Moderators Janice Arthur Posted May 14, 2011 Moderators Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 Dean; I'm sure you're a nice guy etc. I have a couple of points. 1) You're in the mecca of Steadicam gear and you seem unknowledgeable about what's avail and who has what used gear and what's a good deal. Call up these guys, talk to them etc. Do you have any Steadicam buddies you can talk to? You live in LA, there are ops on every street. 2) You keep saying "If you know of any deals. . . " This is your baby, you find them. 3) 20k may or may not be enough, up to you. Go ahead and buy the glidecam thing, its fast to buy, you really like the Sales guy. 4) Loosing jobs while you wait? Maybe, Maybe not. We've all thrown out 150 years worth of advice the rest is up to you. JA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dean Smollar Posted May 14, 2011 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 Great points Janice! Don't have a choice with the money - it's all I've got to work with. I'll take everything that everyone has said and go with it from here on my own! Scott Coleman is a great guy and a great operator. I'm also acquainted with David Shawl, Will Demeritt, Brian Freesh and a few other guys out here. Everyone has their own unique opinion, and I just wanted to gather as many opinions as I could. Like I've seen on this forum so many times, "Work smarter, not harder." You guys have been awesome! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brian Freesh Posted May 14, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 I am absolutely, 100% certain about being a Steadicam Operator. I want to be able to handle any type of job that comes my way, be it digital or film. You already are a Steadicam Operator, my mention about goals was for you to decide where you want to go with that. You could buy a Steadicam Merlin or Glidecam 2000 and be a Steadicam Operator. Your goal needs to be much more specific, especially since you've already reached the main goal you mentioned. As to the goal of handling any type of job, the purchase you describe will not accomplish that, as Eric rightly said. And just to be clear, I wasn't asking for your goals. I just want you to know what they are so that you can better decide how to achieve them. You seem to already know that, as Eric advises all the time, you should not let your gear limit your work. That's good. Everything you've said in this thread, and your actions of looking in the marketplace, supports that you care and want to do what is best. Intentionally or not, you have come across as somewhat defensive and argumentative, own up to that. Instead of giving an opposing point to the great advice, accept it for what it is and figure out how to make it work within your limitations. If the answer from all of us was: you need to spend $40,000, I hope you would simply say thank you. In those regards, you are not limited to $20,000, you're limited to that if you buy today. There are ways to get more funding, not the least of which is saving more money over time (easier said than accepted, trust me I know). Rather than opposing the opinions and asking for better answers, I suggest taking all those opinions you are getting and see how it works for you. Like I said, do what's best for you. Maybe your original solution is the best for you. Maybe it's not. You have lots of options open to you, $20,000 is a lot of money to play with. One thing you can be sure of is that it will not buy you a complete kit that will reach your second mentioned goal of handling any type of job. Whether you spend all or some of that money now, or wait for more, you need more to purchase the kit you want. That's a limitation you have to work with. It's a good thing in a way. Knowing your limitations narrows your solutions, which in many ways makes it easier to make a decision. I was in a similar situation about a year ago that resolved itself in an unexpected way. Before that resolution I had a plan that I'd be happy to discuss with you as it may be right up your alley. It may not depending on how your goals differ from mine, but at the very least it's another perspective to help you along the way. You should definitely go to the stabilizer expo and talk to as many operators there and before and after as you can. You're on the right track, keep looking forward and you'll do fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members William Demeritt Posted May 14, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 I'm also acquainted with ... Will Demeritt ... I've been trying to sell him on the L'aigle for quite some time now. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dean Smollar Posted May 14, 2011 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 To everyone, Regarding Brian's post: I'm sorry for coming off as hostile and defensive to your advice. You guys are awesome, and I'm sorry for behaving the way I did. I really do appreciate everything you've told me, and I'm taking it all to heart as I make my decisions. I projected my insecurities about this decision onto all of you, and that was a huge mistake. Brian, I'd love to talk more about your plan. Hit me up on Facebook. Also, do y'all still do the thursday meetups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas K. Jensen Posted May 14, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 No, my current vest does not have a standard socket block. hey Dean. If you want to save some money, and your'e happy with your vest, you could buy a standard socket block from either Tiffen or from Baer-bel.de - they cost 300€ and then you only have to drill holes in your vests socket plate... Good gear-hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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