Chris Fawcett operating the new Tango @ NAB in 3D

[Pavel Houda]

Chris Fawcett operated gracefully the new Tango at the NAB 2010. some footage has been capture and can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/steadivision#p/u/12/XhDHuV-NpBk , or here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcR5eyjY_vo . Tango is just awesome in the hands of a master.

[Sydney Seeber]

the way I read that, I was expecting to see a 3D rig on that thing

[Pavel Houda]

the way I read that, I was expecting to see a 3D rig on that thing

It would be nice. If they give me one, I will gladly mount 3D rig on it :-). Until then, just the video is in 3D.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

i have yet to see actual footage of the tango, who will post that?

 

btw, I wonder how these people feel about the name......

 

http://www.tangohead.com/

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

btw, I wonder how these people feel about the name...... http://www.tangohead.com/

 

 

I said that when I first heard the name a week and half ago

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

btw, I wonder how these people feel about the name...... http://www.tangohead.com/

 

 

I said that when I first heard the name a week and half ago

 

glad I'm not the only one......

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

btw, I wonder how these people feel about the name...... http://www.tangohead.com/

 

 

I said that when I first heard the name a week and half ago

 

glad I'm not the only one......

 

The other problem I have with it is that EVERYONE knows what a tango head is and it's not a steadicam...

[Sanjay Sami]

 

The other problem I have with it is that EVERYONE knows what a tango head is and it's not a steadicam...

 

Why is that a problem? They are very different products for very different cameras.

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

 

The other problem I have with it is that EVERYONE knows what a tango head is and it's not a steadicam...

 

Why is that a problem? They are very different products for very different cameras.

 

it's a problem because the share the same name and department.

[Sanjay Sami]

 

The other problem I have with it is that EVERYONE knows what a tango head is and it's not a steadicam...

 

Why is that a problem? They are very different products for very different cameras.

 

it's a problem because the share the same name and department.

 

My point is (and I could be wrong) that they are unlikely to both appear on the same set. Maybe that will change if Tango makes a lightweight head for DSLR's.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

 

The other problem I have with it is that EVERYONE knows what a tango head is and it's not a steadicam...

 

Why is that a problem? They are very different products for very different cameras.

 

it's a problem because the share the same name and department.

 

My point is (and I could be wrong) that they are unlikely to both appear on the same set. Maybe that will change if Tango makes a lightweight head for DSLR's.

 

 

Beg to differ the shows I play on all carry a tango head.

 

It's bad form to glom onto someone else's name

[Brad Hruboska]

I would tend to agree that the name is confusing with a few other products. I know that Peter Abraham kind of dubbed the in between Don Juan and missionary operating position the Tango and I suspect that the name came from there.

 

So other manufacturers sled adaptability? Will there be an after market PRO interface? Other sleds? Or will will this be a Tiffen only item? From the arm forward? Price-point?, can i use my new 8G transvideo hd monitor on this device?

 

Compatibility will breed sales. In a market where I know I myself, am under increasing pressure to deal lower and lower on the gear rental, new acquisitions are a hard choice as to whether they will generate income or just be a curiosity. I recently lost a three week contract after my low bid was underbid by less than half, and more and more productions start their solicitation call with, "its a low budget film", "we really want"..., and more often than not there is some old gear that fits their budget, not my mega package. I was having drinks with the local Technocrane op and producers are demanding elaborate lists of the package and go through it censuring individual items trying to leave out a cable or a battery or a BRACKET to lower the rental. I feel like i am in the Bazzaar in Merakesh.

 

 

But I LOVE the idea.

[chris fawcett]

Thanks, Pavel,

 

Though if you want to see a real master operate the Tango, you should see Garrett, Jerry, or Ruben.

 

I won't be posting any footage of my Tango shots until I have had more time in the rig, which I hope will be soon—it's definitely addictive. My first impression of using it was a sense of bewilderment at the sheer range of possibilities. You can place the camera anywhere on a 3 meter (10 ft) sphere, and point it just about any direction. The mini-me Steadicam on the end responds perfectly. Close your eyes, and boom, pan, tilt, and roll feel like they are happening on the master rig in your hands, though in addition, you now have crane as a possibility. This is daunting, compared to what we are used to operating ordinary Steadicam, until you think in terms of a shot. Once you have a camera track laid out in your imagination, the possibilities narrow, and rather quickly, you work out your rig co-ordination and footwork.

 

I was impressed enough to seriously consider buying one, and I'm sure the finished product will tempt me more. Since it's an accessory, and consists of steam-punk technology, I am led to believe the price will tempt me too. Time will tell on that score, but I'm already planning my first test shot. Imagine following a couple into a car—sliding the Tango through one of the front windows—getting between them, and panning back and forth to their conversation. Cue Handsfree transporter: the car drives off.... I have to stop now.

 

My only real problem is that there is apparently a South-American dance of the same name. I just received a Youtube subscription from a milonga in Buenos Aires—seriously!

 

Chris

[Sanjay Sami]

Beg to differ the shows I play on all carry a tango head.

 

It's bad form to glom onto someone else's name

 

Exactly my point. I own 2 Tangos. One manual, and one motorised to clip into my 2 axis remote head for a lightweight quickfix 3rd axis (limited). But the Tango steadicam would never make it onto a show that uses the tango swing head, because of the obvious weight restrictions of the rig.

 

As I said earlier ... I could be wrong, maybe people use lightweight DSLR's on Tango heads. I'm no expert in the digital world, having never even seen an HD camera, except for looking at the Thomson Viper on "Benjamin Button" that we never used on second unit (Arri 435 all the way).

 

Anyway, I agree with you about not infiltrating copyright, but I doubt it was intentional

 

Regards

 

Sanjay Sami

[Steve Fracol SOC]

Your all making good points. I think time will tell what will happen with the name, the price, compatibility, etc.

 

I just think it is awesome that we have a new device to work with. Once again GB was thinking outside the box. Man...we all owe this guy a lot...don't we!!! What would we all be doing if we did not operate a Steadicam? What if the original was never invented? Thank You Mr. Brown!!!

 

I have yet to see the Tango (Steadicam) in person but look forward to trying it out. I have been out of the loop with Tiffen for a while since being so busy. I did not see this one coming other than a hint that something was coming from last CineGear. I hope it opens another new door for us creativity as operators. As long as it works and works well I can easily see it playing on some of the shows I work on.

 

We actually used a DSLR as an insert camera for a few shots intercutting with the Sony F-23 last fall on a movie in Louisiana. The reason was that the F-23 even without the deck was to large to literally fit where it needed to fit to get the shot. The DP had a DSLR on set so we shot it with that and it worked fine. Inserts that is, no panning, etc. As those cameras fix all the movement issues they have I believe they will be used more often as "C" cameras and FX units and such on larger budget shows. It makes me a bit sick in some ways to see it happening...but also I am embracing it (and learning all I can learn about it) as it is obviously going to be a part of all of our futures.

 

Steve Fracol