The ALIEN / Alien Revolution - All about...

[Michael Stumpf]

In the past several days about 3 operators asked me if I was recently at the demo of the finalized Alien. Then, in one case, he said, "oh yeah, that's right didn't you and Howard have a disagreement or something."

 

I went on to briefly explain the situation. But only after I told him that I saw and flew Lynn's original Alien prototype. Lynn has been working on the Alien for the better part of 10 years. Last year, he told me he was in the process of finding funding and someone who could help him build the Alien. Part of the reason it hadn't hit the market was because, as Lynn said, he didn't have funding and the ability to build it. As I understand it that's where Howard and MK-V came into the picture...to help fund and build Lynn's Alien.

 

But back to the point of this thread, and that is that the word has mistakenly spread about Howard and myself, like we had some HUGE fight. So I want to clarify it here.

February 2003 I was looking to upgrade my rig (Master Series) and get a new one. I looked at several including the XCS and the MK-V as well as the PRO 2.

I decided after talking with Howard that I was going to order and buy the MK-V.

As I was told by Howard, I was the really the first person in LA to own the MK-V deluxe sled.

 

However, after just one day, I came to the conclusion the MK-V wasn't right for me. Howard asked me to keep it for a bit longer and make my decision then. I did and still felt the rig wasn't for me. I returned the rig. Howard was dissappointed, and asked me why I did not like the MK-V. I emailed him the reasons and my suggestions. I gave Howard many pieces of advice, including having a "demo" model or having a "trial period" on his gear, after he told me that MK-V was going to instill a 15% "return" fee on returned sleds after my situation. He said I was the first to be unhappy and return one. I believe I had sled number 43. And, as I understand it, he took that advice and now has a 14 day "cooling off" return policy. As I had bought the rig sight unseen, and in this world market, it's impossible to expect someone to be willing to pay a 15% return fee on a product they haven't ever tried in depth.

 

But like ANYTHING not everything is right for everybody. Greg Bubb told me that he understands if the XCS isn't right for me. For a couple reasons it wasn't and that's what I told him and that's why I didn't get the XCS either.

I told Howard that I wouldn't go into detail as to what the issues were with everybody, and I still won't. But like the DSD vest works for me and many others, it doesn't for some. That's business and that's reality.

 

Furthermore, with ANY product, things improve with customer feedback. I gave Howard my feedback after spending a few days with the MK-V That's how things work and without that feedback how would businesses make changes for the better. For example how would Walter Klassen know to make the "drop down" arm for tall operators on the backmounted vest without feedback? He wouldn't.

Business people need to take those suggestions to heart and make the appropriate changes. I haven't seen any of Howard's newer products, but I'm sure along with my suggestion of the "trial period" he now implements, he has implemented some, if not all, of my other suggestions into his newer systems. Maybe not, I don't know.

 

So, before this "issue" continues to spread around, I just want to publicly say, "I don't have any personal issues with Howard. I don't hate him, and I don't think he's a bad person. I don't think Howard hates me or has any lingering ill will that I was the first to "return" an MK-V. He makes solid products, but the tried and true PRO 2 fit and worked for me better, so that's what I got. Well except I got Greg Bubb's top notched gimbal, his wonderful and strong base plates, and of course the TB-6.

 

So, I hope this clears the air of this. I do NOT have any "issues or problems" with Howard, we just didn't make a business deal. No big deal. But I did get a free T-shirt out of it. :)

 

Later

[Howard J Smith]

Hi

 

For the record the MK-V Alien Revolution is not the Alien but the system I delovelped over the last 4 years, completely indepently called the Revolution.

(Those ops who have flown both will know the difference.)

 

Lynn has become a very close friend of mine (as we share the same vision) and is a very clever man and out of respect for him I called it the Alien Revolution (AR) as a 'tip of the cap' to Lynn and his excellent extremely hard work.

 

I would also like to publicly thank Eric Flecter for all his ahrd work over the last few weeks - Eric you are a Star!

And also thank all the ops who came and tried and bought the new systems.

 

If anybody would like to know more about the MK-V AR system please email me at AR@mk-v.com

(serious ops only please)

 

All the best

 

Howard J Smith MK-V

[Michael Stumpf]

Ahh, well there you go.

Now that you mention it, I remember you saying that you were working on something of that sort as well.

 

I was misinformed then, as I thought you were partnering up with Lynn to build a production model of his Alien. So are there going to be two versions or did the two merge into one?

 

And when you say "bought the new systems" do you mean the Alien Revolution is now for sale and if so, just out of curiousity, how much and whose bought it so far?

[Peter Abraham]

(serious ops only please)

What if I'm a humorous Op with gobs of cash? :lol:

 

The idea of having a time period for returning with no financial hit or hard feelings is a good one. These are highly serious investments and being tied to any major purchse when you've made it sight-unseen is brutal.

 

We can look at the Sauve-Klassen Vest thingy ( I don't wanna piss anyone off by using just one name so I threw in both ) as an example. Lots of Ops talk about the customized method of having those vests built, a few have said they have returned the vest and no hard feelings. I find this practice to be admirable.

 

Peter Abraham, E.M.T.

[Howard J Smith]

Hi Peter

 

Sorry yes it should of said " Serious ops (with a good sense of humour and buckets of cash) only please"

Sorry for the typo

:D

 

Regarding your other points I totally agree and customer satifaction and service is the main reason I started MK-V.

Being in the UK cutomer service for my 3a was almost nonexistent - for example - my colleague bought a new steadicam (5 years ago - CP not Tiffen) the monitor went down within days - it took 6 months to fix and he had to hire another sled from them while it was being repaired - totally outrageous! - Hence MK-V

 

Good to talk to you and I look forward to meeting you soon

All the best

 

Howard J Smith MK-V

[LynnNicholson]

Hello Everyone,

 

As most of you are probably already aware, Howard Smith (MK-V) has just completed

a series of Alien Revolution (AR) demos in the LA area. Due to an unusual series of

events, I was unable to attend said demos, but am told by trusted individuals, that

virtually all who tried the pre-production AR were very impressed with its capabilities.

This is great news, and I am anxiously looking forward to beta testing Version 1.0 in a

few weeks.

 

Congratulations to Howard for successfully attacking this challenging project, and to

those first few pioneers who have purchased ARs. The world of Steadicam may never

be the same again...

 

And congratulations to Howard and Kelly. Your world will never be

the same again...

 

Best Regards,

 

Lynn "so glad to finally have a licensee" Nicholson (Alien inventor)

[Howard J Smith]

Hi

 

I would just like to thank Lynn and Roxanne for their support and also a big thanks to Eric Fletcher, Chris McGuire and Kelly as well.

Lynn is one of the cleverest and kindest people I know, I enjoy our conversations a great deal.

 

I would also like to thank the first pioneers to buy the MK-V Alien Revolution system (AR)

Including:

 

the First - Jeff Mart - a true pioneer, Jeff owned the first private Steadicam ever and has done some amazing shots over the last 28 years (Including the amazing running up a pyramid ad for Rebok and riding bikes and horses) - Jeff thank you and I can't wait to see what you will do with the AR and the Nexus system.

 

Chad Persons - another Very good op - if you have seen 'The West Wing' you will know what I am saying.

I look forward to seeing what can create now you have total freedom.

 

Eric - what can I say - You the man!

 

Chris McGuire - Go bro!

 

And of course Lynn - enjoy the AR.

 

If any one would like more info on the AR system please email me

AR@mk-v.com

 

Many thanks

Howard J "proud father" Smith MK-V (Revolution Inventor and hat tipper to Lynn)

[Howard J Smith]

Also...

 

If anybody else is interested in being a pioneer for the V1.0 AR system please email me

Howard@mk-v.com

 

Many thanks

 

Howard J Smith MK-V

[RodCrombie]

I feel so totally out of it...what's an "alien revolution"...should I be scared, lock up the kids...head for the hills...what?

Rod

[Stephen Murphy]

And there are new concepts to embrace. Neutral balance, as in infinite drop time, and "Spatial Balance."

 

The AR will work with the MK-V Nexus sled (the Nexus was designed for it.) There is also a Pro2 conversion kit. Unfortunately it will not work with the master or the ultra rigs from CP/Tiffen for a variety of reasons.

Howard / Eric,

 

Will it work with Gregg Bubb's XCS?

 

When the AR does hit the market will it be marketed to producers/operators as a dailies only/ extra piece of kit for "regular" steadicam or do you forsee it being adopted as a complete replacement for traditional steadicam.

 

I hope when it does arrive that it wont turn up on set for anything near the same rate as a traditional steadicam op's kit. Id like to think it will be used for certain "special" shots (much like Steadicam was originally) but id hate to see the steadicam as we know it replaced.

 

Personally i like controling the horizon. I like the fact that the horizon on a steadicam shot isnt as perfectly smooth as a dolly - regardless of how good the operator is. I know we all aim for dolly perfection, but i like the presence and energy a steadicam shot has. If a shot is a dolly shot then use a dolly. No need to have an AR for 90% of steadicam shots - or is there?

Im not really looking forward to a machine doing all the hard/fun work for me. But who knows maybe when i finally see it ill have a change of heart.

[Peter Abraham]

Unfortunately it will not work with the master or the ultra rigs from CP/Tiffen for a variety of reasons.

==Cracking up==

 

Oh. Really.

 

A variety of reasons.

 

You're pretty darned articulate when it comes to every single other aspect of this vaporware. ( yeah, when people talk about something in concentric circles for a few years, then claim that they really can't "talk-talk" about it because it's very hushy hushy, that's vapor. A printed informational booklet outlining full specs and demos in major cities? That's UnVapor ).

 

Everything can be made to interface with everything.

 

But not this, huh? Stop biting your tongue and be as completely transparently articulate as you always are, and tell us- your Dear Readers- just exactly why. Because I gotta tell ya, after more than 18 months of smoke and mirrors, this thing just smells like haughty horeshit to me as much as anything else. If this toy is real then be a grown-up and type in a hyperlink to the Web Site that gives us streaming video demos, technical specs and details, photos and what not.

 

Or, in addition to not working with most of the rigs on the planet, is it also "disallowed" from being shown on the Internet?

 

Please. <_<

 

Peter Abraham

[BJMcDonnell SOC]

It sounds pretty cool. I would like to check it out before I would throw down $45,000.00 for the AR. Hey Howard, when are you gonna bust out some pics of this thing? I talked to you about maybe upgrading my set up but as soon as I asked to check out a demo of the Nexus w/ AR I never got a reply back from you. Does it work with a PRO 1 sled and a TB-6? I am interested but I never buy anything without testing it first. I am sure it will change things as we know it.

 

BJ McDonnell

[Howard J Smith]

Hi Stephen

 

How are you?

In answer to your post - it will be used instead of a 'steadicam' - when you come over soom you will see why. - belive me you still have to do the hard work - if not more so. (to quote the demos - "there is a learning curve!")

It will be extra $£ to a normal kit - but it does so much more than keep your horizon level.

It still 'feels' like "steadicam' but has so many other ways to work - mid-mode - you will see.

 

In answer to Peters coments

Hi Peter

The AR will not work with the Master or Ultra as the sleds basic design and batteries are not suitable for the way the AR works - When I am in NY soon I will show you why.

 

This is not 'BS' it is the future of 'steadicam' and if you had spent this much time and money on a project that was revolutionary, you would be very careful who you showed it too and when.

I hope you understand why we are keeping our cards very close.

I look forward to meeting you then.

 

BJ

As you know I am testing this for you - but my daughter arrived a month early so sorry - I will get back to it on Monday.

All the best to you all and thank you for your coments - Please email me if you have any other question.

 

Howard J Smith MK-V

[Howard J Smith]

Hi BJ

 

Further to Eric's post (thank you) - the 2" Post and Gimbal are the New MK-V V2" system - as it is the only system designed to work in all 3 axis - you need this for the AR.

 

All the best

 

Howard J Smith MK-V

[TJ Williams]

Dear E Fletcher

 

So thirty people have seen this! Alien Revolution......

 

Why then are there not a bunch of postings about how it operates. What they like and don't like about it. What the new challenges are regarding operating with it. Some pictures posted of the demos etc. At least some pictures of the new impossible shots it can make. If this is being demonstrated then, I would expect it is patented. A demonstration before thirty people clearly established pre-eminence for a patent applicant So what is the big secret? Are you and these thirty people sworn to secrecy? If so why?

 

My E mail request to MKV for pricing, compatablity, and purchase information just gotta one word reply from Howard "NO!"

 

Now Peter may be have bit heavily in preference for Tiffen/Cp type gear however you really must admit it's strange that we are not being inundated with promotional material! It also seems strange to me that the other 29 people haven't even posted an "OH WOW!"

 

TJ

 

PS: Here is my guess based on what you said: If you fly this on a standard sled like the PROII and the Lexus, and; you fly neutral, then it is probably a gyro stabilized piece on the camera end which allows the rotation from low to high mode keeping the camera upright. Flying the sled sideways to go low over table tops etc.

 

Coptervision already flys somthing like this. there must be some pretty serious camera size limits.