Jake Bulgarino

Hello All, I am a new owner of a Steadicam Pilot. I have been trying to get dynamic balance with my canon 7D and I get close but still can't nail it. Static Balance is super easy but dynamic is another story. Does anyone have any quick tips for achieving dynamic balance? Should I spend more time on trying to achieve dynamic balance instead of flying the rig? Any seasoned steadicam ops have experience Flying DSLR's? Thanks for all your input! Jake

Hello everyone, I am somewhat new to the Steadicam world, I recently purchased an arm and vest, and a steadicam stand with the docking brakcet for the merlin. I have owned the merlin for about 9 months already . After waiting a month to get all that stuff in (which was way to long to wait) I set up my stand balanced my merlin with my cannon 7D with a 11-16mm 2.8 lens I put it on the docking bracket turned my back and the bracket broke and everything came tumbling to the grown from 5 feet in the air. HORRIBLE!!!!!! Has anyone ever heard of problems with the docking bracket? Tiffen will be hearing from me tomorrow. Also there was no real instructions with the arm and vest which really sucks when it is all foreign to me. Anybody know of some good links for putting on the vest and arm and getting it to act properly? Thanks for letting me rant. Jake

Hey Mike, Thanks for the response. Well Fortunately I have the gym thing down I stay pretty active. Thanks for your advice it is very much appreciated. If you had to ballpark how much do I need to put away for accessories. Yea I dont think I am going to buy until I can get a class under my belt so until one opens up I will be waiting.(Gives me some extra time to save) Yea I own a panasonic HVX200 not but have the feeling I will be upgrading in the next 2 years. Thanks again! Jake

Where can i get his email? Thanks!

do you have a link so I can check it out?? Thanks for your response.

I would do that but the Problem is the next one is in may and is sold out and they don't list another one. I would prefer to do a training session sooner than later. Thanks for your response.

I was wondering if anyone knew any schools or programs that had steadicam training other than tiffen. I have only heard great things about Tiffens training programs but I am trying to see if I have any other options. The only available class Tiffen has right now is a 5 day class and I am looking for something along a 2 or 3 day class. I am located in Washington DC area. Thanks! Jake

Thanks for your help.

As Much as we can brilliant!

Hello Everyone, I have been thinking long and hard and have decided I want to become a Steadicam operator. Currently I own a Panasonic HVX200 with a Lettus lens kit am trying to figure out which steadicam I should invest in. Will the Pilot not be able to handle that weight? Do any of you use similar rigs (lens adapters)? Right now I am up in the air between the Pilot and the Flyer and am trying to figure out which is more suitable. Other than weight capabilities is there any advantages of getting the Flyer instead of the Pilot. There is quite a price difference between the two. Also there is a 5 day course coming up soon and was wondering if you all think this will help excel the learning curve with a steadicam and if it is worth the money. Also what kind of rates do you guys charge? Any other tips you guys have for me getting up to speed would be appreciated. Thanks for your time! Jake