Parables for Steadicam

[Mike McGowan SOC]

^^ I actually have some spec op friends (a seal and a ranger). Both of them have put my rig on and neither wanted to wear it for more than a few minutes. Both of them thought it was insanely difficult. Obviously if they had the vest fit properly and were trained in how to wear the rig and had some time in the saddle, they both had potential to be good at it but both agreed it is a very difficult job.

 

That being said, once you learn to wear it and you learn the basics of framing, the art of operating is the life time challenge. I've had more than one old school, ASC camera man tell me that they were good at lighting but would never be great or never be satisfied that they had 'mastered' the craft.

 

I also think that possibly the biggest challenge in operating, particularly steadicam, is managing the set. Making a shot and a crew work together with lights and actors and directors and various equipment and personalities seems to be the thing that really taxes me the most.

 

My 1.5 cents...

[RonBaldwin]

 

...I also think that possibly the biggest challenge in operating, particularly steadicam, is managing the set. Making a shot and a crew work together with lights and actors and directors and various equipment and personalities seems to be the thing that really taxes me the most.

 

My 1.5 cents...

 

my biggest challenge is keeping my flip flops on!

 

It is a hard job, but like any job, needs time invested to be better than average and in demand. If it was brain surgery none of us would be doing it -- obviously because we are all morons for loving what we do sooooo much that we would do it for free and put up with the bad hours, huge egos, potential bodily harm and fried food at crafty.

 

rb

[Sanjay Sami]

I'd also flip flop the analogy. I can teach any athletic 18 year old how to run around with a rig, it's the learning to operate that takes a life time.

 

 

You are right Mike, forget the farting lawn-mowing unicorn analogy!

 

 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha !!! That guy is my new hero ! Have not been that wasted since .... tuesday ?

[Brian Freesh]

Ron, you get FRIED FOOD at crafty!!!!

 

I quit.

[Janice Arthur]

Hi all;

 

I agree with Afton on this.

 

We practice when and if we want to. We set our own standards; we have our own schedules; we takes jobs by our choice; we don't work with the public like a retail worker does; etc.

 

Sure its hard at the highest levels but at other levels not so hard that it can't be taught in a weekend and by reading a book.

(Learning/mastery continues after sure.)

 

All those professionals that Afton mentioned have my respect in bunches for their dedication and hard work. It, most of the time, makes us look like kids playing. I, have in fact, toned down my ego in the last decade, because at that very party he talks about you have no idea to whom you're boasting and you end up the idiot.

 

 

JA

[Lars Erik]

Even though I agree with Janice and Afton to some point, I still think we have a hard job.

 

I don't boast about it. Everytime I get on set, I get the rig up where there's the least amount of crew. It's just a trade that can be learnt.

 

But I find it hard. And when I see operators who's done great job, I give them my respect. Cause I know it must have been a difficult shot.

 

Personally I usually never care for what people do for a living. Way too much focus on that issue in this world. I tend to look at what kind of person they are. That is what's important.

[Tim Fabrizio]

I usually say it's like playing the tuba in the marching band. It's the same idea as the hockey analogy. You've got to know how to play the instrument before you can add any choreography to it. But then again, also add learning calligraphy with your left hand.

More like playing the piano in a marching band...

 

 

Now THAT is funny. Bravo. I wish I had thought of that.

[Peter Abraham]

Lars Erik, nicely said.

 

When I was Operating full-time, I knew enough to never get into the car after wrap feeling as though I'd nailed every shot. Humility is one misstep away, one split-second of framing that isn't just exactly what the story needed at that moment, one tiny angle of tilt or pan too little or two much.

 

It's what kept Operating endlessly interesting and engaging. You are either in the moment 100% of the time, or you really have no business being on that set.

 

It's that 100% engagement that shows through in so many posts on this message board.

 

Peter Abraham

Dir. of Technical Services, Steadicam™

The Tiffen Company

 

26 years as an Operator.

[Tommy Stork]

I usually use the old baseball bat and farting unicorn with a lawnmower analogy. Works everytime. I think it was in an old Steadicam Letter.

 

 

Ahhh, I used to love it when my mom would tell me about the little farting unicorn that could. I also like the hockey analogy though, too. It would be better if the hockey player had gas.

[William Demeritt]

Ahhh, I used to love it when my mom would tell me about the little farting unicorn that could. I also like the hockey analogy though, too. It would be better if the hockey player had gas.

 

Never met a hockey player that didn't have gas...

[Brant S. Fagan SOC]

Well, a neighbor compared what I (we) do to the job description of a plumber: Do it right and most won't notice, but screw it up and you're covered with $h_t!

 

I agree with the humility aspect! One little step, one little tilt or pan, and it's just not right. I think we can always do better but it's the journey that makes whole.

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

Brant, is that a sculpture by Botero behind the rig, if it's a real one, one small pan or bump into that and......All hell would break loose!

[Katerina Kallergis]

I'd also flip flop the analogy. I can teach any athletic 18 year old how to run around with a rig, it's the learning to operate that takes a life time.

 

 

You are right Mike, forget the farting lawn-mowing unicorn analogy!

 

 

 

HA! And some how he still knew his left foot from his right foot!

[Peter Abraham]

More an aphorism than a parable...

 

It's not the time it takes

to take the takes.

It's the time it takes between the takes to take the takes.

[William Demeritt]

More an aphorism than a parable...

 

It's not the time it takes

to take the takes.

It's the time it takes between the takes to take the takes.

 

Very true. A thought I like to share with eager beaver directors who always want to "shoot the rehearsal" is: "Rehearsals aren't just for the actors! They've had the script for weeks, maybe months? Boom op doesn't know how this plays out, guy responsible for focus doesn't know, background and fx don't know, and me, the guy wearing a 70lbs camera doesn't know. So for the sake of all of us, let's at least do a blocking rehearsal, preferably a stop-and-go rehearsal, and THEN let's shoot."