Bye-bye Hollywood Lite

[JimBartell]

I was informed at the Tiffen Grand Opening last night that Hollywood Lite, the company started by ex-CPC employees Ned Steeves, Gary Tull and Don Holst, has gone belly up. Apparently they have sold out their product line of low cost light weight stabilizers to the VariZoom people.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of this in the near future. The low end of the market has gotten so overcrowded with manufacturers that something has got to give.

 

Jim "still here" Bartell

[Charles King]

May I ask why are you so happy about low cost stabilizers going out of buisness? <_< Would you rather see the end of these stabilizer suppliments gone for good? I'm curious because most steadicam (or other non-steadicam hi-end owners) are a little on the eccentric side when it comes to topics like this.

 

It's unfortunate they hade to sell out due to stiff compitition, as I understand, but that just gives more room for more competitors. In a way, this migt be good for the low-end folks out there who are interested in dabbling in this stabilization adventure, but the folks who can afford it like yourself(naturally operators) cannot be stuck up about issues like this. Sure, if everyone could afford it, I'm 100% sure they will buy a steadicam or a pro rig or some other high-end gear.But that's not the case.

 

I know there are some other really really low-end stabilizers that don't even eed to be in the game. But eh, that's free trade isn't it?

 

Don't worry, I am not starting a fued just trying to understand your reasoning in saying what you just said. If I mis-understood you, then I retract my statement and humbly apologies. :rolleyes:

[Brad Grimmett]

Well, Jim's not an operator, nor is he stuck up. I think he was just posting some news he heard to help inform the other members of this forum.

[nealnorton]

Charles:

 

I had to re-read Jims post just to see where you might infer that he was happy about the situation. I think you too should give it a re-read.

 

I can't find ANYTHING to indicate Jim is happy, sad or anything else about the sale of this company. He is just making an observation about the facts.

 

100 percent of the steadicam operators I have met seem to love gadgets, off beat devices and interesting new approaches to the steadicam world - and low cost is much better than high cost.

 

Jim may well be "stuck-up" (I don't know Jim personally) but I sure can't see where you would be able to figure that out from his simple post. :D

 

Also, doesn't Jim Bartell know something about providing low cost options to steadicam dabblers himself?

 

regards,

 

Neal Norton

[mattmarek]

i don't think jim was mocking them. hollywood lite obviously marketed a sub-par producet. if they didn't, they wouldn't have sold out. they were one of many companies trying to make an expensive product on the cheap. am i sorry they're gone? nope.

[Charles King]

Well, if this is true, like I said, I do apologies and retract my statement :rolleyes: . His comment would definately be taken to have a negative remark.

 

they were one of many companies trying to make an expensive product on the cheap

 

So what would you consider a bargain stabilizer product then?

[Mitch Gross]

So what would you consider a bargain stabilizer product then?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think the new Tiffen Flyer might fit that bill. Financially, where does one peg the dollar amount for "bargain" stabilizers?

 

By the way, Hollywood Lite the COMPANY is gone, but not their products. Varizoom bought out the product line and continues to sell it.

[Charles King]

I think the new Tiffen Flyer might fit that bill.

 

Okay, I too like the flyer but then we are back to where we started in the first place. Not everyone has over $6000 lying around. <_<

 

where does one peg the dollar amount for "bargain" stabilizers?

 

Good point. From my point of view, it all depends on the buyer. If he has a choice than he alone can determine what is a bargain stabilizer and that's why he needs the abilitry to choose from the wide variety, even if some manufacturers are not always perfect. Do you see my point? ;)

 

Any way thanks again.

Edited December 11, 2004 by Charles

[JobScholtze]

I think the new Tiffen Flyer might fit that bill.

 

 

But don't like the service. :angry:

[JimBartell]

May I ask why are you so happy about low cost stabilizers going out of business?  <_< Would you rather see the end of these stabilizer suppliments gone for good? I'm curious because most steadicam (or other non-steadicam hi-end owners) are a little on the eccentric side when it comes to topics like this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I really am having a hard time determining exactly where in my post I appeared to be expressing any feelings one way or the other. Perhaps the flippant tone in the title. My bad. As a manufacturer of lower priced accessories it is obviously in my favor for as many manufacturer's as possible to sell lots and lots of units to create a market for my product. I believe every man, woman and child around the world needs one (and an accompanying BFD, of course). B)

 

Seriously, all I was trying to do was make an observation. It seems that since the patent protection expired on the original Steadicam that manufacturers have been springing up like crazy, far in excess of what the marketplace could support. Hollywood Lite's demise seemed to be something that was long in coming and is only the beginning. At least that's my prediction. This exact situation occurred in the automobile market here in the US. At one time there were 40+ domestic car manufacturers. Now there are three.

 

Jim "techno seer" Bartell

[bobgilles]

Jim, do you sell a mounting bracket for the BFD to fit on a Steadicam Flyer?

[Thomas English]

my first rig was a hollywood lite... made some money... bought a bigger rig.........

 

what this sale does mean is all the varizoom adds you see everywere will be selling cheap "steadicams". giving certain people a false idea as to how much we spent on our rigs and so they ll hassle us on price more.

[JimBartell]

Jim, do you sell a mounting bracket for the BFD to fit on a Steadicam Flyer?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hi Bob,

 

I don't believe there is any place on a Flyer stage to attach a bracket. However, we do sell a bracket to attach the receiver to the camera matte box rods.

 

Jim "in the bracket racket" Bartell

[Charles King]

Thanks for clearing things up Jim :) The others had already pointed that out to me. :P

...and as my post stated earlier I retract what I said if it was a misunderstanding for which it was... :rolleyes:

[LeighWanstead]

I also want to join the party by offering inexpensive stablizer. :) I know it is hard.