Mike Braaten

Whole system is SOLD. Thank you for your interest!

PICS: http://picasaweb.google.com/117664534958373857907/SteadicamArcher?feat=directlink# I bought this rig and the accessories *NEW* in September 2008. This rig has served me well and earned back what I paid for it. I am moving into DP work on reality shows so I need a versatile light kit more than Steadicam for the time being. This rig is well-maintained: only flown by me occasionally and never hired out. It's in perfect working condition and near-perfect cosmetic condition (but you can feel free to score it up and give it that well-traveled look producers love). I've flown all manner of ENG/EFP broadcast cameras, SR2, SR3, Panavision Elaine, REDONE and prosumer cameras with my 'custom' weight plate. Perfect for a first time buyer looking for something beefier than a Flyer or an established operator looking for a lightweight/emergency backup rig. 1 Tiffen Steadicam Archer 12v Sled with TFT 700 nit LCD monitor w/ framelines (standard def, 16x9, daylight viewable) 1 Tiffen G-50 Iso-elastic arm 1 Tiffen Ultra Vest 1 Tiffen Low mode bracket 1 Stanton focus servo and electronic zoom control for Fujinon/Canon video lenses 1 AJA HD10MD3 Miniture Digital Downconverter with D-tap power cable 1 12v video camera power cable (3-pin lemo to 4-pin xlr) 1 Misc 12v power cable (4-pin Hirose to multi Anton Bauer D-Tap) 1 RED ONE Power cable (4-pin XLR to 10-pin lemo) 1 3-pin lemo (male) to 2-pin lemo (female) cable 4 Video cables various lengths (BNC to BNC) 2 Anton Bauer Hytron 140 batteries 1 Anton Bauer D-2722 Dual Powercharger w/ DDM module 1 Steadicam Archer Thermodyne Hard Flight Case 1 Pelican 1560 case for vest and arm 1 20" C-Stand w/ removable base and 12" riser (fits inside Pelican case) 1 Steadicam EFP Training video Rig is located at my apartment in the beautiful San Fernando Valley. Come by and take it for a test flight. Asking 20000 USD for this turnkey Steadicam system. I paid almost $35000 (my life savings at the time) when I bought it two years ago. +1.323.350.0478

PICS: http://picasaweb.google.com/117664534958373857907/SteadicamArcher?feat=directlink I bought this rig and the accessories *NEW* in September 2008. This rig has served me well and earned back what I paid for it. I am upgrading to an Ultra 2 rig, but I need a little extra to make the payment. This rig is well-maintained; only flown by me over its short life. A few scratches in key places, but for the most part cosmetically perfect and in perfect working condition. I've flown all manner of ENG/EFP broadcast cameras, SR2, SR3, Panavision Elaine, REDONE and prosumer cameras with my 'custom' weight plate. Perfect for a first time buyer looking for something beefier than a Flyer or an established operator looking for a lightweight/emergency backup rig. Many, many good years left in this fine rig. 1 Tiffen Steadicam Archer 12v Sled with TFT 700 nit LCD monitor w/ framelines (standard def, 16x9, daylight viewable) 1 Tiffen G-50 Iso-elastic arm 1 Tiffen Ultra Vest 1 Tiffen Low mode bracket 1 Stanton focus servo and electronic zoom control for Fujinon/Canon video lenses 1 AJA HD10MD3 Miniture Digital Downconverter with D-tap power cable 1 12v video camera power cable (3-pin lemo to 4-pin xlr) 1 Misc 12v power cable (4-pin Hirose to multi Anton Bauer D-Tap) 1 RED ONE Power cable (4-pin XLR to 10-pin lemo) 1 3-pin lemo (male) to 2-pin lemo (female) cable 4 Video cables various lengths (BNC to BNC) 4 Anton Bauer Hytron 140 batteries 1 Anton Bauer Dionic 90 battery 1 Anton Bauer D-2722 Dual Powercharger w/ DDM module 1 Steadicam Archer Thermodyne Hard Flight Case 1 Pelican 1560 case for vest and arm 1 20" C-Stand w/ removable base and 12" riser (fits inside Pelican case) 1 Steadicam EFP Training video Rig is located at my apartment in the beautiful San Fernando Valley. Come by and take it for a test flight. Asking 27000 USD for this turnkey Steadicam system. Buy it and fly it. +1.323.350.0478

That said, thank you all for the warnings. I am seeking out every opportunity I can think of to improve my camera operating skills. Are there any specific suggestions in this regard? Keep assisting. You'll meet people and learn things and make money. You'll collect odds and ends like BNC barrels and tape and lens cleaner. You'll get in with some guys who use you and never want to see you move up, but one or two people you encounter will want you to succeed and, in time, they'll find the right job for you to operate on. In the meantime while you're waiting for that break, volunteer at public access stations, shoot weddings, shoot high school football, shoot your buddies' bands in concert.

Mike: I'll go to Matthews and buy a rolling stand today. I'm a total weight weenie: I have a cable to power RED off the sled. Best $300 I ever spent! I tried designing my own mounting system out of 1/4" screws and washers so I could ditch the dovetail plate as well (I know I'm a pussy, thanks). It's a little more difficult to convince DPs to shoot to the CF cards. I usually try to sell them by saying that the DIT on "District 9" used CF cards exclusively because they're virtually free from dropouts, etc, but it's tough to convince these guys when they're used to just shooting off the drive all day. That and we didn't have a second who could manage the data, at least on this shoot.

Thanks Mark. I've heard stories about ACs and DPs who are able to pull on the fly and light with a meter or by eye... I thought they were just the stuff of legend! I've definitely worked for people who were much more cognizant of the physical demands of Steadicam than the group I was with this weekend. I'll check out the Handbook for advice on protecting my health. Ron: I definitely understand working for peanuts lowers rates and quality of life for everybody. I'm pretty lucky to be in the pipeline for a couple reality shows a year that pay me more for my shoulder work than I've made (so far) with Steadicam. I can afford to be more choosy in which jobs I take and after this latest reaming I'm going to dig in again and say no to any cut-rate jobs. It just isn't worth it.

Thanks, Eric. I was just joking at least for now. I may sell at the end of this year if things don't turn around. It's frustrating, ya know... All I get offered are these low-rate bullshit jobs and I keep reading all the posts on this site on how I'm ruining the craft of Steadicam by taking them. I believe it, too... I tried for a while to man up and turn down anything less than a modest quote of $1000/12 for me and the gear and I didn't work for six months... what do you think that means? This business is fucked up.

Suck it up Buttercup. It's part of the job Thanks Eric. Hey does anyone know how to sell gear on this webzone? I have a rig for sale!

I just got off a shoot with RED camera for very little pay. Suffice it to say, the only thing I learned is that I won't take anything below a certain rate anymore. My question is: What's the usual workflow for focus/exposure checks on music videos, commercials and features? On this shoot I was asked by the AC to constantly frame up and do multiple run-throughs to check focus (using the RED focus button) and by the DP to check lighting (using the RED exposure button).. I ended up in the rig most of the day aiming the camera. Is this standard practice? Mostly I shoot reality TV and there are multiple cameras to check lighting and focus is irrelevant because its 'covered in interview.' Do I need some of that industrial-grade gimbal lube you guys are always referencing? Thanks as always!

Sooo.... at the risk of jinxing the gig, there is a possibility I will have a shooting/steadi op gig on a basic cable TV show coming up. It's a reality/competition show for VH1, probably shooting on SDX900, but possibly on prosumer cameras. What should I ask for rental of my Archer and my Stanton Z/F unit? Daily? Weekly? My handheld shooting rate will be in the neighborhood of IATSE 'reality' scale, although it is a non-union show. I'm unlikely to receive a bump in salary for my 'skills' as a steadi op, so how should I factor that into my bid along with equipment? I appreciate any input and advice, thank you all!

Hi Mr. Moore~ I admire your patience and I must admit you're good at restraining yourself. I don't know if I would have punched him in the face or not, but I've definitely made it clear to anyone who has made a grab (including directors, DPs and producers) that the post shouldn't be touched until I say so. I mean, you wouldn't grab any part of someone's anatomy without asking first, right? It's just not considerate...

Sorry if this is covered elsewhere, but I've searched the archives and I've found plenty of articles on crane step-on/step-off, but nothing covering this. The shoot I was on today the producer wanted me to do a 360 around an actor, then sit in the back of his Nissan Pathfinder and hold a shot of the actor as the vehicle drove away down the street. So, remembering Mr. Churchill's tutelage in the EFP video, I configured the vest so that it wouldn't benumb my legs after sitting down and had the DP (a 6'5" 275lb behemoth) put a death grip on me the instant I popped my happy ass on the tailgate. We were pressed for time and I only got two takes. Both had one part that was totally usable: the 360 around the actor. Looked totally dope in my humble opinion! I couldn't nail the landing in the Pathfinder. Either the sled clonked against the bumper or the DP pulled me so hard that the sled went haywire... Is this shot even possible or it just my combined inexperience and wuss factor? I ended up suggesting that I do the whole shot on foot while the actor was standing as still as possible and they ramp the footage. I think that'll do the trick, but I'd like to know if it's possible to smoothly go from your feet to a seated position moving vehicle shot. Anyone ever try this? Thanks as always!

Thanks to everyone who responded! I definitely like the idea of strapping the director in for a spell... I've already strapped in a DP who uses me from time to time. He had enough after about 90 seconds and my rig is pretty light, all things considered... I'll try to be a good ambassador to the craft and keep the smart remarks to a minimum. Sorta goes against all my natural instincts, but I'll try to keep in mind the fact that I'm representing a fraternity of elite cameramen. I reserve the right to use the rig to impress chicks, however (thank you for that Mr. McGowan). It sure gets a lot more attention than a bundle of cable in my hands! Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Everyone~ This week I had my first paying gig with my new Archer... I don't know whether to frame the C-note I earned or spend it on booze, but at least it won't affect my unemployment checks! I've done a few gigs now on vanity projects and I've noticed that the rig tends to attract a crowd of slack-jawed people when I'm starting to line up shots. A couple of my favorite questions are: "Is that thing heavy?" "How much did you pay for that?" "Why's it so wobbly with the 85 on there?" I try not to be a total dick when people ask questions since I'm a curious person as well, but I have a feeling I'll be getting a lot more questions like those and more. Could some of you more seasoned operators could throw a couple pithy comebacks my way for these questions and others I'll be hearing over the course of my career? Thanks again to the forum for all the war stories. Lots of good stuff in the archives...

Hello Everyone~ I've been lurking for a couple months; thought I'd introduce myself. Three weeks ago I dropped the bulk of my savings built over five years as a camera utility/gaffer on reality shows into a brand-new Steadicam Archer. It's a great rig. It's been slow going from simply conditioning myself to the weight of the rig, finding the best vest configuration and learning dynamic balance. That last one was a big stumbling block and I'm so grateful to the experienced ops on here for their guidance, to which I turned time and again in my quest for a usable pan! I just shot my first student short as DP/Steadi Op and I'm pleased with the results. Still a ways to go before I'm making the big shows (not to mention making back the money I dropped on the rig!), but as long as I know where to find the answers to my problems I feel confident in my future as a steadi guy! Thank you all! ~m