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Single take steadicam feature to be shot on RED


Tanner Stauss

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Another 2c

 

Contact Benjamin Treplin. He shot Russian Ark as I remember. Contact Markus Bernhardt. He built a custom very lightweight rig for the film. Still may have it and may even rent it out. Russian Ark had a cut I remember from an interview with Benjamin.

 

Keep in mind that the Red Drive, which you have to use, produces dropped frames very easily. I shot a feature last year and we only used 16GB CF cards because of the production safety. You pan too fast, you run into something, whip pan.... it may produce drop frames. Saying that I must admit I used a first generation Red Drive. Red has done smoething about that issue I heard. You check on Reduser for that.

 

Anyway, good luck.

 

Markus

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Wow, ok, I've done super long shots with the RED. Here's a few thoughts...

 

First, I read your post and I understand that you didn't want any advice other than equipment advice. Understand that for many of the operators here, that is almost impossible. For one, there is a very intimate connection between man and machine with a Steadicam so it's kind of hard to just talk about parts when the operator and the operating are so relevant to the equipment.

 

Also realize that if this was a NASCAR drivers web site, you basically came on and said, "I just got my drivers license and I'm going to race and win Datyona this year, do you guys have any thoughts on how I should set up my car?".

 

That being said, I'll offer only equipment specific advice:

 

I think (and I hope for your sake) you are talking about the Optimo 15-40 zoom lens? It is super light (about what a Cook S4 weighs) and is a 2.6. It is one of the nicest pieces of glass ever made in my opinion. It would be a great choice for this shoot assuming you don't need to go wider than 15mm and tighter than 40mm (tighter than 40mm after about 15 minutes would be kind of crazy any way).

 

The Preston is a great choice for wireless focus. Not for nothing (I love Canatrans) but I'd go with a Modolus 3000 for wireless video. In my experience it has a more consistent track record.

 

I'd for sure go with an LCD monitor even if the whole thing was in screaming bright daylight (but that starts to become a personal opinion).

 

For the drive I'd go with a RED-Ram which is less likely to drop frames but depending on your recording mode may or may not have enough storage space.

 

Finally batteries. While weight is obviously going to be an issue but I think power will be an even bigger issue. If it were me, I'd go with a PRO and 3 Hytron 140's. That's one for the monitor and 2 for the power. That would eliminate the 'do I have enough power' question. It would also allow you to have a short rig which might prove handy after 30 or 40 minutes of shooting.

 

Finally part 2. Charles Papert (if I remember correctly) mentioned that he used a steadicam jr (or something like it) and a mini dv camera to do rehearsals on a job. I would suspect that you are going to rehearse the heck out of this movie so that might be a super handy tool. Having done quite a few music video 'oners' and many scenes that were several minutes in length, I can suggest that after a few rehearsals you will be pretty exhausted.

 

It sounds like (and I'm sure you are) in excellent physical shape. For reference, I am 36 and I can run a low 3 hour marathon. I fight mixed martial arts as a hobby and I train for several hours on every day I'm not working. Carrying a full sized rig with a camera like a RED, I am exhausted after doing 3 passes back to back of a 4 minute music video. You might want to consider using something like a RED dolly for walking onto and off of when it's not necessary to be on your feet.

 

Best of luck!

 

mm.

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...If it were me, I'd go with a PRO and 3 Hytron 140's. That's one for the monitor and 2 for the power. That would eliminate the 'do I have enough power' question.

 

Holy Zues' butthole that's a 27 lb sled without a monitor! Maybe try 3 dionic 160's -- they have quite a bit more power (12.5 amps vs 9.5 amps) and will shave over 6 lbs from a Pro2 with all h-140's (and thousands of pounds from your lower bulging disc). Start using lisagav now!

 

Mike, I love the NASCAR analogy!

 

**shameless plug -- hey Tanner, if you do happen to want/need h-140's:

http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?sh...amp;#entry51945

 

rb

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I think (and I hope for your sake) you are talking about the Optimo 15-40 zoom lens? It is super light (about what a Cook S4 weighs) and is a 2.6. It is one of the nicest pieces of glass ever made in my opinion. It would be a great choice for this shoot assuming you don't need to go wider than 15mm and tighter than 40mm (tighter than 40mm after about 15 minutes would be kind of crazy any way).

 

 

Yeah, this is why I mentioned the 28-76, it's the same housing, so the exact same size and weight (about 4.5 lbs) and has a zoom range closer to the range he mentioned, with a bit less on the wide end.

 

On a side note, it occurred to me there is an 18-70mm Nikon still lens and a Nikon mount for the Red One, so I wonder if that is the lens they are using? In which case, weight will be much less, but zoom/focus will be more difficult!

 

Excellent points all around, Mike.

 

Good luck, Tanner!

Edited by Brian Freesh
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...If it were me, I'd go with a PRO and 3 Hytron 140's. That's one for the monitor and 2 for the power. That would eliminate the 'do I have enough power' question.

 

Holy Zues' butthole that's a 27 lb sled without a monitor! Maybe try 3 dionic 160's -- they have quite a bit more power (12.5 amps vs 9.5 amps) and will shave over 6 lbs from a Pro2 with all h-140's (and thousands of pounds from your lower bulging disc). Start using lisagav now!

 

Mike, I love the NASCAR analogy!

 

**shameless plug -- hey Tanner, if you do happen to want/need h-140's:

http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?sh...amp;#entry51945

 

rb

 

wow, over a 2lb difference per battery! so yea, use 3 dionic 160's! i currently use one hytron 140 on the front to make up for the light weight of my lcd. the 140 plus the pro uber long monitor arm seem to work perfectly to work out balance with a boland 8.4 instead of a greenie.

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I just thought of this if not sure if it would work though what about IDX Steadicam Power Cubes with a hot swap adapter on the sled rather then the camera?

 

Light batteries, and if you have a steadicam sled you can put up to 4 batts on it

 

Would this work?

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I think the aliens will show up just before the RED crashes with about 2 minutes left in the story during the keeper take.

 

Having done two good-sized features last summer, both on the RED, my money is on battery problems killing the technical side of things.

 

Zoom, really? If absolutely necessary, think 15-40 size range either Cooke or Optimo.

 

Story side? Are the actors up for that level of performance without any coverage or pickups?

 

Start looking for your back support team now: chiropractor, message therapist, orthopedic surgeon, lisigav supply, etc.

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My 2 cents on this:

 

I get nervous when a director says, "The whole movie is going to be shot on Steadicam!" let alone in a "oner" or a series of long takes like Hitchcock did in "Rope."

 

In those situations, I always ask why the director is digging himself or herself into this hole, throwing out a large part of the articulate language of cinema. I've never received a good answer (and never been offered the job, thank you).

 

Many of us have shot for hours without a break as part of a concert or sporting event or the like, but there are other cameras to cut to (usually many of them) so we do not have to be perfect 100% of the time, try as we might.

 

And all the other efforts of the actors and crew are compromised to this "cool" notion.

 

With all the technical thrills of the RED to contend with, plus the physical burden, let alone the aesthetic, I suggest you and the director rethink what you are doing.

 

Jerry

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I think the only reason I made it thru to the end of Russian Ark was because of the historic value as a period piece, art direction and the costuming... and I still had to rewind TWICE from dozing off.

 

I think the operator himself said he was about to throw down the rig until he got into the ball room and had an adrenaline rush seeing hundreds of dancers and the full orchestra playing for the waltz.... I hope you build in your shot of adrenaline or just give a syringe of adrenaline to the grip spotting you (if he's still awake).

 

-Alfeo ZZZZzzzzzzzz... oh, is this still on!?!

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