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Nexus/AR tips and feedback


flemming laybourn

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Next week I get my AR from mk-v, and since this is such an advanced system with a lot of new challenges, im looking for fellow AR operators around the world to get some feedback, ask all the stupid questions, ect..

Get back to me if you have the time to give a "second time newbee" a litlle advice along the way..

 

All the best

 

Flemming Laybourn

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I can guarantee that in terms of weight the AR is a whole new experience, simply because it sits far away in respect with the operator's body, and the most during transitions.

apart from that, I didn't really ever had a great time with it and sold it after a year. Mostly because never had somebody happy to pay the right amount of money for it. Let me suggest you, in case you are getting it brand new, to have a workshop with Howard, so you can better understand how to approach the tool and save some time once at home. I hope for your back you're having a BM vest, a must!

Camera wise, if you talk about film camera, only the smallest cameras will fit into it, and sometimes it's a huge head-scratching to fit the accessories you would like to have on board. Digital cameras are getting smaller and smaller, so the range of camera fitting into it is broadening day by day. Personally speaking, never enjoyed flying it, a totally different feeling from steadicam, and again, personally, never got used to it.

But then, I know of many operators having one and being happy with it, so, hope you'll enjoy it.

Let us know

Best

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If you're looking for somebody who knows EVERYTHING about the AR, I'd suggest you get in touch with Reinhard Steiner. He's Swiss, and knows about as much about the AR as anybody on the planet.

 

I'm looking to move to Switzerland in a few years (once I can upgrade my B permit to a C permit) and he's been really helpful getting me prepared for the market.

 

You can get in contact with him via his website, ar-operator.com.

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I personally know one operator in India who just bought the AR and feels he made the biggest mistake of his life. No one wants to pay extra for it, and unless there is a very specific shot for it (that cannot be executed with a Technocrane or Jib on Dolly, they are unlikely to request it. There are also many new things to get used to, and personally, anything that gets the payload and the strain on your body up is never going to be appealing - to me at least.

 

To speak to independent operators who work with the AR would be a good move, as you would get the pro's and cons of the system. Both Job Scholtze and Thomas English (on this forum) operate the AR. Maybe PM them and see if you can get them to give you some advice.

 

As Fabrizio says, maybe get a workshop with Howard.

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Best piece of advice I can give you is make sure that all of your cables are seated properly before you fire it up. If one is out slightly the system can "freak out" and spin wildly tearing all of your cables up and then you've had it.

Work out ways when you get a camera package of getting as much of the weight to the bottom of the sled. The less weight at the top the more reach you'll have. Which obviously is the point of the rig.

I've found also that longer bars at the bottom adds stability mid transition where your headroom is most at risk.

Oh... and utilise the holes in the rings for mounting bars etc. which can then mount FIZ recievers etc. Carry plenty of dogbones and spare lengths of rod, both hollow and threaded. They will save you ass more often than I care to remember.

My .02

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Ramon Engle also ops one... he used it everyday from what I understand on Good Eats... but i think his saving grave was that the Producer/Actor is also a DP... so he knew what the rig is capable of giving him for his show. Not to mention Ramon is use to running around swing a stick in the air (Lacrosse.)

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Well my AR works great. That being said it works great when people want to pay for it. It is more strain on your back for sure. Much heavier and bulkier. It's not a everyday tool you want to use. I've done killer shots with it. Like I've said before I use my PRO II sled for all steadicam only shots and the AR for requested specific things on features I've done. Tons of lisigav needed at the end of everyday use.

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