director's monitor and on-board recorder in LA

[brooksrobinson]

The feature I’m starting late next week has a test/rehearsal day on Monday. I just found out that despite having # 1 and # 2 on the call sheet there to rehearse, production is “saving money” by not having our VTR person there.

 

This brings up two sticky points for me: I don’t have an onboard recorder for my XCS, and I don’t have a director’s monitor. I will be bringing a diversity receiver, shark-fins, and an 8” monitor, but since this shot involves moving through three very narrow train cars (they aren’t moving), I’m sure the director and DP will want to be on board.

 

Is there anything I can pick up locally in Los Angeles over the weekend that might fit the bill for either (hopefully both) a directors monitor with receiver, or an on-board recorder? Hopefully this won’t need too much modification to work with my XCS. I realize this is a last minute request, and to make it even harder to fill, it would be great if either or both of these items didn’t break the bank, as I can’t imagine using them on this show (when the video assist guy is there) or on future projects (haven’t needed them in my previous 17 years of doing this).

 

Worst case scenario, production did pick up some sort of unknown/unseen recording device that I could tether to for recording the shot, but it would be great not to resort to that. It would also be good for the DP to be able to see the shot in progress via his own monitor.

 

Thanks for any and all suggestions. Have a great weekend.

 

Brooks Robinson

brooksontheroad@pacbell.net

[Robert Starling SOC]

Hey Brooks,

 

I have two small casio handhelds and a customized Camos with handles I can loan you for Monday but I think the challenge would be getting them to you from Vegas then back to me on Tuesday for my Weds shoot.

 

I don't know if they have them anymore but the Curtis and Insignia portable TVs from Best Buy are about $75. In fact, the Insignia has almost as good of a image as one of the new-comer $3500 so called daylight viewable 7" monitors.

 

Let me know how I can help you!

 

Robert

[brooksrobinson]

Robert,

 

Thank you for the kind offer. I had conversations today with several operators offering to help. I believe I’m sorted out better than I could have hoped (and certainly better than the producers deserve), thanks to Charles Papert and Jon Myers. Thanks to all that offered assistance, and I hope I am able to return the favor in the near future.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brooks Robinson