XLR instead of LEMO as I was in a bit of a rush to get this thing done as I had some shoots coming up and have since started that required STEADICAM.The arm and gimble are custom and work quite well. I am comparing them to my FLYER LE. And the feel is comparable. This rig will fly more weight and has more power and video options. All in all it does the job. Another tool in the tool box. Here is a pic I took with my phone on the set of an independent feature I started on August 28th. Yes that is the ubiquitous Canon 5D MKII on top. Hence the weight plate. Well there it is.

Hey Eugene, you could go the Flyer route, get some gigs under you belt and then maybe go on to a bigger rig. Or you could check the for sale section and get a good deal on an older but still very serviceable larger rig, my two cents. And what Louis said about the extras is also true, but you don't need all that stuff right away, a few choice bits to start and you are good to go. I don't think anyone ever starts off with everything under the sun in their kit, unless you are the son of Bill Gates?

Well I'd say that you bought some odds and ends. The 3A gimbal was originally rated at 65lbs total weight Thanks Eric. It is a work in progress:) I'll post some pics when it's fully baked. How does the saying go... 3% inspiration 97% perspiration;)

I took the plunge and I am upgrading from my Flyer LE. I found a 3A setup, post, gimbal, dovetail plates and other odds and ends. My question is are their any peculiarities associated with this setup? Also, what weight is that gimbal rated for? Any responses would be truly appreciated. Here is the ebay item I just bought, to give you a better idea when I say odds and ends. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130410964854

My heartfelt sentiments go out to the operators at the world cup, the horns must be deafening!

Wait a minute, I remember now, THAT"S ME!!! I was part of a witness relocation program back in the 80's and..... whoooops!! It just occurred to me that if I put a comma after U2 in the title of this post, well, it would be a totally different topic wouldn't it?

Good one Ron:)

Ok so, nothing definitive BUT, in my STEADICAM Handbook I have a pic of Larry M from sometime ago and if I put the dark glasses and a darker stach, it looks pretty close. Is Larry a member here? I hope people don't take this thread the wrong way. I don't want to offend especially since I'm new here. Whoever it was, it must've been a fun shoot. On another note, when did the credit roll at the end of films start to include STEADICAM operators with their appropriate title?

Larry McConkey did their Rattle-N-Hum film around the same time, maybe it is him. Maybe that pic is keeping the op from coming forward. It is kind of a 70's/80's pornstar look:) But hey those were the golden days of operating were they not. Nobody knew what that thing was, the mystery, the je ne sais quoi of the whole STEADICAM thing was a chick magnet, oh man the chicks must've really dug that long lean operator look.:) They were the rockstars of the industry, day players, coming in with all that exotic gear, doing their bit and then on to the next gig. Jetting of to Morocco, France, Spain... Winnipeg? Yeah Baby!!! Does this thing make you horny?

Is that Larry M or maybe Jerry H in disguise? The mystery continues...

Hey Charles, who was the director on that shoot? Yeah, that video is on my facebook page and is still one of my favorites.

I got a question for some of the old timers here and I hope that word does not offend but this video was shot way back in 87, I think not sure. The video is the U2 "Where the Streets have no name" Shot in LA on a roof top at the corner of 7th and Main St. Every so often you see the op but not for long and I was just wondering who that was or is and are they still working? Anyone anyone?