Steadicam Workshop vs SOA Workshop?

[jay kilroy]

I'm a little late to the party here, but felt I needed to jump in on this topic. I am the President of the SOA and run the workshops that we conduct. I run every aspect of the workshop, renting the space, hiring the instructors and helpers and getting the gear to use. I do not own a Tiffen steadicam, the right fit for me was an MK-V, that's what I operate. I like Tiffen products, I like PRO, I like MK-V. There are great things about all of the different products out there. What we stress at our workshops is the elements of what you can learn and practice to become an operator. The SOA workshop is 5 1/2 days of steadicam practice. We bring in operators from all over the world, some of them use Tiffen products, some use MK-V, some use PRO, some even have frakenrigs. Honestly, besides the fact that Garrett and Jerry are SHARING their knowledge, the best thing about our workshop is all of the different viewpoints the students are exposed to. I feel pretty confident that students leave our workshop with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about all aspects of operating and what will work for them.

 

I work really hard on making the SOA workshop a great learning experience for everyone who comes there. Frankly, I'm insulted that a seasoned and professional operator like Eric Flecther would reduce my hard work to, "Translation, this is a concentrated sales event and we don't want you to see the benefits of the competitors rigs." and that others would "like" his comment. Do some good in this industry Eric, you have a wealth of knowledge that many people could learn from. Instead, you throw out insults, bash people who do not think like you and offer nothing useful to our craft. 30 some years ago Garrett could have done the same thing, bash dollies, insult other ways of moving the camera but he didn't, he shared it with anyone who wanted to learn and copy what he did. Thank god he did, or I wouldn't have a job and neither would you or any other operator of Tiffen, MK-V, PRO or even Glidecam. Do us all a favor and offer up something more than just a mean spirited opinion, do some good for your craft.

[Alan Rencher]

For anyone looking to get a good side-by-side comparison of different brands, you may want to head out to LA for Cinegear & the Stabilizer Expo. They both take place around the same time. I know both Pro and Tiffen, among others, bring rigs to try on.

[Erwin Landau]

Good deal yall. I havent had the fortune of trying out anything but Tiffen products, so I welcome the chance to try out the PRO system, but I havent found any information on upcoming workshops. I spose I should just contact them through their website, but does anyone know exactly who I should be in touch with?

 

I also suppose that one of the best ways of tryin out the different rigs is to just make an appointment and go to the workshops to try them out, right?

 

Ive been operating for a few years, but Ive been using the Archer-2 owned by the company at which I work. Ill be starting my freelancing career in the next week or so, and I am looking to have my own rig. I think that Ken's list is a great way to approach this.

 

I'm in to any and all suggestions yall have about testing rigs, asking questions etc.

 

have a rad one!

 

brett.

 

 

Hi Brett,

 

The beauty about our craft is that you basically can pick up a phone and call anyone on the forum or in our little community. I have yet to encounter a person that does not like to talk about there job, experience or gear.

Nobody can tell you what you will like or dislike about a certain piece of gear... it will and should be your own decision. After all it's your hard earn cash that you will spend and nothing is more painful then regret...

 

I would do a basic workshop like the week long Arrowhead or the like... After you ran around for an entire week with the steadi on, you will start to develop likings and dislikings to certain pieces of gear or ergonomics, etc.

 

After that workshop and when you really think that that's what you want to do is, talk to operators in your area and see what they have and why. After that start contacting manufacturers and make appointments with them to come by, meet the staff and try flying there equipment. Trust me a roundtrip ticket is cheaper then a full set up that after 6 months you wished you never bought.

 

At that point you will have familiarized yourself with the Tiffen gear then contact the guys at (in no particular order) like GPI, or XCS or Bear Bel, Betz, Sachtler, Klassen FX, etc. at that point you will start to know what you like or dislike. None of them will refuse you if you make an appointment to check it out... some might even send you a loaner out to check it in the field...

 

It's like test driving a car... sometimes you immediately know once you saw it, or sat in it or talked to the sales people if you like it or not...

 

Use the advantage that we are a chatty bunch and talk about gear... preferably off forum as it's less polarized and face to face, or ear to ear, you don't need to use smilies to know if somebody is joking or not.

 

Just my 2 cents...

 

Good Luck,

 

Erwin

[Robert Starling SOC]

I've taken three Tiffen workshops, the SOA workshop, a PRO Masters workshop and have assisted at several of the Tiffen workshops. They were all great experiences and well run organized events. The more eyes you have on you the better off you will be and the quicker you'll eliminate bad habits. The camaraderie amongst the students and teachers in the large classes is where the magic of that experience happens.

 

Is there an underlying sales effort at the Tiffen sponsored workshops? Absolutely! It's subtle but it's there. Otherwise, the company would not provide rigs, shipping, teaching staff, sales staff and organizational registration support. Is that a bad thing? Not really. If you're identified to be a qualified prospect; someone with the dream AND the ability to afford a rig you get a lot of attention from the sales side. Is that a bad thing? That's for you to decide. Either way, you still get a good week of instruction and a great experience.

 

The biggest disservice I did to myself early on was failing to properly look and research outside the Tiffen brand at other brands. Consequently, I ended up buying three brand new Tiffen rigs in EIGHT MONTHS. Was that a bad thing? Financially yes, it was fairly stupid to say the least. In terms of support and education though I benefited from the relationship and support from my friends at Tiffen. Was that a good thing? Yes it was! I would not have progressed as rapidly without their support. A special tip of the hat goes to my beloved friend and fellow operator Peter Abraham who sold me my first rig during his tenure with them and gave more support and encouragement than can ever be repaid.

 

When I started The Stabilizer Workshops my goal was to create a smaller more personalized experience that welcomes and openly discusses ALL BRANDS based on their own merits using real cameras and full professional level accessories; the same thing you would fly on a commercial, feature, episodic or live event. I have no gear to sell you and with a maximum ratio of two students per instructor (usually 1:1) we have more rig time and more time to delve into AKS and also "How to get in the business and stay in the business". You can always rent or borrow gear but you can't rent or borrow clients. Some students prefer a more personalized experience. Does this mean the workshops I teach are the end all be all? Not at all! Learning is a lifelong adventure.

 

As I mentioned earlier, the more experienced eyes you have on you the quicker you'll improve and come up to speed. I highly recommend everyone take a variety of workshops as there's something new to learn at every one of them. I did that and am a better operator for it.

 

What I can't stress enough is that it is CRITICAL that before buying any rig, you step back, seek the counsel and support of more experienced operators and look at ALL the different brands. My failure to do that cost me about $60k or more. You should also make an honest evaluation with their help as to where you are in the business and where you can realistically expect to be over a period of time based on your experience in the business and your potential client / competitor base in the market you will work in. I can't count the number of people I've seen at workshops who buy a rig without any clue or business plan only to see them selling it on the forum at a huge loss later on.

 

Don't let that next person be you!

 

Robert

[Quaid Cde Baca]

when is the next Malibu Steadicam workshop this year 2013? I only see most smaller workshops now

[Sanjay Sami]

hey yall

 

i have been looking at both the SOA workshop in Pennsylvania and the Steadicam workshop in Lake Arrowhead.

Are there really any differences in the instruction, rigs, time with rigs, instructors, operators nights...anything?

 

Just wondering if anyone has attended both or either and can give their two cents. Im planning on going to the Steadicam workshop in March, but Garret Browns video on the SOA page makes me think I should go to Pennsylvania.

 

I figure either is gunna be great. I just wonder if theres one or the other is more highly reputable or recommended

 

Anyways, yalls thought are always appreciated. Have a rad one!

 

brett.

 

I think both those workshops will be great.

Look for who your instructors will be.

I think having Garrett and Jerry as your instructors is hard to beat. Shame Peter Abraham doesnt teach any longer ... but the one in Philadelphia sometimes has Larry McConkey as an instructor ... which would be a hell of a bonus.

The rigs are just equipment ... you can go to a trade show and see the length and breadth of what is available and try them all on.

You can compare rigs against each other at the same venue.

What you should look at for the workshops is who is going to be doing the teaching ... don't think I could explain it better than Peter did some posts back.