Tom Daigon Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 This is a similiar greeting to the one I posted at the HBS forum so my apologies if you have read this already. My name is Tom and I am a Avid DS / FCP editor that is rediscovering my cameraman roots to diversify in these challenging economic times. I got my degree in Telecom and Film at San Diego State about 30 years ago which was the beginning of my life in video production. I have been a cameraman in San Diego, A CMX / Avid editor at a large facility in Salt Lake and for 10 years have been an editor at a boutique here is Vegas. Diversifying and enhancing my skills became a priority as work here diminished. My love of camera work re-blossomed when I discovered the Canon 5D and the Sony EX3. A camera stabilizer seemed like a great tool to learn. I was lucky enough to get in touch with a great guy whos steaicam work I edited into many commercials over the last 8 years, Lynn Nicholson. He came over and spent the afternoon giving me tips and pointers which I really appreciate. After only knowing him professionally it was nice to get to know him as a person. And it encouraged me to energize my learning process . At the time I had a X-10 customized for the 5D. This week I took delivery of the V-25 arm / vest with the X-45 sled for use with the EX3. The process continues... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Robert Starling SOC Posted January 23, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 Welcome to the Forum Tom! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted January 23, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 You are lucky to know Lynn. He's a super nice guy and wicked smart to boot. Welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Daigon Posted January 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 Thanks Robert. This place is a wealth of information and experience. Yes Ron, Lynn is a very cool person. And from what I hear a hell of a trumpet player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Robert Starling SOC Posted January 23, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 Thanks Robert. This place is a wealth of information and experience. Be sure to read the archives and also try to get yourself into a week-long workshop with the Steadicam Operators Association or Tiffen; they fill up fast. Meanwhile if there's anything I can do to help you just let me know. I have Preston HU3 and Canatrans' for rental as well. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Daigon Posted January 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 Thanks Robert. This place is a wealth of information and experience. Be sure to read the archives and also try to get yourself into a week-long workshop with the Steadicam Operators Association or Tiffen; they fill up fast. Meanwhile if there's anything I can do to help you just let me know. I have Preston HU3 and Canatrans' for rental as well. Robert Thanks Robert. Thats very helpful of you. It sure would be nice if there was a workshop here in town. Then I could learn with my rig and save travel and lodging money. After my recent purchase (V-25) and the slowness of work, Im at the point where the well has just about dryed up for the moment. Thanks again for the good thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted January 23, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 Get a practice weight (as heavy as your rig and back can stand) and practice practice practice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Daigon Posted January 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 Get a practice weight (as heavy as your rig and back can stand) and practice practice practice! Ron, since I have the Steadicam Operators handbook and the old "EFP Training DVD", Ive been practicing the "line dance" and the "X" exercises with the camera I would be using most of the time (the Sony EX3). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Daigon Posted January 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 (edited) Get a practice weight (as heavy as your rig and back can stand) and practice practice practice! Ron, since I have the Steadicam Operators handbook and the old "EFP Training DVD", Ive been practicing the "line dance" and the "X" exercises with the camera I would be using most of the time (the Sony EX3). If anyone does hear of a workshop being scheduled for Las Vegas please let me know. I would REALLY like to take one. { Would I be discriminated against if I desired to learn on my V-25 rig ;-) } Edited January 23, 2010 by Tom Daigon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted January 24, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Tom, keep your eyes peeled on http://steadicamworkshops.com/, and Peter usually posts to the forum when new workshops are scheduled. It's a shame, you missed out on the Flyer workshop this weekend in LA and there was one a couple weeks ago in Vegas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Robert Starling SOC Posted January 24, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Most of the workshops require you use their rig since everyone shares rigs throughout the day and week and they don't want to be responsible for your rig. If your Glidecam vest has an industry standard / compatible socket block they would surely let you wear your own vest as I've brought my Tiffen Ultra vest to several. One of the great things about workshops is that you get to try on and work with a very wide range of equipment and thus it gives you a better idea of what you like and don't like. I have an 11 pound weight plate you can use to workout with and for flying smaller cameras to give them a better feel / balance. You should definitely try to get into one of the week-long workshops regardless of where it is but I know you won't get a five day here in Las Vegas. Peter and I did a two day here about a year and a half ago and it was very modestly attended. Have fun, fly safe and let me know if there's anything I can do to help you. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted January 24, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 You should definitely try to get into one of the week-long workshops regardless of where it is but I know you won't get a five day here in Las Vegas. Peter and I did a two day here about a year and a half ago and it was very modestly attended. 2 years ago this month, and I am indeed very modest. Agreed on the week long, says a guy who's yet to attend one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Daigon Posted January 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Tom, keep your eyes peeled on http://steadicamworkshops.com/, and Peter usually posts to the forum when new workshops are scheduled. It's a shame, you missed out on the Flyer workshop this weekend in LA and there was one a couple weeks ago in Vegas! Brian, that is a shame. The Vegas / Flyer workshop would have been perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Daigon Posted January 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 (edited) Most of the workshops require you use their rig since everyone shares rigs throughout the day and week and they don't want to be responsible for your rig. If your Glidecam vest has an industry standard / compatible socket block they would surely let you wear your own vest as I've brought my Tiffen Ultra vest to several. One of the great things about workshops is that you get to try on and work with a very wide range of equipment and thus it gives you a better idea of what you like and don't like. I have an 11 pound weight plate you can use to workout with and for flying smaller cameras to give them a better feel / balance. You should definitely try to get into one of the week-long workshops regardless of where it is but I know you won't get a five day here in Las Vegas. Peter and I did a two day here about a year and a half ago and it was very modestly attended. Have fun, fly safe and let me know if there's anything I can do to help you. Robert Robert, the equipment thing makes sense. Experiencing another system is fine by me. But my current situation would limit me to a 2 day workshop. Given my state of employment (or lack there of of) and a pet recently diagnosed with diabetes (that needs daily injections) , I am somewhat limited as to what I can spend and where I can go. But maybe I will get a little luck going here and another 2 day flyer workshop will happen soon here in Vegas. I just got the V-25 balanced with my EX3 and am adjusting to the weight increase over the X-10 / Canon 5D combo. So for the moment I don't think I will need that weight ;-) Thanks for the words of encouragement! Edited January 24, 2010 by Tom Daigon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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