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Steadicam Improvement


Simon Lee

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Hi,

 

I am a Mechanical Engineering student at Exeter University in the UK. I am about to undertake my 3rd year individual project and I have a great interest in videography and cinematography.

 

I propose to study the mechanics of the steadicam as a math modelling problem in an attemt to optimise the system.

I would otherwise (and prefer) to improve, or add functionality to a particular part of the system. I will be contacting companies involved, but I would like to hear from operators if there is any functionality that you would like to see added, or if there are any problems that you feel could be improved upon.

 

I hope that you can be of help.

 

Regards

 

Simon Lee

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Hi Simon,

 

If you search this site for 'Alien' you will then see the newest next generation Steadicam. Somewhere there is a link to the US patents page that should make interesting reading for you. If you can improve on this then please let me know before you tell anyone else!! :D

 

Alex

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i recommend you search the archives for tilting heads. currently the ultra cine has a built-in tilting head; however, those of us without ultras would be interested in seeing a light-weight tilting head that could be added to older rigs but not interfere with the top stage. let us know if you come up with anything fun.

 

jake pollock

taipei, taiwan

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Now, look. The tilting head stage is a Patented item. Going to an engineering student to "take a look at" that is a dirty trick and not one bit respectful of the inventors and their protection under law. You wanna machine something? Go for it. He wants to machine something? He can go for it. Encouraging this fellow- whose intent seems very honorable- to do something completely dishonrable smacks of the kind of disrespect rarely seen in our corner of the industry.

 

I decry it. Let the fellow apply a fresh set of eyes and new point of view to what we do, he might well have some neat ideas.

 

And, to do an end-run around the predictable retorts I am talking about honor and respect for intellectual property here, not which countries are covered by the Patents for the Tilting Head Stage. It's unfair to try to drag someone new into the theft of intellectual ideas and designs battle.

 

Peter Abraham

New York

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Now, look. The tilting head stage is a Patented item. Going to an engineering student to "take a look at" that is a dirty trick and not one bit respectful of the inventors and their protection under law. You wanna machine something? Go for it. He wants to machine something? He can go for it. Encouraging this fellow- whose intent seems very honorable- to do something completely dishonrable smacks of the kind of disrespect rarely seen in our corner of the industry.

 

I decry it. Let the fellow apply a fresh set of eyes and new point of view to what we do, he might well have some neat ideas.

 

And, to do an end-run around the predictable retorts I am talking about honor and respect for intellectual property here, not which countries are covered by the Patents for the Tilting Head Stage. It's unfair to try to drag someone new into the theft of intellectual ideas and designs battle.

 

A men!

 

 

How about figure out an anti-gravity device to replace the arm and vest? B)

 

- Mikko

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