Steadicar--first outing in LA

[Charles Papert]

After seeing the Steadicar at the Stabilizer Expo some weeks ago, I was impressed enough to order it for a scene we shot today on "Key & Peele". It turned out to be the maiden voyage of this piece of gear in Los Angeles. Everything went very well. While the Griptrix offers more flexibility in mounting options (especially for outboard gear such as lights), swapping sides for different shooting directions as well as height is so much faster with the Steadicar that it reminds me of the paradigm Teddy came up with when the first Donkey Box emerged--something like "I'm saving time I didn't realize I was wasting".

 

For more specifics from an operator standpoint, perhaps Rich Davis can chime in further. Thanks due to Ozzie Silvera for forwarding awareness of the setup and helping facilitate the process.

[RonBaldwin]

Pretty sweet! Now I know why Rich was asking about the socket block/klassen harness :-)

[Janice Arthur]

Charles

 

Looks great

 

I just wonder about tipping factor w the rig and arm out to the side?

 

Are u limited on heights and speeds and handling?

 

The arm is very impressive. I always wonder because all those forces are amplified at speed.

 

Janice

[Charles Papert]

Jan:

 

I too was concerned with the arm out the side when I saw pictures. Logically, it seems like it should just fall over, doesn't it? Yesterday at one point Bernard (the driver, and designer of the system) stepped away and the operators remained, both on one side as seen in the pictures. I guess the low center of gravity and the weight of the batteries makes it all work.

 

I can't speak to what happens when taking fast corners or working on sideways inclines etc. I know that the various generations of this have been used for years overseas and Bernard described some fast moving shots he had done with the arm swinging around, so it seems well tested.

[Janice Arthur]

Charles;

 

We all know Overseas physics are different than western physics . . .

 

Have a great week.

 

Jan

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

2nd one is currently en route to monster remotes up in the North East. Maybe Alec, Philip or Ron will get a ride soon.

 

3rd one is being assembled. and there are more ordered.

[William Demeritt]

I like the last photo, looks very cool, glad it worked out for you guys!

 

Who's the PA on the left with the Burger King headset?

[Charles Papert]

You know what they say Will; once in a boy band, always in a boy band.

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

I'm excited because Monster Remotes is getting one here in NYC.

 

In addition to the Steadicam mount, they are making an option to attach a Libra head to an arm.

 

Good times.

[Charles Papert]

I could see this being a great tool for those "because-we-can" handheld gimbal shots also, with the operator having the ability to step on and off, take advantage of the boom range etc.

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

Bernard hopes to one day see a North America where every major city has a Steadicar or 4 at it's disposal, speaking of which I think I'll train on it myself in a couple of months, can't hurt and I can then help train other folks.

[Lawrence Karman]

Where do the focus pullers sit?

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

The Steadicar is normally just meant for one operator up front, so the Focus puller sits next to the driver and can watch a monitor mounted in a yoke on the 5/8" spud in front of him/her. Charles and his crew "ammended" the steadicar that day...very well I might ad. I guess they had good wireless from the steadicar to the AC's.

 

If they use the Visilink HD transmitter, the AC can sit anywhere within about 500' walls or no walls.

[William Demeritt]

Where do the focus pullers sit?

These days? Video village.

[Charles Papert]

Um yeah...here's my AC's hard at work last week! Hey, I'm all for comfort, who I am I to disparage. yhe goods are tack sharp so whatev.

 

On the Steadicar day we used my Bolt 2000 on Steadi and it worked great from the center of an 1/8 mile

oval loop. Dave the B cam op pulled his own focus. We never planned to put two cameras on the Steadicar or I would have added a second tx.

 

We gave Bernard a 7" monitor on the spud so

he could regulate his speed to

the actors.