2nd Generation Steadicam Ops?

[Janice Arthur]

Hi all;

 

I know a few operators whose kids are now in the Steadicam business.

 

If you want to let us know, it would be nice to hear about.

 

One I know of is Leslie McEllhatton, Russ McEllhatton's daughter.

 

Peace to all and have a great week.

 

Janice

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

James Puli (son of Louis Pulis) and TJ Williams, Jr. come to mind as well as Bob and Dave Crone.

[Ryan Balton]

I come close... while I'm the first Steadicam operator in the family, I'm second generation in the business.

 

My dad Bruce was a jib operator based in New York, after starting in the business as a crane and dolly grip. My uncle Rob, also a jib operator, owns Camera Moves. My uncle Chris is a producer/director who does a good deal of 3D animation, and my aunt Lori is a location scout for feature films out in LA.

 

And somehow none of them talked me out of it :rolleyes:

[James Puli]

Hi Janice! Was going to reply the other week, but luckily I've been flat out working!

 

Yep Im a 2nd generation Camera / Steadicam Operator and I love it! Started flying around my dads Steadicam Jr

(that Garrett gave him) when I was like 15, and haven't stopped since! One of my favourite photos that I have is

with my dad and Garrett taken at a workshop I was helping out at a few years ago - my 2 biggest idols!!

 

Its been a good thing but also a little bit bad. The hardest part has been finding my own niche and not just being Louis' son! Luckily for me its been going really well recently, but like everyone says its all about being a good Camera Operator first and foremost! One way I've done this is that I work alot as a Live TV camera operator which is something my dad hasn't done alot of over the years.

 

I've essentially grown up with digital technology, BUT got to spend alot of time loading and pulling focus for film as well! And I totally miss it! I got my start as a Camera Assistant (which i still do for a few DP's when Im not shooting)

in about 2002, when HD was just starting out, and to see it come as far as it has and the transition from film,

has been really interesting. Though Im still very thankful that I've seen the change and grown with it! It still shocks

me (and makes me sad) that the next generation of Camera Assistants (and Operators) potentially will have never worked with film!

 

But the most important thing that I have inherited is the extra decades of experience, having grown up with all the old school issues that we had with CP and the older rigs. Its given me a great perspective, as well as taught me the history in more details then new operators ever get .... ALL while still being in my 20's (just!).

I've also been filling in for my dad recently doing basic lectures at a few film schools talking about Steadicam

and its given the students a different angle on things as Im alot younger then most of the guys around

(with similar experience), and give a younger persons perspective on the industry and issues we have these days!

 

I absolutely love my job and just about every job I do, reminds me of this!

 

Hope to see you all at Cinegear!

 

JP

 

James Puli

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1911510

[Charles Papert]

my aunt Lori is a location scout for feature films out in LA.

Ryan, funny story: when I was 19 back in the mid-80's, I worked on a TV movie in Boston. I was a PA and assigned to help Lori out (she did craft service back then). I haven't seen her since! One day our paths will cross in LA...

 

Coincidentally, one of the other young PA's on that show heard me talking endlessly about Steadicam and ended up becoming a Steadicam operator also--none other than Gerry O'Malley!

[Ryan Balton]

Ryan, funny story: when I was 19 back in the mid-80's, I worked on a TV movie in Boston. I was a PA and assigned to help Lori out (she did craft service back then). I haven't seen her since! One day our paths will cross in LA...

 

Too funny! She was the only one in the family to head to the west coast. She's scouting in Puerto Rico at the moment.