James Puli

Hey I must say that the first time I saw and used the XDCam with the Pro 35 addapter, Scanner Crane and the Glidecam Gold (all on seporate occasions) I was extremly impressed with each of them and the ease with which they all operate. The XDcam has the potential to revolutionize ENG all over the world, with it moving to a more IT server based environment and the simplisity of the transfer between the disc's and the computer as well as the quality of images. I recently used the XDCam and the Pro 35 addapter on low budget feature film here in Australia and everyone loved the pictures (in IMX mode, which is roughly Digi Beta quality). The Glidecam Gold is really operator friendly and I must say is one of the best light weight rigs I have flown. There is only one in Australia and we had it at a workshop in Melbourne in 2004 and everyone who saw and flew it absolutley loved it. And of course the Scanner Crane. I think it must the one of the simplest and easiest cranes around to set up and control. We had one on a TV drama last year also and the ease of it allowed us setups which we would never have been able to do simply on a time (and cost of course) basis. JP Melbourne Australia

Hi Alec Just wondering what lens system the DVX100 you had was using? I noticed a couple of motors and your BFD's (?) on your sled. I cant remember wether or not that camera has a standard lens that you can use follow focus on. Or were they just there for some extra weight? JP

Hi Sander and everybody I am a Specialist Steadicam Assistant as well as being a 1st and 2nd AC based in Melbourne Australia. Alot of being a Steadicam Assistant is simply knowing the gear. Your assistant must know your system and cases really well and know where you keep all the little things that you might need when working. (if the operator asks for his angled d bracket for example you dont want to be asking where is that again?) Generally I let the Steadicam Operator I am working with build and balance the system (at least on the first day of the shoot) mainly because every one likes their rig set up differently (drop times, monitor placement, etc). If I havent worked with the operator before I will always arrange a time to check out all their cases and formiliarise myself with their gear, just so theres no suprises. Generally on set I end up pulling focus for the Steadicam anyway, but other Steadicam Assistants can end up not doing too much work during the day. Once the rig is set up and the operator has his/her on set bag or case under their stand with extra batts, drink bottle, plus all the usual bits and pieces its pretty smooth sailing. Like a clapper loader, a Steadicam assistant is very much a luxary for operators here in Australia, plus most of the focus pullers know their way around the system these days any way. Would love to hear how this differs to what goes on in the US. James Puli