Tim Fabrizio

Hey Matteo, How is the back? I bet after those long-ass takes it was pretty tight and sore. I did a similar job like that, my camera was Camera 5 aka "5" in the headset. Shot a live to tape circus act. They loved the mobility of the steadicam and stayed on me for 20-30 minutes stretches, and if they cut away it was for a less than a minute. Always..."READY 5?...take 5. Staying on you,5. Nice work 5. ...20 minutes later...after hearing the director/TD and producer laughing at the clowns....ok ready 2 take 2....ready 5? take 5." And on and on it went. Its just how it goes sometimes. We all have storied like it. Good luck and hapy flyin'.

Get a good utility and be nice to him! Its all about the cable wrangling. Make sure the cable coming off the camera is not in your way. I usually get about a 2ft+ of slack of the camera(for panning,tilting, booming up and down, Don Juan, etc) and then secure it to the vest by your shoulder and let the rest dangle behind you. This is where your utility comes in. Make sure that he keeps that cable off the floor but gives you enough slack to move around. Its a dance and an art. Practice, practice, practice. As far as your back is concerned. Stretch before and after. When you stretch before make sure your back is warm. Stretching cold muscles is counterproductive. Good luck.

I am believer in the mantra of Jerry Holloway...proper operating and setup actually strengthens the back. Steadicam and HH are very grueling on the back and shoulders, so proper operating and postitioning is SO important. As one DP told me about good HH operating, "Tuck, Flex and Clench." Tuck the elbows, flex the abs and clench the butt cheeks. Good stretching RIGHT after your day is over is so key. Its is so easy to go home and crash after wrap, but a good long stretch while the muscles are warm will aid in a speedy and proper recovery. Chiropractice=Quackopractice Be well.