James Puli

I have Anton Bauer battery mounts on my sleds, and own a pile of AB / GlobalMediaPro AB mount batteries. Never had a single issue. The only catch with that is ... nearly all rental houses here in Australia are running only Vlock batts on their cameras (all but 2-3 i can think of). So we also have adapters, which work great for the most part and are my get out of jail free card. When I upgraded my sled with the Pro gen3 battery rack, I got both AB and Vlock mounting plates for the base and the fact I can change them in seconds is one of the things I love most about that base. The adapters are ok, but can still give more vibrations etc especially after a bit of use over the years. If I want to run productions batteries and not my own, in a pinch I can no matter what mount it is.

ha you know me Ozzie ... think I paid like $50 for it!

I use the backpack that comes with a Steadicam Pilot. It carries my vest and arm for short trips around town! Picked it up last time I was at the Steadicam factories garage sale. Also carry a big flight case that fits the whole backpack with vest and arm in it for air travel! http://www.tiffen.com/displayproduct.html?tablename=steadicam&itemnum=078-5238-01 JP

Theres a few more guys here in Australia that own them ... not just Brownie! One grip I know used to refer to his Chapman Hybrid as his Porsche as it cost more then a Porsche! Plus im assuming track, wedges, risers, carts etc is in addition to that $200k. From memory the normal rate for a dolly per day is around the $500 mark. And the lease rate for a Fisher was around $500 per week last time i discussed this with a grip. Feel free to correct me if anyone out there knows more accurate figures!

I use batteries from globalmediapro.com and they're great .... and cheap! Cant recommend them highly enough! Yep, people refer to Anton Bauer mounts or Gold mounts ... same thing! No need to spend more on batteries then on your whole rig!

I just updated the "Interests" column on my profile page to show the gear I fly! No extra coding needed!

Tell them to call Brad Grimmett to do the movi shot! (for those who were'nt there ...he broke it after about 30 seconds of use at Cinegear and it took their techs over 20 mins to fix it!) In the down time they'll pull the steadicam out and get the shot done!

GoPro is so popular in Australia that our version of 60 Minutes did a report on it! Interesting stuff! I personally have had a bunch over the years .... 6 x GoPro 1's, 3 x GoPro2's and now im onto GoPro3's! Shot 2d, 3d, action, sports, drama, music clips everything! Had a couple of slight little issues over the years but nothing too much go wrong with them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi-ajC6GbfI

It should be us as a community thanking you guys! But no words can describe our thanks enough! You produce some of the best equipment in the world, stand by it and stand by us... and now the animal shelter as well! Better people, and a better company don't exist anywhere in the world! Thats why I amongst others do business with you guys, even though Im based on the other side of the planet. Im prouder then ever to fly equipment from GPI Pro Systems! So many thanks again Jack, Michelle, Chad, Tommy and Chris!

Look at Filmtools.com theres a Sachtler option for under $600! Or the next level up is under $900 http://www.filmtools.com/sachtler-ace-tripod-system-1001.html http://www.filmtools.com/sachtler-system-fsb-4-md-0372.html

I've got one! Email me! jamespuli@live.com.au

Hi Janice! Was going to reply the other week, but luckily I've been flat out working! Yep Im a 2nd generation Camera / Steadicam Operator and I love it! Started flying around my dads Steadicam Jr (that Garrett gave him) when I was like 15, and haven't stopped since! One of my favourite photos that I have is with my dad and Garrett taken at a workshop I was helping out at a few years ago - my 2 biggest idols!! Its been a good thing but also a little bit bad. The hardest part has been finding my own niche and not just being Louis' son! Luckily for me its been going really well recently, but like everyone says its all about being a good Camera Operator first and foremost! One way I've done this is that I work alot as a Live TV camera operator which is something my dad hasn't done alot of over the years. I've essentially grown up with digital technology, BUT got to spend alot of time loading and pulling focus for film as well! And I totally miss it! I got my start as a Camera Assistant (which i still do for a few DP's when Im not shooting) in about 2002, when HD was just starting out, and to see it come as far as it has and the transition from film, has been really interesting. Though Im still very thankful that I've seen the change and grown with it! It still shocks me (and makes me sad) that the next generation of Camera Assistants (and Operators) potentially will have never worked with film! But the most important thing that I have inherited is the extra decades of experience, having grown up with all the old school issues that we had with CP and the older rigs. Its given me a great perspective, as well as taught me the history in more details then new operators ever get .... ALL while still being in my 20's (just!). I've also been filling in for my dad recently doing basic lectures at a few film schools talking about Steadicam and its given the students a different angle on things as Im alot younger then most of the guys around (with similar experience), and give a younger persons perspective on the industry and issues we have these days! I absolutely love my job and just about every job I do, reminds me of this! Hope to see you all at Cinegear! JP James Puli http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1911510

Terry West in LA is Hugo's guy in LA! I'd be bringin your rig out to Cinegear with you and get Terry to give it a once over! That's totally strange man.... Never had that one! Except on a different rig where one of the 12v power lines was touching the HD video line in the lower junction box! Didn't see sparks, but the monitor blew up and made that nice burning electronics smell! JP

Is there the operators Swap Meet area again David? If so, ill bring along some BFD focus rings again!

I second the Silver Spring arm. My first arm was Silver Spring and I loved it, until I could afford to upgrade. The technology behind the Silver Spring and Luna arms (Steadicam 3a arms essentially) has been around for 25-30 years, and very rarely these days does anyone ever have a problem with either arm. Both safe options, I'd try them both and see which one you like!

If you want to do it properly, Id take the sled to Terry West and get him to wire it up properly. So that it will not damage the rig or any camera you put on it! From those pics I cant even see any video cables down the centre post as well so you want to fix that as well as putting some decent power cables in there The only catch with this, is that it may well cost you more money to wire it up then the whole rig cost you initially! But if your serious about it, its the smartest decision you'll make! JP

Globalmediapro are fantastic! I've been running their gold (AB) mount batteries on my rig for about 5 years, and have purchased lots of gear from them over the years! They have actually just released some new HC batteries for digital cameras! That's next on my shopping list! I can't recomend them highly enough!!

You say you didn't overload the arm... All everyone out there thinks of in regards to weights on the arm is springs ... Not all the the other components! .... Many of which are alot weaker then the springs! For starters I would have ripped off the red monitor and battery... I would have powered the camera from the sled! 6 + hours of probably too much weight = busted pin! Oh well live and learn! Not to mention the combined wear and tear and stress on these parts if this wasn't your first time pushing the limits of your rig. JP

@jpowyeah

I coach and referee kids basketball! Plus teach kids the rules and how to referee! Absolutely love it, and have been doing it for 15 years now!

Afton used to make iPhone to d-tap! Not sure if he does them any more or not! Been meaning to get one for ages!

Thanks for posting Chris! You beat me to it! Phil is one hell of a guy, and next to my dad is one of my mentors! I saw him in hospital just after it happened, and really have to get back to Sydney and see him again! JP

Justin, I have pretty much the exact Pro sled your interested in. More then welcome to have a play when ever you like. I've used it on about everything and love it to bits! Having seen pics of the new Pro HD-TV sled which I'm told is coming out in May / June, I can say it will be perfect for that sort of work as well (tally built in etc). If you were looking at the Tiffen Option... The Shadow V (formerly Phantom V) is probably their best option to suit! If you want a play or a chat, give me a call! JP

Email sent!

Alec / Jendra..... I know Steve as well and he knows his stuff that's for sure! When he's not doing steadicam he's shooting ENG / doco type stuff so may fit your bill really well! Good luck! JP