Interesting new rig

[James Davis]

Did get some minor vibration issues though when I really went for it, trying out a stiffer Steadicam dovetail plate, hope that helps.

[Lars Erik]

I never said a Steadicam/Movi combination would immediately make everything you worked for, practiced, and learned over the last few decades obsolete. Read carefully: "The Movi won't replace the Steadicam. Ever. Not gonna happen. But if combined with a Steadicam, it will allow less experienced operators to give senior operators a serious run for their money". No one is going to make you obsolete, and nobody's gonna take your job. But the Movi on a Steadicam will change it. Bank on that.

 

 

See, this is what I don't get. You say you have no experience with a Freefly, don't own one. It's basically a tool that hasn't been released yet. Still you claim that you know what will happen. You somehow know that a Movi on a Steadicam rig will change everything. Even though the Freefly forum told you otherwise. I'm not saying it won't change things. Perhaps the type of shots we'll be asked to perform changes, I don't know. But nobody really knows yet. But somehow YOU do...

 

Can you please explain this to me?

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

[quote name="Shawn Sutherland" post="92480"

 

See, this is what I don't get. You say you have no experience with a Freefly, don't own one. It's basically a tool that hasn't been released yet. Still you claim that you know what will happen. You somehow know that a Movi on a Steadicam rig will change everything. Even though the Freefly forum told you otherwise. I'm not saying it won't change things. Perhaps the type of shots we'll be asked to perform changes, I don't know. But nobody really knows yet. But somehow YOU do...

 

Can you please explain this to me?

 

Same way he knows that all DP's want to operate STEADICAM shots and can't wait to use the Movi on STEADICAM

[Shawn Sutherland]

Same way he knows that all DP's want to operate STEADICAM shots and can't wait to use the Movi on STEADICAM

 

2656 posts?

 

I like to think I got an open mind and all, but Holy Shit Eric.

 

You don't have a toilet in front of your computer or somethin, do ya'?

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

WU!!, That was a long read..

I have one question.. If the Movi was mounted on the Arm, or on a Sled on an Arm, and the remote operator directs the joystick to pan, and the person carrying the contraption also pans, won't this mess up at least the speed of the pan? Maybe even the ending frame? same thing if the remote operator tilts the camera, and the operator tilts the sled mounted unit up, this would throw the end framing off correct?

 

I have always thought it's a cool invention, but specifically to do some of the crazy shots the demo showed, like when the operator moves it into an opening and there is someone on the other side to continue the shot, or the holding it in one hand and your other hand holding onto a cab while it pulls you on roller skates, etc... it's all about moving the story not just the camera,

By putting this on a sled your immediately taking away it's small compact factor, which is what made it cool, AND since making it capable of holding too large of a weight would severely limit it to crossfit fanatics who can hold a 20lb kettle ahead of them for 20 minutes while doing their WOD There are limitations Cameras got small, but lenses got bigger, Cell phones went from bricks to mini razors, now back to Big. Headphones went from big to mini, now those beats units are huge. Things are changing, all we can do it be educated on everything that's out there.

[Shawn Sutherland]

Short answer: Turn off the pan motor for whip pans. Not that big of an issue for tilting, since very few Steadicam shots involve "whip-tilts". Where it's really going to shine is with long lens shots. The added stability of the Movi will do wonders. There will be many tweaks along the way, but eventually operators and designers will find the sweet spot for the Steadicam/Movi combo.

[Shawn Sutherland]

First of all, the people I spoke with on the freefly forum were just about as stubborn as the ones over here. Each side believes their product is perfect in every way and doesn't need help from anybody else. This is why evolution takes so long.

 

I don't own a Freefly, but I know what it does. I'm an inventor. In 1985 I built my own stabilizer out of mop handles, bungee cords, and a backpack frame. It worked, and I have the footage to prove it. I've been thinking about it ever since. Let me know if you want to see it.

Ever watch a Movi with somebody wobbling all over the place? Perfectly level and straight on all 3 axis. A Steadicam is just a much, much slower version of hand held with the added bonus of a spring loaded ride. The Movi will do for Steadicam the same thing it already does for handheld. It just won't have to work as hard.

Here's what I know about the Movi just from looking at it:

Majestic mode: Stabilized with operator control via gimbal base

Stabilized: Stabilized image with no operator input

Stabilized slew: Stabilized with remote operator

Off: Kills drive to gimbal axes

Imagine having this control with any one of the three axis. Now put it on a Steadicam, give the remote to a second operator, and look straight forward to watch the monitor installed on the Steadicam arm.

Get ready. The next evolution of Steadicam is about to be born.

[Lars Erik]

Shawn, don't mistake Eric's many posts for having nothing else to do. He posts here on a voluntary basis, and he works a lot and has an extensive IMDB CV. You don't.

 

And to be honest, the thread at Freefly seemed that there was only one stubborn person over there. The other members gave you honest and respectful advice of why they don't think Movi+Steadicam will work.

 

And drop the cheap lines. It's obvious you've read or heard them somewhere else.

 

"Get ready. The next evolution of Steadicam is about to be born".

 

What? You read that for some article for a tv-shop item or something?

[AndreasKielb]

WU!!, That was a long read..

I have one question.. If the Movi was mounted on the Arm, or on a Sled on an Arm, and the remote operator directs the joystick to pan, and the person carrying the contraption also pans, won't this mess up at least the speed of the pan? Maybe even the ending frame? same thing if the remote operator tilts the camera, and the operator tilts the sled mounted unit up, this would throw the end framing off correct?

 

I have always thought it's a cool invention, but specifically to do some of the crazy shots the demo showed, like when the operator moves it into an opening and there is someone on the other side to continue the shot, or the holding it in one hand and your other hand holding onto a cab while it pulls you on roller skates, etc... it's all about moving the story not just the camera,

By putting this on a sled your immediately taking away it's small compact factor, which is what made it cool, AND since making it capable of holding too large of a weight would severely limit it to crossfit fanatics who can hold a 20lb kettle ahead of them for 20 minutes while doing their WOD There are limitations Cameras got small, but lenses got bigger, Cell phones went from bricks to mini razors, now back to Big. Headphones went from big to mini, now those beats units are huge. Things are changing, all we can do it be educated on everything that's out there.

 

Hi, the steadicam operator should not tilt the sled up, at least it's not necessary with the remote controlled gimbal on board. If he tilts a little by accident it would not harm but not 90 degrees or something as this would change the sensor orientation. He is still responsible to place the camera in space, start or stop the movement with the action or to compose the backround lights nicely etc. If he pans the sled this will not have an effect on the speed of the remote pan as the brushless motors and the sensor will react fast enough to compensate for that.

 

Also it'll not be necessary to do all shots with the brushless gimbal / steadicam combo. I can imagine it might be helpfull to have both tools available and operated by the same guy.

 

What I have in mind is a setup were you can change quickly between the handles or the steadicam bracket. This way you can change between the handle mode and do those cool roller skate movements and 5 minutes later you can have the setup ready for a precise tracking shot on the steadicam. You don't need to rebalance the whole thing for the change between overslung and underslung mode. Also I plan to have the pan motor disconnectible with a lemo plug and that the pan axis can be fixed with a bracket to allow for whip pans as Shawn pointed out.

 

Alien revolution style moves will not be possible with the pan motor enabled because this would change the sensor orientation. But I plan to introduce a 2 axis system with tilt and a 360 degree roll axis for lighter cameras in the next year. The stabilized tilt axis will help to provide a constant headroom as it does not rely on the small inertia of the camera length side if the sled is horizontal.

 

I also found the post on the freefly forum and some people answered that the movement of the brushless gimbal will change it's CG but that's not the case. 3 axis brushless gimbals need to be in balance in all axis to work properly so the CG will not change on the steadicam sled. But I didn't really notice a fight or something going on there.

[Shawn Sutherland]

"you have no experience with a Freefly, Still you claim that you know what will happen, somehow know that a Movi on a Steadicam rig will change everything even though the Freefly forum told you otherwise, nobody really knows yet. But somehow YOU do, blah, blah, blah..."

Translated:

You bought a whole bunch of really expensive equipment to make a living with and the last thing you want hear is how it's about to get serious shot in the arm from a cheap piece of gear with a really short learning curve.

Once again:

Calling me wrong won't matter.

Cherry picking things I said won't matter.

It's coming whether you like it or not.

So get ready.

The Movi is about to do amazing things on a Steadicam.

[Lars Erik]

I give up. Perhaps we should close this thread until the Movi is out on the market. This thread is pointless now.

[Barry Mkokiner]

I give up. Perhaps we should close this thread until the Movi is out on the market. This thread is pointless now.

 

Speak for yourself.

 

I can't wait to see a Steadicam with a Movi on it.

[Shawn Sutherland]

I give up. Perhaps we should close this thread until the Movi is out on the market. This thread is pointless now.

 

Alright boys and girls: Can somebody in the classroom tell me what is the defining characteristic of fascism?

 

Censorship.

[Lars Erik]

What I meant is that this has become an all speculation thread now. Until someone operates a Movi on a Steadicam on a set (a real set Shawn), this thread will become the loooooongest ever. Zzzzzzzzzzz

[RonBaldwin]

This is like watching a train wreck...I cannot take my eyes off this disaster! We have dozens who are among the most experienced ops in the world saying one thing, and a guy who's claim to fame is stirring up trouble on forums and utilizing tools from the profession he should have been in to make a homebuilt stabilizer (which many here have done btw...and it doesn't make you an inventor just an imitator) and who shoots weddings saying another thing...the same thing...over and over and over.

 

I understand both side's frustration...the pros understand that they were once stupid, impatient and inexperienced so try to be patient and respond with experience and understanding how things work. The mop wielding wedding photographer cries foul because in his inexperienced mind there's no way he can be wrong -- and anyone who sees things differently are obviously afraid of "his" ideas of using a new-ish device (he has not even seen in person) that will somehow make us all obsolete.

 

The best part is that the Freefly guys (who make the afore mentioned "steadicam op delete device" that the mop and bungee genius is jizzing all over) said things similar to what we have been saying. But of course they are wrong too!

 

Then there's "Barry"...

 

It's all good times (except the spit takes)