New Steadicam purchase, what all do I need?

[cidion]

I'm sure there have been maky other threads talking about insurance. So forgive me if I ask the same question. But...

 

Here's the situation.

I'm getting my first rig in the next couple of weeks. I work fulltime at a production company, and they will be renting the rig from me, and I would operate it. Others in the area are interested in renting me, and then just renting the rig. So I won't need to support my wife and I from the income, but I DO want to take advantage of all of the work.

 

Here is the list of what I'm getting.

 

EFP sled w/ greenscreen CRT monitor

Blue spring arm w/soft case

EFP vest, docking bracket w/ T-handle wrenches

4 Anton Bauer 14.4v Pro-Pac batteries with dual quick charger

Lent-equip UHF video transmitter w/case

Sony quick release camera plate

Seitz wireless follow focus with 1-Heden motor, 2-transmitter batteries & charger, amp, double set of motor cables, 3 gears, mounting bracket, various camera power cables, j-box for use independent of rig, assorted widgets for mounting.

Universal low-mode cage

Low-mode bracket for video

Hill low-mode bracket for Arri 16SR's & Arri 35-3's

Viewfinder video tap & camera for Arri cameras (older models)

Custom hard mount for use on tailgate or similar application

Baby c-stand w/turtle base (fits in large case)

2 hard shell shipping cases

2 pelican cases

various cables, connectors and screws for the rig

 

I know there are a few things in that list that I might never use doing SD video.

I'm getting a small loan to cover a 1/3rd of the cost of the rig, but I want to know what else I might need to get, or would be nice to factor into the loan.

 

I'm already planning a workshop, (in May if I can) Adding my first years insurance to the list.

What associations (aside from SOA) should I look into?

Maybe advertising, or other things that will help bring in business?

Everything I will be doing for the production company will be SD16x9. So the greenscreen monitor works, but it compresses it to 4x3. I'm assuming a 16x9 monitor is costly.

 

Any ideas?

[Sebastian Geret]

Hi sorry not being able to answeer your question and giving one to you

i have almost the same setup just lack of a motor but once i had one and it didn`t work how you wire the seitz amp power wize? from the EFP sled? with me the motor didn`t work properly (witch worked fine with a BFD) and when i switchede the seitz amp on the monitor whent black and the motor freezed completely...help!!!

[Mikko Wilson]

If you will be dooing some live stuff, then a Tally light is a preaty important accesory. Peter Abraham sells them...

Also you might want to look into some sort of zoom control. J7 is preaty popular.

 

- Mikko

[JobScholtze]

I use the varizoom for zoom on my sled. It works great and for a great price.

[cidion]

Thanks for the advice so far. I won't be doing live stuff really, but it's something to think of.

 

I was thinking about replacing / upgrading the monitor, but I don't know if the one I have is ok or not. And I don't know if the one I have is worth much, to help offset the cost of a new one.

 

I'd rather have one that is 4x3 / 16x9 switchable, and color doesn't matter to me. I'm ok with green.

 

I'm assuming that monitors are not cheep, but I'm checking out the monitor forum for some pointers in the right direction.

 

Maybe I'll find the answer at the workshop in a couple of weeks.

 

Bryan