The ALIEN / Alien Revolution - All about...

[JobScholtze]

Its a amazing device. I have seen it today and yesterday. Cant keep my eyes of it, congrats Howard, you have made something incredible. Hats off

[Guido Lux]

Too bad I can't be there but I instead I had my first day of shooting with my own AR!!

It was great but a little heavy after 17 hours and switching cameras two times! So much for practicing setting up my AR...!

But here's a great picture I want you guys to see...

 

 

Guido "T4" Lux

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Its a amazing device. I have seen it today and yesterday. Cant keep my eyes of it, congrats Howard, you have made something incredible. Hats off

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Let's remember that without Lynn Nicholson's Truly pioneering work there would be no AR.

 

And for those that doubt, Lynn has had the patent for 5+ years

[Matt Burton]

Too bad I can't be there but I instead I had my first day of shooting with my own AR!!

It was great but a little heavy after 17 hours and switching cameras two times! So much for practicing setting up my AR...!

But here's a great picture I  want you guys to see...

 

 

Guido "T4" Lux

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thats Speacial man :rolleyes:

I'm feeling that moment

Well done!

 

-matt

[JobScholtze]

I tried it today, thanks Howard.

It was really fun trying this. I know its hard and there is a learning curve, but still i felt confident. Didn't had the feeling that it is out of my reach. Still a lot to learn though, but its not impossible.

[JobScholtze]

BTW Nice shoes Howard :P

[Chris Haarhoff]

I'm shooting a Tony Scott movie down here in the Bayou and I'd like to rent, or at least like production to rent an AR for a specific series of shots. Are there any owners out there who are ready to cut loose there unit for some extra cash?? Is there such a thing as a rentable AR yet? I need it soon.....I know that they won't bring in the operator as I'm here already. Any ideas, please call me or email me.

 

Chris Haarhoff

310-339-6030

chris@chrishaarhoff.com

[Brad Grimmett]

I've seen two used AR's for sale in the last few months. If I remember correctly one was being sold by Chad Persons. I can't remember who was selling the other one. I don't have contact info for Chad, but I'm sure someone will chime in.

Good luck.

[Jeff Muhlstock SOC]

I'm shooting a Tony Scott movie down here in the Bayou and I'd like to rent, or at least like production to rent an AR for a specific series of shots. Are there any owners out there who are ready to cut loose there unit for some extra cash?? Is there such a thing as a rentable AR yet? I need it soon.....I know that they won't bring in the operator as I'm here already. Any ideas, please call me or email me.

 

Chris Haarhoff

310-339-6030

chris@chrishaarhoff.com

 

Hey Chris, I have a potential project that has interest in the AR as well (starting in May) I have given some thought about a "shared" AR with other ops. Since the device will not be an every day item it might make sense to go in on a joint venture with a few fellows. Food for thought.

 

Jeff

[Bryan Trieb]

Depending on the demand, which will I'm sure increase in time....any of you pro's out there in Cali might do well to purchase the AR and not only use it for your gigs, but rent it out to your buddies as well?

Wonder how long it would take to "make the money back".

Or, is this a crazy thought because not everyone may have the sled compatibilities?

Sorry, winter's freezing my brain up here.

 

Cheers All!

:blink:

[ChadPersons]

Hey All,

 

I am selling my AR an MK-V Nexus Sled. Never really thought about sending it out with other operators but after reading the posts why not? So here it is. If anyone would like to help get my AR and sled out there and split the rental on it let me know. It is very cool but not a daily use item. You can do what I've been doing on the West Wing and have two sleds built at the same time and simply slip the camera into the Revolution when you need it. The West Wing has been cancelled and I'm not sure any other TV show would be willing to pay any extra for it so let's get it out there.

 

Feel free to call me if anyone is interested. 818 430-3227cell

 

Chad Persons

[Erwin Landau]

To all "AR pioneers"...

 

The excitement has cooled down, the new smell has dissipated, It's just another piece in your tool chest...

 

It has been over a year since the first owners have received there AR. Over 15 supposedly have been delivered, 5 have already been sold or past on. So there should be at least 20 people with field experience and stories out there. How often do you use it? Could the shot been made with other easier means?

 

There are rumors of:

 

Not working units.

 

Of bad costumer service.

 

Refusal to accept returned Units.

 

Operator that have low balled other fellow operator by throwing in the AR for free.

 

Operator that got fired because they could not hold an even horizon...

 

 

I'm not interested in manufacturer sales pitches... I want to hear from Owner/Operators that are using the equipment on a regular daily bases... As there means of income and not as a workshop participant.

 

 

Fly safe,

 

 

Erwin "Rumor Control" Landau

[Ramon Engle]

Hi Erwin. I purchased Neal Nortons unit in January of this year and have been using it since. I had a technical issue that was dealt with by MK-V with in a timely fashion(new sensor module).

There are some design flaws that can affect you.

 

Leaving the senors on for more than 30 minutes can cause overheating and cause drift

 

Leaving the sensors on while static in the docking bracket can cause the sensor to drift as well

 

The second generation processor will address these issues.

I've flown 435's, Beta SP and a gigantic HD package with a zoom lens, 3 preston motors, audio reciever and a downconverter. It's a beefy package. The AR flys it beautifully despite the fact that this camera is nearly 32 inches long and heavy. The AR does occassionally fail. Usually during very aggressive moves. But very seldom. My guess would be less than 5% of those aggressive moves.

 

Does the AR have performance issues? Not if you can manage the two issues mentioned above.

 

Is it reasonable to have to manage the sensors issue mentioned? Perhaps not but this gear is still in it's infancy.

 

I can only speak for my gear and my gear works and works well. It's heavy and takes more time to prep and balance but it works.

 

That's been my experience.

 

Ramon Engle

[Gustavo Penna]

Ive got mine 3 months ago and worked with it, on a 7week feature, and around 8commercials and 4 music videos. never had a single problem. however it takes me some extra time to set it up, also i need to keep an extra eye on those cables that cut get tangled.

 

The workmanship and the quality of the MK-V package its oustanding. the gimbal is simply the best in the market. The customer service has being so far so good, i just ordered a couple of extra cables and an extra dovetail and it was here on the east coast the next morning.

 

HOWEVER! I DO HAVE A BIG, BIG , COMPLAINT REGARDING THE BOLLAND MONITOR THAT I PURCHASED TO USE WITH MY MS FILM AND MY AR.

 

IT HAS BURNED ON 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. WITH OUT ANY REAZON. IT JUST STARTS SMOKING, THEN THE BURNED SMELL COMES OUT. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE NEXUS A.R. SINCE IT DID THE SAME ON TOP OF THE MASTER FILM.

 

DONT BUY A BOLLAND MONITOR. YOULL WASTE YOUR MONEY.

 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST. THE BATTERIES.

 

THE PAG L95 AND LOCK-ON 20. BATTERIES THAT I PURCHASED FOR MY AR ARE SIMPLE THE BEST BATTERIES I HAVE EVER USED.

 

THEY KEEP GOING AND GOING AND GOING. MY AVERAGE BATTERIE USE ON A FULL SHOOT DAY IS OF 4 BATTERIES. I DONT THING IM GOING TO USE THE 9 BATTERIES I GOT.

REGARDING RATES IM CHARGING A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS MORE THAN I USED TO GET FOR MY OTHER GEAR. NOW THAT I GOT SOME DPS AND DIRECTORS ADDICTED TO THE AR, IM GOING TO RAISE AN ADDITIONAL COUPLE HUNDRED MORE. THE UPPER SIDE OF HAVING THIS NEW SYSTEM IS THAT IM WORKING A LOT MORE THAN I WAS WITH MY PREVIOUS MASTER SERIES STEADICAM THEREFORE ITS MORE MONEY IN GENERAL.[/size][/size].

 

THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE A.R. SO FAR.

[Howard J Smith]

Hi Guys

 

Hi Erwin

I do not know where you get your info???

re:

"There are rumors of: "

 

Not working units.

NOT THAT WE / I KNOW OF?

 

Of bad costumer service.

YEH RIGHT, WE PRIDE OUR SELVES ON GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

 

Refusal to accept returned Units.

WHAT UNITS???

 

Operator that have low balled other fellow operator by throwing in the AR for free.

NOTHING TO WITH US, BUT WE DO STRESS THAT ANYONE WHO DOES THIS IS ONLY HURTING THEMSELVES (AND EVERYONE ELSE) THE AR IS NEW AND THERE IS NO NEED TO DISCOUNT IT.

 

Operator that got fired because they could not hold an even horizon...

NOT HEARD THIS ONE EITHER.

 

HERE IS AN EMAIL I GOT FROM JOHN "BUZZ" MOYER (FROM THE SET OF THE NEW EDDIE MURHPY FILM)

 

Howard,

 

I was very impressed by the dailies we saw the other day after an AR shot I did on a feature here in La. It was one of those low mode shots that needed to boom up to eye level of two kids, one of whom was on a bicycle. Because standard low mode didn?t allow the camera to get high enough

we used the AR. I chose to run backwards with the camera off to my left as low as possible. Because of the Klaussen vest I was able to lean forward and get just that little extra bit lower. We all were running pretty fast to maintain the proper distance from the actors. Starting on the front wheel we reveal the two kids by booming to there eye height. After about 40 yards of sprinting the kid on the bike falls out of frame and we find the other kid looking down across the lens in a close up. I was very happy with the video playback

the director was happy and we moved on. The other camera body was being prepped for the crane

so we picked up a low mode shot in seconds for coverage

then we picked up

a reverse, high mode shot in seconds and where out of the scene in minutes. The impressive part to me was in dailies when the shot came up on the screen. I was expecting at least a little vibration a some point in the shot due to the speed I had to run. Running backwards in a field for 50 yards is a true test of a solid sled set up

.the AR was all I had hoped it would be. The frame was rock solid

the equipment worked as designed and the shot was performed as the story boards were drawn

everyone was happy

we have 8 more days scheduled with it

I?ll keep you posted. Great seeing you and thanks for the pointers

 

 

Thanks man

 

 

John ?Buzz? Moyer

___________

 

Sure there have been a few teething problems but this is the same with all new technology.

The main problem was people were leaving the system booted while docked, and now they know this is incorrect, things are much better.

The AR's work very well, you only need to see our demo reel to see this.

As with anything if you do not set it up correctly then it will not work.

Same as if you have your sled top heavy with the arm & vest set up wrong you are going to get a bad shot.

Re the weight - the AR on a Nexus with and LCD (like a panasonic) weights around the same as a Steadicam Ultra with CRT.

 

If anyone would like to know the real facts please contact me - howard@mk-v.com

Or see www.mk-v-ar.com

 

All the best

Thanks

Howard