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New Fawcett/Tiffen exoskeleton vest


Fabrizio Sciarra SOC ACO

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Brian-

 

points taken, but i think you'll see that the increased boom range can be very effective - imagine in low mode going from the knees to eye height, reducing the need for radical tilts... How often have you ridden a dolly to extend your boom range?

 

And I've always thought that if you can't deliver a solution, the director won't ask for it, or at least he won't ask for it twice.

 

Regardless, I'm sure the third arm link could be easily attached to Walter's back mount vest - you've have to make a block or a bracket, but the arm link is pretty straightforward at that end.

 

Back to the Fawcett Exovest... it's very comfortable, and because of the pivots, your walking doesn't disturb the socket block nor lift it with each step - it makes for less work. No pressure on your bladder (it's not designed as a weight bearing structure!)- and it weighs about 8 pounds!

 

Jerry

 

pivoting hips = happy operating :)

 

can't wait to try it out (will it work inverted for those of us "down undah"?)

 

Ian

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I see the arm section as another tool a few operators might add to their bag, like the AR. There are specific times it could help, but as a whole I think the last decade shows us that we can try radical new things with the steadicam (the AR, the Tango, this..), but we always end up coming back to the basics.

 

Now this vest is something I'm excited for. Bravo Chris, between this and the steadiseg, you've forever improved our industry. I look forward to what you do next!

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I tried the new vest first thing this morning but only had < 10 minutes before I had to get back to the Angenieux booth.

 

It's very lightweight but does require some time for a proper fit; Chris did the best he could to fit me so I could give it a test flight. It does indeed do some very interesting things, especially the distribution of load / pressure against the center of your back when you extend the rig; it was very solid in that aspect. I hope to get back to the booth again this week and test it again with a proper fitting.

 

Keep in mind, these are just three prototypes and it is not in full production yet; they'll learn a lot this week getting so many bodies into it and getting feedback. The true test is ultimately getting any product from the prototype stage and into production but Tiffen has been doing this stuff a long time and they know the drill there.

 

Congrats Chris and crew!

 

Robert

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pivoting hips = happy operating :)

 

can't wait to try it out (will it work inverted for those of us "down undah"?)

 

Ian

 

The concept behind the pivots seems especially helpful during slow moves. Jerry - would you say there is much of a difference?

 

I'm excited to see it in action.

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Actually, I think it helps my operating more in regular and faster moves - but I think I have a very stable slow walk. I think.

 

But it clearly reduces the strain at any speed.

 

I'd love to see a side by side video of my operating with and without it - I know it is easier walking slowly.

 

The cool thing - and I felt this with the various prototypes as it was developed - is that the weight and torque of the sled were resisted and held by the right parts of the body and the Steadicam sat better on my body - sort of like going almost to the rest position. Secure without too much tightness or pressure anywhere, real freedom to raise one's arms, but the same sort of control over the socket block that one has with a traditional front-mount vest.

 

And we were able to keep the quick regular to goofy switch, really easy adjustments for various operator sizes (especially the shoulders!), and the quick release - really giving up nothing but a bit of weight.

 

Chris brought tremendous insight and energy to this project...my hat is off to him for all his hard work.

 

I think everyone should give this vest a try.

 

Jerry

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Hi all,

 

Really excited to try the new vest! And if anyone could get some more photos up of the third arm section (demonstating it's improved reach/height) we'd all love to see them!

 

Not to play devils advocate here, but does the Exovest accommodate those operators who, let's say, aren't quite as trim as the lithe mr Fawcett? With the reduced profile of the rods at the front particularly compared to traditional or 'old-style' (henceforth!) vests, I can imagine operators with erm, success pouches might find them less comfortable. Any thoughts from you lucky chaps who have tried it?

 

And while I'm asking - any idea if the third arm section & Exovest ideas are planned to be spread accross the existing line of rigs? Ie, will there be say Pilot/Scout/Flyer extra sections & vests available? What with the new Blackmagic camera, Scarlet, C300 etc. cameras are only getting smaller yet covering wider ranges of clients needs. As I'm sure you would all agree it does far more justice to our operating to fly bigger rigs, but I think it is time to realise even cinema cameras are getting that much smaller & lighter, & it would be great to have these new innovations available on the smaller rigs too.

 

One nore quickly! Arms - The idea seems to be to accommodate any arm by docking it into the new section (can it be front mounted - is that's even a good idea?), but will those of us who don't have G-series arms be missing out? If I plugged a Master or (dare I say!) a Pro arm into it would the effect be the same, given the different ways G arms behave, on which the new section is clearly based? Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

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John-

 

The Exovest fits essentially everyone and is comfortable. We've had it on very large ops and very small ones, skinny ops, not skinny ops. By design, it doesn't put any serious weight into the soft tissue of your gut or chest. It is very, very kind to women operators.

 

If an op is especially large or small, short or tall, or any combination, it's very easy (and inexpensive) to swap out some plastic parts (you'll need a an Allen wrench), or possibly four tubes (if you are over 6' 6" you will fit the current vest, but you might like longer tubes).

 

The third arm section/extension will work with any "regular" two section arm. It will not work front mounted. I should say I suppose it's possible, but I don't think the way the arm is angled would make it practical.

 

The G-arm's behavior is operator controlled, so the 3rd section can be tuned to work with any other arm.

 

Jerry

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I tried the vest yesterday . . . . right along next to Erick Fletcher and we both know how different in size the two of us are and we both concurred that the vest is very interesting , unique and Good!

 

I tried it on with the third arm back mounted with an underslung camera and seriously from putting the camera and inch from the floor to above where my arms didn't reach anymore it was crazy but more importantly the vest was breathable and put the pressure between the scapula like a WK and then I flew it front mounted and it still felt the same. Cool pivot points that where very disconcerting at first but then just kind of made sense.

 

For sure there's still some tweaks that the boys are going make but overall

 

Hit out of the park Chris

 

In My humble opinion

 

Congrats

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I think it is a little early for a price on either item, but I think (just me, mind you) they will be available separately, individually...

 

I'm already working through some tweaks at home in Solidworks while Chris and Garrett and the gang are demoing and gathering data...

 

We all want this available ASAP, and it needs testing after the tweaks.

 

Jerry

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Thanks Jerry, I can't wait to try out the new combo when it all gets back to Britain. When that happens Robin do give me a call & I'll gladly take some promo photos in exchange for a demo!

 

Out of interst, what does Garrett think? Any more memorable or amusing quotes?!

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I flew the new vest. I'm sure it will come down to preference, but I know I like the my PRO vest and even the Tiffen vests that latched in 3 places. Wearing the new vest, I didn't have any revelation, as though it was something I needed and made all the difference, but some people might? Give it a fly, see for yourself!

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