Steadicam Plateau: What gear do we want next?

[William Demeritt]

What about a drop in tilt plate? something akin to the tilt plate on top of a geared head, but made into a dovetail with a dovetail receptacle on the top, acting as a sandwich plate. Even if it is an inch or an inch and a half tall, that wouldn't really matter since the camera will be tilted so high anyway. That way you could drop in the tilt plate when you need it and not have the extra weight or height when you don't.

 

Thoughts?

 

Would we like it to achieve any arbitrary degree of tilt down (or tilt up, depending on how we tie it to the camera), or specific degrees of tilt (1°, 2°, ..., 5°)? I would imagine arbitary degrees would require clamping mechanisms (hex screws, maybe kipp handles) that apply pressure to achieve the tilt angle but could possibly introduce vibration or instability. Specific angles could be keyed into the incline so when locked into place, the shape of the structure holds the tilt angle and the lock maintains position.

 

Of course, I think lots of operators bypass this need by simply adjusting fore/aft on the sled to create the tilt, but having a solution to offer that same flexibility as tilting topstages might be an interesting idea.

[Jarrett P. Morgan]

 

Would we like it to achieve any arbitrary degree of tilt down (or tilt up, depending on how we tie it to the camera), or specific degrees of tilt (1°, 2°, ..., 5°)? I would imagine arbitary degrees would require clamping mechanisms (hex screws, maybe kipp handles) that apply pressure to achieve the tilt angle but could possibly introduce vibration or instability. Specific angles could be keyed into the incline so when locked into place, the shape of the structure holds the tilt angle and the lock maintains position.

 

Of course, I think lots of operators bypass this need by simply adjusting fore/aft on the sled to create the tilt, but having a solution to offer that same flexibility as tilting topstages might be an interesting idea.

I have been mulling that exact thing over the last couple of days since I came up with the idea. The geared head ones are incremental, but I think that perhaps with a geared adjustment (like the fore/aft adjustment on the DB) combined with a locking mechanism using tension or pressure it could work well. The simplest way would probably be using specific angles.

 

I bypass the need like you said now, but it could be a nice option, especially for stairs or really low mode stuff looking up (the two places that immediately come to mind)

[Shawn Wang]

I want anything that keeps steadicam op as a highly advanced position with years of training.

 

not anything that shortens the process. it will generate more ops like larry mcconkey (with help from technology of course). and the rate will be $12 bucks per hour.

 

--

anyways, back to topic, for now, best to have, is the Tiffen's M-1 brand new tilt plate with motor (no motor in NAB, but I think its easy as pie for the current design). and make it universal, like their WHM level. Fine adjustments, no play, no vibration !

[Jarrett P. Morgan]

I want anything that keeps steadicam op as a highly advanced position with years of training.

 

not anything that shortens the process. it will generate more ops like larry mcconkey (with help from technology of course). and the rate will be $12 bucks per hour.

 

--

anyways, back to topic, for now, best to have, is the Tiffen's M-1 brand new tilt plate with motor (no motor in NAB, but I think its easy as pie for the current design). and make it universal, like their WHM level. Fine adjustments, no play, no vibration !

The only issue with the way the M-1 (and all of the Tiffen tilt plates) mount is it is permanently (or all the others are, the M-1 may be removable) mounted between the top-stage and the post. This adds height when you don't need the tilt stage (thus why I would like one that drops in only when you need it)

[Brian Freesh]

not anything that shortens the process. it will generate more ops like larry mcconkey (with help from technology of course).

 

That's a huge insult to Larry, I'm sure you didn't mean it to be. :)

 

Steadicam operating isn't just about moving the camera smoothly and level through space. You also have to be a good camera operator. Larry is a great camera operator and brings with him not just his ability to move the camera smooth and level, but also his immense technical know-how and storytelling ability. He can solve technical and aesthetic problems creatively, adding to the story along the way.

 

Most of us today can "get the shot" we're directed to get, Larry enhances them (as well as many other top ops), he makes them what they are. No amount of additional gadgets is going to turn a newbie into an experienced, creative, storyteller like Larry.

 

Larry also gets time on set, something few of us get anymore. Even the best of us will be limited to the time we have available for solving a timing issue, or enhancing the story, etc...

 

I'm down for anything that helps us think about the gear less and concentrate on the shot more.

[Shawn Wang]

I didnt mean to insult anyone. I apologize for that.

 

I was trying to say more and more people can get perfect shots without years of practicing

Edited May 7, 2014 by Shawn Wang

[Shawn Wang]

for some reason I can't edit or delete that post.

 

I will msg moderators to do it

 

really really sorry ! I didn't mean it

[Afton Grant]

I'm not going to delete it because then any post referring to it would seem out of place. Your last two posts with the apology and clarification I think are plenty. Thanks!

[Brian Freesh]

I didnt mean to insult anyone. I apologize for that.

 

Like I said, I didn't think you meant it to be insulting. I wasn't calling you out, just using it to make a point.

 

I explained why it was insulting, it's the same reason you're wrong about this ;)

I was trying to say more and more people can get perfect shots without years of practicing

 

I believe you need to be a sustaining member to edit your posts, could be wrong. I wouldn't worry about it here as no harm was done.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I was trying to say more and more people can get perfect shots without years of practicing

Just because your horizon is level and you have tamed roll and headroom doesn't mean that you can get perfect shots or are a great operator. And I would hazard to say has you missing the point of what an operator does.

 

Operating is about framing and timing and feel and emotion. It's about what you do between the marks that makes you an operator.

[Shawn Wang]

Just because your horizon is level and you have tamed roll and headroom doesn't mean that you can get perfect shots or are a great operator. And I would hazard to say has you missing the point of what an operator does.

 

Operating is about framing and timing and feel and emotion. It's about what you do between the marks that makes you an operator.

 

I think this time you get me wrong

 

by perfect I mean everything. not only horizons and movements, but also how it helps the story.

 

for me, Larry Mcconkey's shots are perfect, from every aspect.

 

he is my hero and I believe what jerry holway said to me in the workshop, he is the best in the world.

 

 

---

 

and back to my original topic, yes, i was referring to a technology that doesn't exist and not possible now (thats why I said its off topic since its not possible to be "the next"),

 

when technology can help to shoot something straight from director's imagination without compromising, and able to duplicate same performance each take, go through all tight spaces, I don't see why its not perfect.

 

and I apologize for being too futuristic, but I said its off topic in the first place. (and i said back to the topic).

 

--

 

again, i didn't mean to insult anyone, Im a just new op, sorry guys for messing up a good discussion.

Edited May 7, 2014 by Shawn Wang

[Janice Arthur]

Hi all;

 

I think the heated hand grip would be good item!

 

I think personal 3D printers will spell the end of waiting for replacement parts; you'll get a schematic sent to your printer and you'll print your own part.

 

You'll also design and create your own parts like a bracket for your specific job.

 

Lastly I've had this fantasy for a long while about solar panels over the flat surfaces that are efficient enough to charge our batteries or even some accessories. Imagine sitting your rig in the sun and charging your batteries ! How about a shroud around the rig at lunch covered in solar panels efficient enough to actually provide useable energy? Right now they're not efficient enough to g useful.

 

Janice

 

Have a good 2014

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

"he is my hero and I believe what jerry holway said to me in the workshop, he is the best in the world."

 

Ouch, more insults to a whole group of past and present world class operators....you should get a 12 step for the whole you are currently digging....

[Shawn Wang]

"he is my hero and I believe what jerry holway said to me in the workshop, he is the best in the world."

 

Ouch, more insults to a whole group of past and present world class operators....you should get a 12 step for the whole you are currently digging....

 

nope, I don't think so, this is my belief and my taste.

 

come on.

[Thomas English]

Lighter cameras, shorter posts, less batteries.