First shoot Since Workshop

[Martin Whittier]

Hi everyone,

 

This is my first posting on the forum as I am still pretty new to the community. Firstly let me say that I have enjoyed reading the many threads going and those of you that I have spoke with by phone and email have been very helpful in choosing the right equipment to get started, so thank you.

 

Anyways, I took my first workshop with Jerry and Garrette back in October which was an absolute blast and I learned a ton. Since then I bought my Archer2 and have been practicing like crazy. This past Thursday was my first shoot since the workshop and needless to say I was a bit nervous. Of all the possible first jobs to shoot, this was a 5 camera live broadcast for about 3,000 people in attendance. To add a little more pressure I was tethered and working with an inexperienced cable puller. Lucky for me she picked it up fast and did a great job. To top off the experience I was in the rig for nearly three hours with four, five minute breaks. Surprisingly enough I felt pretty good afterwards, and this morning my back was only slightly tight. All in all it was a great first shoot and I got to try out a lot of cool fast movements running down the isle ways and around the stage. At the end of the show I even received a few nice comments from the TD and some other folks working the event.

 

So far I am loving Steadicam and I am glad that I took the leap. I am looking forward meeting more you as time goes on.

[Kevin Andrews SOC]

Welcome. Sounds like your first gig was a success. Hopefully they $$$ well.

[Emre Tufekci]

Hey welcome,

 

Glad you had a good time on your first gig. We seem to be in your neck of the woods, feel free to drop by sometime and we'll introduce you to a few other ops in the area.

 

Cheers,

 

Emre Tufekci

www.productionpit.com

[Martin Whittier]

Guys,

 

Thanks for the warm welcome. Emre, I have actually been on the Production Pit site and seen some of your guys' work. I appreciate the invite and will have to make a point of meeting up sometime.

[Peter Abraham]

Congrats, Martin ! A bit of a trial by fire, eh? Just as it should be. A smooth and stress-free first gig with a Steadicam is almost......unnerving.

 

Glad to hear that the sole after-effects was a bit of lactic acid there in the lower back. Sounds as though you worked to keep good form. Well done.

 

Stay in touch and welcome to the most incredible community of artists and technicians.

 

 

Best,

Peter Abraham

[jay kilroy]

Nice job Martin. Nervousness is good sometimes, haha. Congrats.

 

Jay

[Martin Whittier]

Nice to hear from you guys again. Peter, the rig has been working out great so thanks again for getting me hooked up. After scavenging the market place I have finally picked up all the basics such as a Modulus and a BFD. Still working on the demo reel but hopefully I will have something together soon and up on my site. Jay, I really enjoyed the workshop and I have a ton of photos I promised you. If you shoot me your email I'll get them over to you.

[Emre Tufekci]

Get out and shovel that snow, I cant think of a better work out for your back :lol:

 

I dugout 3 of my neighbors and as soon as the blizzard stops its back to work again.

 

How about using Garrets idea to attach power tools to reduce injuries? We can attach snow shovels????

 

But would we be charging union rates for clearing snow? :huh:

[Martin Whittier]

I had my fill of snow and shoveling the first time around. Second time I chose to be one of those idiots driving through the white outs to go snowboarding at Liberty. Turned out to be pretty fantastic but sure enough the snow was waiting to shoveled when I got back, just can't win. I'm just sorry I missed out on the 6,000 person snow ball fight.