Greta Mart Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 Greetings, All. My dad would be so pleased to read these kind posts, thank you. He truly loved his work and colleagues beyond compare, and recently told me he felt like the character Forrest Gump (a movie he was thrilled to work on) in that his life was comprised of one serendipitous, unbelievably lucky turn of events after another. From the moment when he was a teen-aged, neophyte photographer singled out in a crowd by JFK (who commended Dad on his enterprising climb up the side of a brick wall to get an aerial shot); to being hired to shoot a promo film on the newly-built Alaskan Pipeline (perks included his own float plane, bush pilot, weeks-long employment roaming the state and a liberal expense account); to his youngest son being accepted last month to U of W medical school (my dad went into the Air Force in lieu of college). Please, join us on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena (see www.uuneighborhood.org). Nothing in this world would make my dad happier than having his friends and colleagues gather around and trade stories about his Rube Goldberg equipment inventions, impossible shots, loving friendships and peerless adventures. -Greta Mart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson Villamil Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 hello Hi Please excuse me, this person (jeff Mart) was the one working in the MK-V booth at NAB this year??? I do not want to confuse me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Howard J Smith Posted November 25, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 hello Hi Please excuse me, this person (jeff Mart) was the one working in the MK-V booth at NAB this year??? I do not want to confuse me. Hi Nelson Yes he was... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alan Greene Posted November 25, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 I only met him once (he was the only op I was truly nervous to introduce myself to), and I know him only through what I’ve seen on screen and through stories at workshops, but his legacy is unquestionably substantial. A great loss for the community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Garrett Brown Posted November 25, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Jeff Mart was a Steadicam pioneer and a great-hearted friend who inspired us all with his ingenuity and courage. At Cinema Products in 1977, just weeks after the release of the Model I, we were stunned to receive a 16mm print showing an apparent madman on a bicycle, operating Steadicam while bouncing down a steep alpine meadow! Plus the incredible footage from his CP-16! It was Jeff, who chose that unforgettable way to introduce himself; and ever since, he has been the hardy'mountain man' of Steadicam, meeting every challenge head-on and bringing off one impossible shot after another with heart-stopping panache. Jeff tamed and mastered bike shots, for example, by simply cutting off one handlebar; and he became the stuff of legend around the campfires in Maine and Philadelphia for his canny solutions to unique Steadicam dilemmas like running up the steps of that bloody temple! We all worried about him -- I worried for years that he was too bold, too impulsive, too vulnerable to some bit of loose gravel or slippery handhold or stupid blunder by someone else. But I finally realized that though he was game for anything, he improved the odds with brilliant preparation, and his vitality and boldness always carried him through So it's heartbreakingly unexpected to learn that Jeff died 'off the clock'. Just slipped away from us, out of our sight and hearing, to his place in our small noble pantheon along with Teddy and Bob and a few cherished others. Jeff, I deeply regret not having a chance to tell you how much you have meant to me and to all of us over these many years. Here's to you dear friend. We'll raise a glass in your honor as long as these stories are told. Garrett Brown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jessica Lopez Posted November 25, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 I just got the news. I am so sad right now. Five years ago I was in Ohio dreaming of what my days would be like in Los Angeles and what it would be like being a Steadicam Operator. Three years ago I met Jeff at Cinegear and have been in contact with him ever since. I not only got to know that person he was but the legend he was. He told me some amazing stories probably some of the most crazy, shocking, scary, and fun operating stories of all time. I wish I had more time to spend with him. He was a super fun person to be around. I am deeply saddened by his passing. I hope he is rocking the Steadicam up in Heaven! Adios Amigo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson Villamil Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 I met him at NAB 2009, excellent person, super friendly, thanks to Jeff I could try and get my hands on the MV-V AR. Two photos in the NAB when I explain the use of AR. KINDNESS, I remember it well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brad Grimmett Posted November 26, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 I heard great stories both about Jeff, and from Jeff. I wish I could have heard more... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Juan M.Ramos SOC Posted November 26, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 I met him 3 years ago at Cinegear;it was an honor to know one of the pioneer of our community and be able to ask him a few question about the steadicam world.The surprise came whe he ask to me about Spain market and my way to operate,he wanted to know how we work and about me,it was a great honor and show me what kind of person he was,humble and friendly;It was a kind of dream knew him,I have heared about Jeff from my firsts days 16 years ago.....for his friends and family I have to say that Jeff will alive in all the second generation of operators around the world as example and a model of person.Jeff rest in peace and thanks for all. Sorry for my english and I hope that somebody can explain my words in his memorial and transmite to his family what Jeff was and is out of his own country...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Howard J Smith Posted November 26, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 As a tribute to Jeff, I have started a Page on my site - http://www.mk-v.com/?p=982 If anyone has any stories or photos they would like to share please email me off forum. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Laura Mart Posted November 26, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 Dear Everyone, Your kind words and stories about my dad have helped my entire family get through the past few days, which have been very difficult for all of us. I love reading the stories about him jumping down mountains and hanging off the sides of boats, and I know this is exactly how he would like to be remembered. My sister Greta posted the information about his memorial eariler, but I have also created a facebook event for his memorial. The link is http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.p...727&index=1 . Please, if you are in town, come. We know that nothing would make my dad happier than to have everyone he knew telling tales of his fantastic feats and raising a glass in his honor. Your memories are the greatest tribute. Please join us this Sunday, November 29th, at Neighborhood Church's Ross Chapel, 301 N. Orange Grove, Pasadena, CA 91103. Thank you for your love and support. In love and solidarity, Laura Mart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Allen Grove Posted November 27, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 This is very sad news. It's rare that we get to work side by side with other Steadicam operators but I worked along side Jeff as well as two other Steadicam ops on a job a few years ago. His stories were great fun to listen too during our down time. He'll certainly be missed by many. I wanted to let everyone know that Jeff has been added to the memoriam section of the Steadicam Guild website. www.SteadicamGuild.org Also, if anyone has any video of Jeff working behind the scenes or some photos of Jeff (especially the early years) please contact me at steadicamguildadmin@gmail.com I would like to create a video tribute like we did for Bob Ulland. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Milan Holec Posted November 27, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 I really didn't know Jeff personally (I only knew by reputation) but we are as big family and it is big loss we’ll miss him Please give my condolences to his daughter and his family Milan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Garrett Brown Posted November 28, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 From Toby Phillips: (Garrett's) words tell such truth of the "apparent madman," who was indeed very talented and a good bit braver than most of us. I only met Jeff a few times. I hired him once to work with me on a shoot, where his bicycle riding skills were needed (something I could never master) and he made it look too easy. Though I hardly know any of the "new kids on the block" those of us from the early days, who were committed to Steadicam and did our best to push the boundaries, were joined by a common bond. We'd hear "on the grapevine" of new endeavors and achievements and wonder how next to utilize those skills. Jeff Mart was a constant in that realm of latest Steadicam adventures. I'm sure to have "borrowed" some of his techniques. Thank you Jeff for all that you contributed to the art of Steadicam and the team of other zealous operators, who only looked in wonder as to how to keep-up with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Peter Schmehl Posted November 28, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 ...very sad to hear about the loss of Jeff, although I never got to meet him, he was and still is an inspiration to all of our kind. RIP Jeff sincerely with deep respect, Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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