Premium Members JimBartell Posted August 1, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 Inspired by Janice Arthur's new rule of thumb of judging a camera's suitability for use with a particular Steadicam on the basis of price, I was reminded of a rule of thumb I heard a while back that has worked out almost exactly every time I have checked it. If you want to know the exchange rate of currency in a foreign country, find a store selling Pringles potato chips, or "crisps" for our British friends (they are available damn near everywhere). Find the price, divide it by 2 and you have the equivalent amount to $1 USD, because a can of Pringles sells for the equivalent of $2 worldwide. Try it next time you are in another country. Or if you are already in one, check it out. Any other handy "rules of thumb" you know? Jim Bartell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted August 1, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 I use a similar formula when tipping hookers whilst abroad. I take the price of pringles, multiply by how many stab wounds on the afore mentioned lady of ill-repute, then divide by how many posts there are about attempting to cram 20 lbs of sh*t into a 10 lb bucket (ie Red on a Pilot) at that particular moment. Worked well for me so far because there is so much discussion about silly stuff! Keep it coming guys! RB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members William Demeritt Posted August 1, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 You both have much to teach us. Can someone teach me how to convince fellow operators that they're not making any friends, nor growing their business, by working with the philosophy of "well, someone is going to take the $200/day gigs, so why shouldn't it be me?" or "sure, 4 other operators passed on this recurring gig because they did it once and the rate was too low, but it's just fine by me! Suckers!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Sydney Seeber Posted August 1, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 If you want to know the exchange rate of currency in a foreign country, find a store selling Pringles potato chips, or "crisps" for our British friends (they are available damn near everywhere). Find the price, divide it by 2 and you have the equivalent amount to $1 USD, because a can of Pringles sells for the equivalent of $2 worldwide. In all seriousness, my gauge is the McDonald's menu. I have been EVERYwhere on the planet and am pretty sure so has McDonald's. Specifically I use their menu item #1 which for a very long time has been the Big Mac meal. What's fun is checking the menu in Kuwait and everything is 1.something, until you find out a Kuwaiti Dinar is worth nearly $4. This, after you withdrew 250 Dinar from the ATM for incidentals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Janice Arthur Posted August 1, 2011 Moderators Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 Ok here is my newest one. If you are an operator with 5 years or less experience you cannot operate on any job within 2 weeks of having alcohol. Your skills must be clear of alcohol to improve your skills. All those who are unwilling to fulfill this requirement must sell their rigs. JA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted August 1, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 Ok here is my newest one. If you are an operator with 5 years or less experience you cannot operate on any job within 2 weeks of having alcohol. Your skills must be clear of alcohol to improve your skills. All those who are unwilling to fulfill this requirement must sell their rigs. JA this explains the glut of rigs for sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Janice Arthur Posted August 1, 2011 Moderators Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 Baldwin; (This is all part of my evil plan to thin the herd.) J. Christ there are more Steadicams than ACs by my count. We've got to fall on those "every-man" addictions and guilt. JA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted August 1, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 Over 10 years of experience: only drunks need apply. This explains why Baldwin is in such high demand. And Fletcher recently made it apparent to me why he has had a consistent stream of episodic work for the last few years--the gadget-hunting mentality has now been replaced by finding new and stealthier ways to get loaded on set. Something about scotch-filled chocolate balls. This coming from a guy who is gearing up to produce a series of whiskey education videos, so you can see where my head is at. While we are on the subject of monetary yardsticks, many years ago Dave Chameides and I developed a unit of currency when it came to Steadicam gear: a standard power or run cable, generally $175. "That upgrade is like 10 cables, ouch. But that bracket is only 4 cables. Not bad". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted August 1, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 US Rule of Thumb: You see a guy in socks and sandal, he's going to have a foreign accent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Janice Arthur Posted August 2, 2011 Moderators Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Rule of Thumb; Jim Bartell shows up for on-set service quicker at lunchtime. JA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JimBartell Posted August 2, 2011 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Rule of Thumb; Jim Bartell shows up for on-set service quicker at lunchtime. JA Everybody already knows that one. It's gotten a little embarrassing. Every time someone asks me to visit a set they begin with "Well, lunch is at X so you'll want to get here just before then...". Damn it Baldwin stop tipping everyone! This shit's gotten completely out of hand. Pretty soon we'll have to tip the spooge mop guy at the at the adult bookstore. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alfeo Dixon SOC Posted August 2, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 ....until you find out a Kuwaiti Dinar is worth nearly $4. This, after you withdrew 250 Dinar from the ATM for incidentals. You could always go find "Friends" of Baldwin where your 4:1 is 4 times the fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RonBaldwin Posted August 2, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Damn it Baldwin stop tipping everyone! This shit's gotten completely out of hand. Pretty soon we'll have to tip the spooge mop guy at the at the adult bookstore. hey -- don't knock the mop guy at the local jack booth, mopping is about all I am qualified to do once I hang up my spurs unless I can somehow make a living insulting people. just the Pedro -- Vote for Tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelso kubat Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 don't eat cheese before noon.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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