Steadicam with Junkin'

[Bryan Fowler]

We started at 8am at the Great Smokey Mtn Flea Market in Sieverville TN.

 

My job was to collect footage for a behind the scenes video of the Turner South show Junkin' with Val and Dave. For those that haven't seen the show, (probably most of you) Val and Dave drive all over the south east going to yard sales and flea markets buying junk, talking to the country folk selling the junk, and seeing the people who usually attend those places.

 

The easiest part of the day was changing tapes or batteries. The rest was about 8 hours of fast paced here-to-there type back and forth, with 10-20min sections of dave and val talking to others. Dave and Val were the stars of the show, but there were 10 other people (crew, family etc) that I was covering as well...wherever the action was.

 

80% of it was in the sun, 88-90degrees, and not much wind. I looked for the shade as much as I could, and kept water in me. =)

 

I had built my own weight cage in preperation for the shoot. We were shooting on DVX-100s, and I found out the I built the cage a little to skinny. The DVX barely fit inside the cage, and when it did, it didn't have room for the extra mic that they use. So it got taped on...It worked.

 

I have 4 Anton Bricks, and for some reason, they wouldn't charge. So I ended up using the LCD on the camera 75% of the time. I had one battery that was already charged, so I ended up using it to power the CRT, which ended up being ok for the day.

 

It was my first run&gun shoot with the rig, and the DVX, and I think everything went alright. I was running manual iris, and focus, so the right hand (i'm goofy) sometimes was holding a little tight while I adjusted the ND filter, or the focus. But it seemed to be an alright alternative to really porly exposed footage.

 

I realized that the old CRT that I have on the EFP is really hard to see in direct sunlight, so I'm looking into a new LCD. . . again. The previous owner used it for 8 years, so maybe i'm to picky. =\ Either way...i couldn't see it without constantly adjusting the shade.

 

My wife was my assistant, and did a great job running batteries, and helping out with everything. I'll hire her again. =)

 

After spending more time in the rig (at least I imagine that it was more rig time than on a planned production) on this shoot, I expected to be very sore today. But I don't feel that bad at all. Thanks to all the instructors in the workshop I attended for helping with posture. Although a few of the still shots that I saw made me think I was a little to far forward, It seemed to keep me comfortable during the day, and the day after.

 

Bryan Fowler

Chattanooga, TN

[jay kilroy]

We're so proud of our little Bryan, "alls grows up."

 

jay

[Bryan Fowler]

We're so proud of our little Bryan, "alls grows up."

 

jay

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Tomorrow I get to balance my own rig! =)

 

 

 

 

oh, some more kudos for the workshop experience: Since the greenscreen CRT was not very visible in direct sunlight, and the LCD on the camera was not always visible, I was often forced to guess on the framing.

 

I was looking at the footage today, and for the most part I got the framing. Sometimes i bumped the edge a tad to much... but I'm happy with it so far.

[Saade Mustafa]

Good to hear your adapting and overcoming obstacles that you are encountering as well as building strength to shoot for long durations. Just think you can be like arnold in the first conan when all he did was push that wheel for years that made him into the huge monster.

wishin u the best my man.

[Bryan Fowler]

Good to hear your adapting and overcoming obstacles that you are encountering as well as building strength to shoot for long durations. Just think you can be like arnold in the first conan when all he did was push that wheel for years that made him into the huge monster.

wishin u the best my man.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This sounds like Saad.

 

Things are good here, how was the production that ripped you away from your adoring workshoppers?

 

I trust there were do electrocutions? =)

 

Bryan

[Saade Mustafa]

it was all good my man that lil gig ignited some real good ties with some people movin up in the world that want me to come with em

all the best

saade

[Bryan Fowler]

it was all good my man that lil gig ignited some real good ties with some people movin up in the world that want me to come with em

all the best

saade

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's awesome. I've been looking for some coat tails myself. =)

 

I'm getting ready for a 6 location shoot that will last over 3 weeks. Boston, Kansas City, Denver, Seattle, Hilo Hawaii, Los Angeles, Ft. Lauderdale, and Cleveland, TN.

 

er..well, that's 8.

 

anyway, we are trying for some landscape shots with a single person in it. Picture someone facing the camera, with the rockies behind them / OTS. Intermixed with CU of their faces, hands. Simple movement with the rig. Still not sure what we are planning.

 

It's a feel good video put to music.

 

I'm working on getting a new monitor for the shoot. I'm hoping it works out, because the one I have is an OLD crt. =\

 

Gotta run, sleep.

 

Bryan

 

(i'll remember to spell your name correctly.. Saade)