Operator in Shot

[Marc Abernathy]

If I recall correctly, that was THE Prototype Steadicam sled. THE Prototype Steadicam vest. And, the arm? The first factory arm, designed by GB and Arnold DiGuilio.

 

[snip]

So, it wasn't a Model II. Or a Model I. Or a Steadicam 35. It was the Prototype.......

i dont think garrett is too thrilled to be so obvious in Rocky. seeing him, his assistant and that heavy video recorder slung over his shoulder is classic. think ill go watch the dvd now... B)

[JasonMcKelvey]

Watching movies over the years, I always look for the steadicam operator in windows and shiny cars. Some of the time when I see an operator (case in point last night on a big feature movie) I see he is wearing white shoes and white tube socks... pulled up all the way at that! I've heard people on the forum rightly criticize that Basson thingy for being yellow and chrome... is there a conscience decision made on what to wear on a job?

 

Jason

 

PS, yes i did consider putting this in the newbie forum... but thought it would get a wider response of operators in General Discussion. Sorry if I ticked anybody off.

[Michael Stumpf]

Personally, I think as an operator it's only common sense for you to always take a black pair of pants (sweat pants) and a black shirt with you on EVERY job.

You can always change into it whenever needed.

[Ari Gertler]

I always take my Blacks to the set. This includes a Black Baklava (sp?) to cover my head and face. This may be a little extreme, but there have been two shots that it helped keep my white face from reflecting in a car window, and a head-on shot looking at a mirror (don't ask, it wasn't my idea). Unfortunany the Baklava makes you look like a bank robber or a special forces op on the set.

I have seen a new item that Filmtools sells: All cotten, flat black, breathable hooded robe. The company markets it towards sound, camera guys as a quick black cover-up, around $50.

[KarloTomic]

White runners and white tube socks, man thats as bad as black socks and birkenstocks! Definitely a fashion abortion, luckily I see that as being more the exception. Wether doing steadicam or regular oping, like Michael and Ari said, I think most of us always have the black handy just in case the possiblity of inadvertantly appearing in the shot may become an issue.

[Charles Papert]

Just as important as wearing the right color outfit (probably more so) is to patrol the set WITHOUT the rig during reherseals if there is any danger of reflection, use the eyeballs to avoid this happening in the first place. Making sure the boom guy, camera assistant is on the appropriate side of camera is crucial. Just because we can't see it in the green screen doesn't make us exempt from blame when we photograph half the crew.

[Stephen Murphy]

Like Charles said, try and spot potential reflection problems on a walk through first . But, if you wear white trainers you at least stand some chance of spotting your own reflection in your greenscreen as you move through the first on-camera rehersal.

Of course im way too cool to wear white trainers on set ...anymore :P

[Marc Abernathy]

i can remember in some early 90's movies when the greenscreen was the BMOC (Big Man On Campus), whenever they did a shot of one actor speaking to another actor off camera AND the on camera actor had glasses, the greenscreen glare was very prominent in the glasses! i can remember one movie with fish (lawrence fishburn) where this happened... :ph34r:

[TJ Williams]

A few years ago shooting a promo piece for a large High tech co. Albert Einstein supposed to walk thru the plant and comment on current events. So albert (a very nice look alike actor) arrives in a 40 chev al restored, Steadi comes down to the window looks in and moves back in a precede into the Co Hq. So I walk all around the rounded shiny black car looking for everywhere there could be a reflection. Found a great path between the reflections. Rehearsed a couple then shot it in one take. Meanwhile the actor moves the side mirror while I'm walking back to 1. Me the rig, the Dp the Director the client all reflected in the mirror ... some kind of record for most stuff seen by accident....

[Marc Abernathy]

TJ,

 

lol thats hilarious! did you notice that as you were operating or in playback?

[Kareem La Vaullee]

Hi,

 

I have something here a bit less obvious than "Operator in Shot", just have a look :

 

 

Don't tell me you can't see it, I saw it the first time I watched the Movie

 

It's a screenshot from Kathryn Bigelow's Strange Days, Camera and Steadicam by the Fabulous James Muro

 

K.

[Marc Abernathy]

strange days with angela bassett?

 

i see the stand but no steadi?? good eye Kareem....

[Jason Williams]

I think my favourite "almost-in-shot" has to be Toy Soliders - I'm not sure of the Op, but right at the end there's a reunion type of shot, and the Op walks round and round, and his shadow is massively in shot a few times ... just thought it was worth mentioning as it's so obvious.

 

Check out SPEED, You can actually see the reflection of the operator on the low bed truck next to the bus, (when the bus still has a reflection in the front sliding doors)

 

If I remember correctly, isn't the Op jogging?

 

Jason

[Michael Tsimperopoulos SOC]

Hi,

 

Another screenshot from Strange Days...although I don't think this is Jim...

 

[Marc Abernathy]

nice eye mike!