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Brian Freesh

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I may regret posting but here we go... its an unusual setup but its interesting...

 

 

Sitting here watching the superbowl, like ya do, and I've had a few glimpse's of the steadicam op...

 

Anyone know what's going on on top of that camera? There is gear stacked as tall as the camera ON TOP of the camera! And all in the back. The only advantage I can think of is shoulder clearance with the stuff not mounted behind the camera. Though I suppose there might be piece of mind not having a microwave transmitter directly next to your head, also better signal I suppose...

 

Just never seen a set up like that, even when watching other football games and superbowls. Props to the operator regardless, gotta be a tough show!

John Perry

 

 

 

I think I saw a photo of that rig on his facebook. I'm pretty sure he's there. But we'll find out soon enough.

 

[waves to John]

 

I do not have facebook, may of been a CP tech or someone in FOX.

some info:

 

Sony HDC P1 Box body style camera - RF

 

Backstory(as I know it):

AVS built the P1 with the Link system sometime last year... I first saw it on the 2nd game of the MNF doubleheader in KC September 2010 (although i thin it was used even before that on another ESPN show, maybe hand held or on sticks) ... MNF however, uses Thompson cameras. Half way through the 2010 season, we started using the Sony P1. At the same time Jeff Zachery and NBC were trying it(also by AVS) out as well. AVS also built one for DWTS on ABC.

 

Fox wants me to steadi the game, i suggest the P1. FOX asks CP creates a similar version to the AVS... that's what we used in the Super Bowl.

 

AVS created the "stacked" look, trying to keep the weight as close to center as possible. A custom bracket about 3-4" high is screwed to the dovetail, the camera is bolted to the top of the bracket.

(the bracket provides clearance for the handle/ zoom control and zoom cable...however, on NBC, i think Jeff took the bracket out of the mix and directly mounted the camera to the dovetail)

-CP is considering a redesign with moving the link system to the back of the camera via custom bracket like previous RF setups.

-The bracket is useful, but its just a matter of setup and a little trial and error to find what works long term.

 

The vibration in the shot is when Im on a full speed sprint. The rig arm snaps up and down pretty violently when I run as fast as I possibly can. In football, the window of time for celebration shots is pretty small, so the first goal is to get there before they turn away and walk/run up the sidelines to the bench. So, I keep a firm grip on the post and sprint hard and keep the right hand off for balance and speed... as i slow down the hand goes back on the handle... at absolute top speed (maybe its just me) you just cant keep your right hand on to absorb the bounce and snap from the arm. So, its a weight/arm issue not a mount/camera issue.

 

Because i noticed it in the regular season (P-1 is a much lighter setup that what we've used in the past on MNF) Ive switched arms from a Luna 20-70lb to the EFP Blue spring arm... Ive tried both and the EFP seems to have less "snap". Moving forward, I think the way to go is a G50 (ride adjustment might help with the) or the latest version from Pro... always open to suggestions on this...

 

 

Lots of good tech info here about the game:

 

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1313207

Looks to be just a transmitter and an idx batt on top of a camera I'm simply unfamiliar with.

 

Saw some vibrations in the image a couple times when the op (how many were there I saw at least 2) was running. Bummer.

 

Well done all ops!

 

read above

 

Seems to be the same guy who's done ESPN's monday night games for some time now (and i think thurs nights too)--its interesting how he almost never touches the zoom at all--leaving it superwide always, whereas other ops who do football tend to vary the lens length from time to time. I do love feeling that 4.5mm (2/3inch) view however, so I'm down with it. Always been interested in who this guy is--a name anyone? I'm pretty sure Tore Livia was doing some smooth moves during pregame concerts and maybe halftime. Always great looking work.

 

All correct Michael, I never zoom. Its intentional, i let the lens and my feet make the moves... MNF director likes to show off that we have a RF steadi so its head to toe and make a steadicam move... i like the look so thats how i do the games. Tore is a good dude.

 

 

Tore did Halftime. Jon Mantak did FOX Red Carpet. John Perry Fox Studio. James Lytle did NFL Net coverage(with the AVS P-1).

 

Hey great Job by Phil Jacques! Awesome work and a lot of tally lights! He was everywhere on that field! Really impressive hustle as well! Not easy working your way around all those players coming in and out of the sidelines! Especially at the end when Phil was out there surrounded by all the media! Phil has changed the way we look at football games now, and the Steadicam definitely complements the show tremendously!

 

Thanks Richie! It was my first SB, pretty cool.

 

Great job guys, I enjoyed catching glimpses of the ops here and there.

 

Anyone know if the guy holding a rig on the sideline was OK after getting rolled by a player during the game?

 

All the guys in Blue NFL vests were NFL Films guys, not sure which one tho. Pretty sure he was shooting eng video for Films. I hope hes ok.

 

Yes, that's me in the sky cam shot with the Yellow and Pink tape on the RF antenna next to Arron Rogers - getting my ass handed to me by the mob scene... hung in there for a while to get some of it then I just got swallowed up and couldn't move... dangerous but fun. The walk with Staubach & Players was fun too.

 

It was great meeting all the different operators from all over... everyone was super nice and supportive.

thanks for all the feedback, maybe ill update my profile... members can email me through the site.

 

 

 

-Phil Jacques

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Yes Old Friend you did a bang up job. And didn't pass out like I did in KC!

 

I had a problem with th e vibration using our Ultra rig at last years Summer X Games. I found that I had the moving part of the top stage adjusted wat too forward. Once I dialed it in better everything seemed to calm down.

 

Good to watch your shots.

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Wow! Good seeing you on here, Phil. You obviously did an awesome job. Best in the business. Hope all is well.

Anthony

 

Thanks Anthony, good to hear from you! Im sure you're still thriving in LA, see you this summer i bet...

 

Yes Old Friend you did a bang up job. And didn't pass out like I did in KC!

 

I had a problem with th e vibration using our Ultra rig at last years Summer X Games. I found that I had the moving part of the top stage adjusted wat too forward. Once I dialed it in better everything seemed to calm down.

 

Good to watch your shots.

 

Thanks E, it was more than fun. I got lucky a few times too.

 

BTW-Erik used the P-1 before me on the MNF KC game, it looked awesome... and the sony makes good rich colors...

He also is all things XGames.

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  • 5 months later...

Sorry to drudge up an old thread, but this has been an interesting read for me. Phil, very nice writeup on your experience with the P1 options out there. John, it's always good to see you doing what you do!

 

Yes, we at AVS were the first to offer the P1. It is a beautiful camera and weighs in at only 12 lbs. with camera/lens/transmitter. We started with just a couple and are now up to seven systems. At the rate we're going, we'll have to add more in the near future. We have been using them on on Monday Night Football (ESPN), Sunday Night Football (NBC), Thursday Night Football (NFL Channel), American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, The Academy Awards, and X Factor, just to name a few.

 

And as with everything in this industry, change is inevitable. Based on feedback that we received from several operators, we have recently introduced our new mounting system, which moves the transmitter to below the camera, and adds some carbon components to further eliminate weight.

 

_avs_a_p1-package-jp2_3000_web.jpg

 

Photo Gallery

 

While our P1 packages are getting rave reviews, we at AVS are always open to your input on how to improve them further. Please feel free to email or call me with your ideas.

 

Tim Sutton

tim@aerialvideo.com

Edited by Tim Sutton - AVS
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Tim,

Thank you for listening to us . . . . . finally, getting the transmitter below the camera makes all the sense.

 

Can we get the antenna extension attached to lower the antenna to just above the top of the camera ?

 

Can't tell you how many times I have seen the antenna go through a shot

 

Also, I want this new set up with the camera on top for my next RF gig on the Aug 9th !

 

Thanks again, also tell Craig thanks!

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Did I see this setup in X-Games coverage today? Looked very close.

 

Who's flying there? 2D setup, MK-V battery base was all i could see.

 

Does anyone know if there is a 3D steadi working?

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Thanks Tim,

 

Moving the weight of the transmitter lower with your new bracket also has allowed me to shorten my post, which is invaluable for running sideways on dance shows. I also like the new new rear mount battery plate, eliminating the need to put a battery on top, and adding a place for the digital return video receiver, thus keeping CG lower and keeping my post as short as possible. Here is a snapshot of my rig at So You Think You Can Dance.

 

Regarding antennas...Tim can correct me if i'm wrong but the frequency you transmit on dictates the length of the main antenna heighth. On dance, as you can see I run a really short antenna so I don't have a problem with antenna height. It's about as tall as the top of my prompter screen.

 

BTW, I just put this pictured sled up for sale in case anyone is interested. I will include some free tickets to the dance show with any purchase ;)

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Tim,

Thank you for listening to us . . . . . finally, getting the transmitter below the camera makes all the sense.

 

Can we get the antenna extension attached to lower the antenna to just above the top of the camera ?

 

Can't tell you how many times I have seen the antenna go through a shot

 

Also, I want this new set up with the camera on top for my next RF gig on the Aug 9th !

 

Thanks again, also tell Craig thanks!

 

Actually, we only use the "stubby" antennas on studio shows in tightly controlled environments. There are some advantages, but also some trade-offs. When we're outdoors with longer ranges, we use slightly longer antennas to ensure success.

 

Regarding your job on the 9th....give me a call. I'm sure we can hook you up!

Edited by Tim Sutton - AVS
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