Sanjay Sami

If you are local in Atlanta, why is production paying travel and accommodation ? I would charge them full on my rate for all days, and maybe cut them a deal on kit rental for the non shoot days.

I have this slider and it came with a box when I bought it. Considering what sliders cost, I would suggest a hard case to protect it. http://www.chapman-leonard.com/SLIDERS/Slider%20User%20Rev%202%20WEB.pdf

Ok ...

Nothing is Idiot Proof, and operator error can hardly be blamed on a manufacturer. If you buy a piece of gear that clearly states what it is intended for, and you knowingly abuse it, be ready for the consequences. I have done it a number of times with various kinds of gear. Climbing gear, harnesses, cranes, dollies, fan descenders, industrial cranes, capstan winches etc. Sometimes they have failed. Sometimes with near lethal consequences. But I abused these pieces of equipment knowing that I may pay a price . If that does happen to you (installing a safety pin upside down ... or something like that) dont go complaining on a public forum. Call the manufacturer ... tell them you made a mistake, and their product is not Idiot Proof. Ask them how best they can help you out. Tell them that you will read the manual the next time round. This may result in a better response than if you try and blame them for something that very obviously had nothing to do with them or the quality of their product.

Scott, This is a terrible idea for more reasons than can be easily explained on the internet. I am guessing, if you are planning a crane dismount, that you have a very good Grip as part of your team. I would suggest that you get him / her involved in this discussion. You can get pretty compact ride on cranes, that should be able to do the job. Can you describe the shot and location in greater detail ? if its such a tight location, perhaps you do not need a crane ? Maybe a ramp, or a Hybrid with steadicam platform will do the job ? Or maybe, as Ron suggested, just the Techno could do the job. If you do a step off, or even pull a suspended sled off a Technocrane, please spend a lot of money on a good Grip.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !! Man, that lubricant looks great ! After that much lubricant, I bet you were spinning more than your sled :blink:

That is a very sobering story. Thank you for sharing it with this community and bringing forward the reality of how vulnerable you can really be on a film set. And how quickly and unexpectedly things can go wrong. I wish you the very best, and I hope your recovery is swift and complete. Take care and stay strong. Best wishes Sanjay

True true. I think combining that technology with something we don't have to hold makes a lot of sense. Hydrascope with G3 ...

Why not use this ? http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/03/28/mophie-juice-pack-air-for-iphone-5-review/

Hi Jendra, If you are open to getting a Turkish operator, I can highly recommend Ercan Yilmaz. He is not on this forum, but is a very accomplished and experienced operator. Regards Sanjay Sami

I know Steadi is often used instead of a dolly for the sake of time on set. That's a separate discussion. Often times with roundy rounds, however, we don't start or end exactly in the circle. We either move into it, or move out of it somehow. Something a dolly can't do. Dance floor :-)

I think Robin is a good guy to talk to. Why rigs cost as much as they do is a good question to ask the manufacturers. A lot of equipment in film is expensive because of being small volume and high precision. A replacement crank wheel on an ARRIHEAD MK 2 will make your eyes water, and all it is is a hunk of machined metal. Some of it is just expensive because it can be. A seat offset on a Hybrid dolly will set you back approx 800$ . It's just a bar of steel with a hole in one end and a spigot on the other.

In another incident, I refused to do a shot off the front of a quad, racing down a very steep cobbled stone path in Balat, Istanbul. I offered to rig the Libra 3, but the Director insisted on steadicam. So they hired a Turkish steadicam operator to do it. The operator agreed to do the shot, and after the fist take at half speed, on the first day at full speed, his arm snapped when the quad came off the slope onto flat ground. The arm shot off in one direction like a bullet, his batteries flew in another direction as the bottom of the sled crashed against the quad, but the operator, with superhuman strength, held onto the sled with his operating hand, and saved his sled and the Millenium XL. His hand was severely pinched and bleeding from getting pinched in the yoke, but was otherwise unhurt. I then rigged the Libra 3, and we got the shot without much drama.

A few years ago, I had to do a scene where 2 guys with assault rifles shoot several rounds inside a closed room, killing security guards (appropriately squibbed) I had lexan sheets between me and the guns, but got rained on with hot shell casings that were bouncing off the ceiling, and more than a few, found their way down my collar. I had blisters then, and scars now. I was better prepared for take 2.

Glad you made it ! They would have slapped a door mount on in 2 minutes while the paramedics were loading you into the ambulance. You should've asked the DP to hand hold it :-)

Eric wins ... hands down !

Maybe a little bit off topic, but I think Janice Arthur, Laurie Hayball, Jessica Lopez and several others may not agree with you here Mattei

Amen ... Merry Christmas

The KS-8 is a pretty heavy gyro. I would mount it at the bottom, to avoid the rig getting very top heavy.

I'm sorry but my post never got posted.... I am going to be in Berlin on the 22nd of Nov to the 25 and wanted to know if any operators in Berlin would like to meet for a coffee / beer ?

I'm sorry but my post never got posted.... I am going to be in Berlin on the 22nd of Nov to the 25 and wanted to know if any operators in Berlin would like to meet for a coffee / beer ?

I'm sorry but my post never got posted.... I am going to be in Berlin on the 22nd of Nov to the 25 and wanted to know if any operators in Berlin would like to meet for a coffee / beer ?

Hi Dave, Thats a great rule of thumb ... and I really enjoyed reading the interview. Hope you are well.

Thomas, The counterweight is important. You can use less weight by offsetting it further . I would go hard mount. Get the Grips to rig a speed rail grid for you and go off it. Quads flip over in the sand. It happens, and I've seen it happen. Better not have the rig on you if that happens. As Louis says - get a guy you trust to drive the quad. If it starts getting hairy, point the camera at the sky.

I think operators would be more than happy to have manufacturers involved on the board.