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if all of your batts let you down... don't panic


Matteo Quagliano

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The other day I was on set for a short. Leaving very early I pick up an entire set of old batts instead of the new one (my incredible fault), got on set (3 hours away in the middle of nothing in a dancing hall) and realize I was in a big basket of s....t. Shooting with 7D with DigiFox and txrx, no need for camera but accessories and monitor need feed. After the first 5 mins of total panic (trying to charge dead batts) I decide to solve the problem no matter what.

fortunately I have always with me an IDX batt charger that has a very comfy 12v output for whatever you might want to plug in... so I plug there the sled. fantastic electrician department help me out in building this, putting down more then 50 mt of cable to allow the scene to be filmed. my fantastic AC managed to pull the focus while carrying tha batt charger with cable giving me power.

I got the job done, director was more then happy with the shots delivered (actually he didn't realize the problem until the end of the day when I told him), DP was on my side, all newcomers, this should never happend on a big set but if it does you have a solution.

I hope this can be of some sort of help, I always share my mistakes or problems to help people. I know if it can looks like I'm not professional but I'll take the chance, I prefer being of some help instead of looking professional.

I love this side of steadicam, problem solving.

 

maqu

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Conception is everything...especialy in what we do!

 

That's a very nice story Matteo...and I admire the thing about mistakes and image that you said...after all NOONE is perfect!

And the ones that learn from their mistakes are the best out there...

 

Thank you for sharing!

 

- Haris -

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Thank you Haris. I really appreciate your post.

So I'll keep posting my mistakes on and on... I'm quite used in trying to solve impossible problem, one of the best was the video tap burned with an Arri SR3 bypassed by a consumer HD camera attacked into the eyepiece to have video out for my monitor and the video village (luckily enough the owner of the camera had the proprietary cable for outputting a composite sd video).

Keep flying... on and on and on...

maqu

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  • 4 months later...
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Conception is everything...especialy in what we do!

 

- Haris -

 

Best Words Haris!

 

Matteo, happy you have found the solution! You remind me when in the first times I flew with an ARRIFLEX 2C on my first sled... there wasn't 24v power ouputs adapter on it... So... The Camera was powered in the old way just like when the "old" green screen knights operated with the Panaglide... Bad times for the balance... Personally I hate to be tied by HD-SDI Cables, Triax etc... But if you taked good shoots this means you are a good operator and your assistant a good assistant!

 

Let's Keep in touch... in the early of next month you will receive an invitation! ;-)

 

Best, Steve.

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