The ALIEN / Alien Revolution - All about...

[Charles Papert]

I accidentally clicked onto some earlier pages in this thread--completely threw me off until I realized they were three years old. Interesting to see how things change. Take a look at p. 5 or so...

[WillArnot]

Well chaps,

 

Just a heads up. While adaptability and out of the box thinking would seem to lie at the core of the steadicam world, Howard has informed me personally that MK-V will no longer sell an AR to anyone that owns an XCS sled.

 

That's too bad. when i first started working w/ Howard and MK-V part of the approach was to make it modular and adaptable. Howard worked hard to help me mount the sensor pack and electronics on my sled effectively and I've made it work as well as it can with some "out of the box" and adaptable thinking.

 

Apparantly this type of approach is no longer welcome, and despite there being "a numerous amount of rigs in the world", or if you "have a particular way of working", do yourself a favour and make it simple and easier for yourselves and just get a Nexus sled.

 

Will 'proud to be a pioneer' Arnot

 

Also, as we are used to giving a tip of the hat where credit is due it is worth pointing out that the "Whale Tail" bracket and concept for the Genesis camera was conceived and first made by Howard at Cinegear last year. This bracket is pictured in the 'Camera' section of the forum.

[Christopher TJ McGuire SOC]

htshrtdgh

[Christopher TJ McGuire SOC]

Seems to be a problem with viewing posts on this sub-forum.

My last post was a mistake.

 

Anyway, I look forward to seeing footage...especially from Raymond Lam and Mr. 'Buzz' Moyer... from spending some time with 'Buzz' on set, I reckon he'll be pushing the potential of the kit on its next outing.

 

Nice one fella's!

 

Best Chris...

[WillArnot]

I caught Curse of the Golden Flower the other day, the latest movie Ray used the AR on. Jason made some comments on it earlier in this thread.

 

I didn't see any AR shots per se other than some straight tracking shots in a lot of the corridor sequences. Although the shots were stabilised with the AR there was an unfortunate amount of lens vibration due to some poor machining of the AR baseplate.

 

It took a lot of kicking and screaming on my part and finally a personal visit from Chris and Howard to show them how bad the plate had been made that was causing alot of instability in the camera mount. Although I had been repeatedly told that I was the only one having such issues, it had to be admitted by Chris and Howard that they had never looked at the mount with enough attention to notice such a bad flaw, but thankfully Howard went back and redesigned the plate.

 

To those AR owners who haven't come across this yet, it is worth checking. And so you know, that new plate will cost you around $900. Don't quote me on $, just be prepared.

[nick franco]

While adaptability and out of the box thinking would seem to lie at the core of the steadicam world, Howard has informed me personally that MK-V will no longer sell an AR to anyone that owns an XCS sled.

 

Interesting, so will sales be denied only to XCS owners or will this include any non mk-v owners?

Reasons given(any you can share)?

And thank you Mr. Arnot for all the detailed and informative write ups throughout the process.

Nick

[jay kilroy]

While adaptability and out of the box thinking would seem to lie at the core of the steadicam world, Howard has informed me personally that MK-V will no longer sell an AR to anyone that owns an XCS sled.

 

Interesting, so will sales be denied only to XCS owners or will this include any non mk-v owners?

Reasons given(any you can share)?

And thank you Mr. Arnot for all the detailed and informative write ups throughout the process.

Nick

 

 

 

I will first say that I do not have much exposure to the AR, I have seen and "messed" around with one, not mine. I thought the reasoning behind the MK-V only sales, was because the strength of their top stage set ups, and that others couldn't handle the torque? Is this not the fact?

 

jay

[Erwin Landau]

"... because the strength of their top stage set ups, and that others couldn't handle the torque?"

 

That's Bull... , actually the Ultimate has the better more sturdy design, keep in mind that the ALIEN is based on the Ultimate and actually has fewer flex then the AR/Nexus (I have pictures), I played extensively with the ALIEN and the AR (Given, never on set or on a shoot but I would never show up on a shoot with a piece of equipment that doesn't perform properly) and both of them are not ready to be used in the field.

 

If you look back on trade shows like CineGear and the like the demo is featuring a GPI-PRO Donkey Box 3 because the MK-V deluxe stage isn't a drop in model. But when you purchase it you get the MK-V top stage (???) What's the reasoning for that? And that should prove that it's not the top stage. If even MK-V is demoing it with a "non standard" top stage.

 

I have pictures of Guido Lux who uses a Chrosziel top stage on his Nexus with the AR.

 

Looks to me like a stunt to make it more exclusive and sell a whole new rig on top of the AR. Sorry but the whole "integrated" system "thing" is a mood point. Will's set up works the best and most consistently of all of the units I tried. But even his, after a couple of "Revolutions", the Camera and the monitor are of level and out of sync.

 

I was told (please confirm you UK guys) that the AR is not sold in the UK but rather is only a rental item there.... (?????) Reason?

 

 

Shut... we are out of picture space... I'll contact Tim and get back with Pictures...

 

 

Erwin

[Howard J Smith]

Erwin

 

(how are you?)

sorry, again - Where do you get your facts?

 

Guys who read the forum -please if you want to know anything re the MK-V A-R system please contact either myself or Chris. (see below)

 

Yet again it is not the 'alien' - it is the 'Revolution' (A-R) and therefore has nothing in common or to do with the XCS system at all.

 

These postings have gotten more and more fictional and biased as they have gone on.

I have sat here in silence, but even I can only take so much misinformation.

 

We sell the Chroszeil topstage as standard now as it is THE best barr none. (yes much better than the DB3, we tested both fully and the chrosziel wins hands down for many reasons. And to be fair, better than the MK-V topstage also)

 

The MK-V A-R and Nexus are a solid and fully working package.

 

I am sure Chris will post re his latest shoot in NZ for the new "Macy's" adds (+ India "Brad Pitt" and Vancouver " Mercedes" ) when he gets chance.

 

Sorry but I am sick of reading all the BS - and I am sorry guys, but is it biased BS.

Please YET again Erwin get your facts straight, this is not the first time I have had to pull you up.

You're a great guy, and I like you a lot, but please do not post on what you do not know.

 

Yours respectfully

Howard

 

If anyone would like to talk here are our email addresses. - all the best

howard@mk-v.com

chris@ar-mcguire.com

[WillArnot]

So Howard, are you taking back what you told me about not selling to XCS owners anymore?? Was that just biased misinformation in the heat of conversation? That would be the right thing to do. You made such a good effort in the beginning and I thank you for that help... but you've changed your tack. I publicly gave you props for doing so (giving help) and gave you credit for coming up with the Genesis modification which you accused me of taking advantage of. It was never my intention to do anything of the kind. I am a believer in everyone getting their dues. I think anyone here on the forum, or who knows me personally, or works with me will attest to a solid and reliable reputation. So why all this wierdness?

 

I can't get you on email, so I call. Guido can't get a response either with the same question. You guys advertised the gimbal control a long time ago and yet noone can get hold of one except Chris who has the Prototype. So please let us all know what gives? Or is this going to be MK-V's version of "Mission Accomplished"?

 

If you would get that AR operator site up like you've been saying ever since you took down the page of AR owners from your MK-V site, we would have a constructive, less obtrusive way to further the development of the AR. Because you are impossible to get hold of 98% of the time, and because you are either "on holiday" or "don't run the company anymore", it's really difficult for people to know how to address customer support issues.

 

And I would just like to ask any other AR owners, who we never seem to hear about (do they exist?), do you have a warranty for your AR?? Apparantly I had one. I did not know this, I can't even find any serial numbers on any part of my AR let alone any warranty documentation - I was never issued any. It doesn't matter anyway, since this so called warranty has expired shall we say. You might want to get clarification on what exactly the terms of your warranty are, just so there is no more "misinformation".

 

All the best, and Cheerily,

 

Will

[mattmarek]

howard, i have also had no replies from you or your people at mkv. i have sent 2 or 3 emails in the last couple years and have heard nothing.

 

seems this forum would be a good way to keep us all posted and up to date, if you have no way to control and tend to the email flow that you must be getting.

[Howard J Smith]

Hi Matt

 

How are you?

 

Re your Post - Odd, we use Macs for emails and I have done a search on ALL our emails (going back a long way) and there is nothing from you.

Maybe you did not use the '-' in the MK-V bit?

 

How can I help you?

Please email me at this address - howard@mk-v.com

 

I look forward to hearing from you

All the best

Howard

[Charles Papert]

Howard:

 

I believe that you have an ever-growing PR problem, and I'm sure you'll want to rectify that as any good businessman would.

 

This thread is a perfect example. Will is a well-written and well-respected individual in this community, and if he is driven to publicly ask the questions he asked this morning, it is a good guess that it is borne out of frustration from not being able to get the answers he expects privately. When numerous individuals are complaining that they cannot get hold of you or get issues resolved, it isn't enough to materialize on the forum and claim that it's not your fault. Simply by not even acknowledging Will's post and skipping right to Matt's (which was easier to deflect), you have spoken volumes.

 

You have a certain number of satisfied customers, and others who are not. All future customers are watching closely how you proceed to manage these affairs. There are many negative anecdotes out there surrounding the AR and MK-V, and it's hard to imagine that it's not having an impact on sales. When you speak of misinformation, biased BS etc., you must understand that a certain amount of this has emerged because people have been told conflicting things by yourself or your representatives. Please don't ask me for examples, I'm just reporting what I hear.

 

Personally, I don't have an axe to grind over this; as you know I'm not intending to buy an AR. I think it's an exciting concept, and you have every right to be successful selling them, assuming the performance lives up to your claims, you stand by the product and your contract with Lynn is fairly resolved. But the bottom line is that in the Steadicam world, companies live and die by the quality and integrity of their customer service, and those that truly support their clientele 110 percent come out on top.

[Howard J Smith]

Hi Charles

How are you?

As you know ?rumours? have a habit of catching you out. Hence my posting here today.

 

Re postings on the forum ?

Ok ? No 1, I choose not to air my laundry in public ? some people get off on this But I don?t.

If I was to post most the emails I get, on here you would all have a very different picture and opinion of some of the operators on here. Their views of other operators is appalling. But I choose not to post them, for the moment, unlike other people.

 

I choose not to answer most posts as they are so far off the mark as to not warrant any reply ? If people want to believe these works of fiction, without checking with us or the people concerned, then I am at a loss for words. Believe it or not my life does not revolve around this forum. It revolves around my family and company. I am far to busy talking with customers and getting orders ready + answering emails! (for more on this see below)

 

Re points like Wills

?Although the shots were stabilised with the AR there was an unfortunate amount of lens vibration due to some poor machining of the AR baseplate?

 

This is the type of miss information and BS I am on about. This was posted with no proof at all ? but some people blindly believe it.

If Will had even checked these facts ? like talking to Raymond - he would of found out the truth, as I did when I asked Raymond re this, this was his answer ?

?There was some vibration but not a lot as they said. I think it was caused by my 3A top stage either by the loose screws or by not locking the AR cage base plate to the top stage tight enough. The AR is quite heavy with the ArriCam LT and there was still play although I tighten the left to right top stage screws once a while. The vibration did happened during quick walking shots when I do close ups. I guess it would be fixed when I go to a new top stage.?

(please note that this top-stage is NOT an MK-V product)

 

When I asked Raymond if he would mind if I quoted him and why he has not replied himself ? this was his answer ?

?I don't mind go ahead and quote me. It is too much bs going on in the forum. I just don't feel like wasting my time on writing replies.?

 

As you can see this is in fact nothing to do with the MK-V A-R System OR the MK-V Nexus sled. This does Not happen with the topstage we supply.

 

Re me answering emails, or Not as the case is. ? Ok lets look at this, seeing as this was also brought up (a lot)

It is very hard to answer an email if the person does not actually send it to you!?! I thought this would be straight forward enough, but it does not seem to be that way. Everyone who has posted that I have not replied, did in fact Not send an email ? as I am very very disciplined re emails and replies (unless I am asleep or on vacation!) I use the mac system, and I can search the content of all my emails to see if a persons name is even mentioned. ? This is how I know. I also go back a long way.

 

Re Guido Lux?s post in ?AR in the rain? ?

first posting - ?I wrote Howard an email a while ago but he never got back to me!? ?

2nd posting - ?UPS!

Just realized the email to Howard never got send!!! My mistake! No offense!!

Guido?

Re ?negative anecdotes? ? well let?s talk about this as well, seeing as you brought this up. I have not seen 1 negative post from anyone who does not have some kind of hidden (or not so hidden) agenda going on ? some have small ones, some huge. I choose to ignore this as anyone would. ? It would be well to note all most all the ?bad press? I/MK-V is getting is coming from XCS owners (or people who are involved with them), which is very interesting. To the Guys who read this forum, please take all these ?views? or ?reports? that you read with a ?pinch of salt? as there is a lot going on behind the scenes that is not being said. A lot of it is negative propaganda based on fiction. For example the strength of our 2? 4 stage post, or the rigidity of the Nexus ? but this is a whole other laughable story!

 

Re the Forum, Ok this is another issue in its own right, This forum is a shadow of its former self, no one posts here anymore, myself included. Where have all the great ops gone? I know, as I have spoken to them about it. They feel the same as myself and the many many others (see Raymonds coment above) ? the forum is no longer the fun unbiased helpful place it used to be. And for the record I do not feel the moderators should be allowed to post. Most know what I am talking about.

 

They should either moderate OR post - not both. It seems like this forum is personal ego trips for many ops and not a lot else.

Their biased views are boring and transparent.

 

I do not see what it has to do me or MK-V.

All at MK-V work bloody hard and pride our selves on excellent products and excellent service 24/7 - 365.

 

If anyone would like to speak to us please see www.mk-v.com for our contact info.

See you all soon.

Best wishes

Howard J Smith

[BRIANBUSBY]

I FELT I NEEDED TO SAY SOMETHING TO HOWARD THIS IS A COPY OF THE EMAIL I SENT HIM

I HAVE NO AXE TO GRIND WITH ANYBODY BUT FEEL FREE TO HAVE A GO AT ME WATER OF A DUCKS BACK

 

hi mate

just read your post on the muppet forum

well said and to the point just one word

comes to mind jellocy you did it they

dont have the ability to accept sucsess

so bitch about it.

 

 

brian