Two Steadicams equals double the fun.

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

Hello all. I just wanted to take a moment and publicly acknowledge and thank my dear friends and fellow Steadicam Operators, David Ellis and Afton Grant. Through a set of bizarre circumstances that I wont bore you with, I ended up directing a zero budget remake of Michael Jackon’s “Beat It” music video this weekend. Originally, I was slated to direct and DP this project but as the shoot day neared and I fell behind with prep because of “real” work, I was relived to have my wife, Jendra Jarnagin, step up to the plate and take the DP reins. This was particularly nifty since I had committed to shooting on four Canon 7Ds but had little time to test.

 

David and Afton came out as Steadicam Operators for the day and we had a blast along with the other two camera operators, Maria Luisa Ramirez and Liz Rubin. It was a little strange but rather refreshing not touching a single piece of gear all day. The greatest thing about these cameras is that you can put them almost anywhere because of their size yet they don’t look like crap (when handled properly – neat trick, that). We kept David in low-mode and Afton in hi-mode all day while Liz and Maria Luisa jumped around on sticks. Having two Steadicams was insanely delightful for this project as we were day light dependent and in an amazing location (under an elevated train in Queens New York amongst some of the finest graffiti covered buildings in the world). Jendra and I plotted out the day based on the sun’s position and were rewarded with maximum use of multiple cameras. David and Afton frequently had to perform synchronized swimming - two rigs at the same time in perfect step. It was fabulous staring at the monitors watching the perspective of hi and low angles being shot simultaneously. While both of them were worked to the bone, they did get occasional rest during “dramatic” portions when I had an exact shot laid out that only called for one or the other. Who needs an AR when you can simply call for the other Steadicam!?

 

I’m extraordinarily lucky to have had these fine lads (along with my amazingly talented wife and crew). I just wanted to shamelessly plug both of them amongst their peers so they’d have trouble fitting their heads through doorways and such.

 

Thanks guys.

[chris fawcett]

I guess Jacques Monge was busy that day ;)

[Lukas Franz]

That's what steadicam fellows are there for, isn't it? ;-) Alec, looking forward to see the end product.

[Sanjay Sami]

I guess Jacques Monge was busy that day ;)

 

Wow chris !

Is that a gimmick or for real. I cannot even imagine the level of multitasking required to hold both frames (and smoke a cigarette :) .

 

Sanjay

[Kareem La Vaullee]

I guess Jacques Monge was busy that day ;)

 

Wow chris !

Is that a gimmick or for real. I cannot even imagine the level of multitasking required to hold both frames (and smoke a cigarette :) .

 

Sanjay

 

It was during a workshop with late Ted Churchill.

 

And it's not pictured here but my dear friend Jacques also used to have a glass of good red wine on top of his 3A battery, you know, for an unoticed sip between takes !

 

(I tried that, but with a sandwich, on the shooting of a boring made-for-TV movie... I have yet to try the two Steadicam thing)

 

K.

[Afton Grant]

I must state that this was one of the most fun days I've had working on set in a very long time. What could be better? An excellent friend operating along side me the whole day, and an excellent friend directing the whole day with an obvious understanding and empathy for his two Steadicam operators. There was no "roundy round for the entire song." No "run down the street with the actors." The shots were challenging enough to keep us on our toes, pretty enough to hopefully make the reel, but never was there one of those shots where the entire time you're thinking, "There's no chance this makes it into the final cut." It was just a great day. Well done, Alec. Thanks for bringing me on board.

[Yousheng Tang]

Hello Alec, Congrats!

 

Please let me know if an opportunity like that happens again!

I'd be more than glad to lend a hand and have the opportunity to learn from Dave and Afton.

[Peter Abraham]

I guess Jacques Monge was busy that day ;)

 

Wow chris !

Is that a gimmick or for real. I cannot even imagine the level of multitasking required to hold both frames (and smoke a cigarette :) .

 

Sanjay

 

 

Dude, we had a long talk about your smoking at the Eastern Classic !! Now, you can go smoke-free and chaw and pan, chaw and tilt, chaw and whip......

[Sanjay Sami]

I guess Jacques Monge was busy that day ;)

 

Wow chris !

Is that a gimmick or for real. I cannot even imagine the level of multitasking required to hold both frames (and smoke a cigarette :) .

 

Sanjay

 

 

Dude, we had a long talk about your smoking at the Eastern Classic !! Now, you can go smoke-free and chaw and pan, chaw and tilt, chaw and whip......

 

Ha ha ha !! Peter, need to talk to you desperately. Will try and call tomorrow. In Istanbul right now. Crazy shoot with crazy weather.