Lav Bodnaruk Posted August 29, 2005 Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Hello, I am very new to this forum as well as the steadicam operting concept, but do wish to get into it more, for as an indi film director I just adore the smootheness of the shots of a steadicam and glidecam. Currently I am researching for my 16mm film (shot on the very very heavy 16BL - 9kg [20lbs]) and am trying to get my head around some of the rigs that could help me get the job done. With that here is my question. I have come across this rig on eBay and have failed to identify which brand it might be. My German is pretty poor (as I do not speak it) so I only manged to understand bits of it via Altavista Translations. The Seller himself told me it was a steadicam model and that it cost 7000euros originaly? I could not spot the logos anywhere on it and thought that perhaps someone from here could help me identify it? Also, for one to use the rig that is meant for cameras of a lighter weight, on a set-up that is a bit heavier, what kind of adjustments must be made? I will try and research this question by searching the forum here... Is there a place that 2nd hand rigs are sold at? I noticed there were few bits and pieces being sold here on the forums classifieds section, but was wondering if anyone had complete rigs for sale and/or if there is a place in Brisbane Australia that deals with similar things... Almost forgot, you may view the item in question here: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 Thanks, LB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Afton Grant Posted August 29, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Lav, I believe there are a few active members on this forum from Australia that could probably help you out in further detail in regards to local merchants and other activity. I do know there are workshops held in Melbourne. ...I just did a quick check on the SOA website and it lists an upcoming workshop at the University of Melbourne in January 2006. Something like that is strongly recommended. http://www.steadicam-ops.com/workshoplist.shtml As far as that rig on eBay goes, I'm pretty sure it's not an actual Steadicam. Maybe in the translation somewhere, the seller was trying to say it's Steadicam-like, which is how most similar systems are advertised. If he is definitely trying to pass it off as authentic, I would beware. Brands aside, that specific rig doesn't look like it would be right for what you need. If you're looking to fly a 20lb camera, that eBay model is definitely too small. When you're dealing with equipment as expensive as a film camera and whatever system is supporting it, you want to be sure nothing is going to fail. It's just not worth the risk. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jason Torbitt Posted August 29, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 As mentioned, you could either hire an operator & rig for your shoot, or if you planned on doing it yourself, then 100% take a workshop. The only issue is that practice is hugely important after the workshop, so you would need regular access to a rig, which sounds like it may be difficult. Rigs that can are used most for these heavier cameras are the Master Series, Ultra, and the newer models (see www.steadicam.com for specs) There are also other options, such as the Glidecam Gold, which will get the job done. The ebay model isn't a 'Steadicam' brand model, it's homemade. It probably cost him that amount of money to buy the materials and build the thing. Good luck with your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lav Bodnaruk Posted September 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 Thanks for your help guys, I am looking at this entire thing differently since this forum. Getting a pro to do the job for this flick is a better option after all. Later down the track, the course might be a good idea for me, if the budget and time allow it... I would still be intersted in the purchosing factor, for owing a rig after the production would be a good way to allow myself to practise (in conjuntion with the proper training). So Ill keep my eyes open for any good sales, and hopefully will hear from some reps in Brisbane, Oz - that i left messages with. Thanks to everyone that e-mailed me. This forum is brilliant! :D Cheers! Lav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members BJMcDonnell SOC Posted September 3, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 Don't forget that there are also companies for the "Big Cameras" like, PRO GPI, XCS, and MK-V. But I would suggest you hire a operator who owns and operates all the time. Trying to do it all yourself can get a bit crazy. BJ McDonnell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted September 4, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 4, 2005 Don't forget that there are also companies for the "Big Cameras" like, PRO GPI, XCS, and MK-V. But I would suggest you hire a operator who owns and operates all the time. Trying to do it all yourself can get a bit crazy. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Perhaps someone should tell this to Robert Rodriguez. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted September 5, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 5, 2005 He did on "Sin City"... But try and find another name then his in the credits. Erwin "No it was not me..." Landau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brad Grimmett Posted September 6, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Apparently he hires a steadicam operator on every movie he does. He just always takes the credit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members BJMcDonnell SOC Posted September 6, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Actually, I did see him operating on the behind the scenes DVD of "Once Upon A Time In Mexico". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Robert Eder Posted September 7, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 btw. the ebay rig was a hommade replica from the abc handyman. ABC Greetings, Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted September 7, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 He does operate and he does admit that he is not very good at it. He usually hires an operator and let's him sit on the truck (not on set) and uses his gear. Once he runs out of steam or the level of the shoot supersizes his, or the shoot is to dangerous ("From dusk till dawn" Dave Cameides did the walk out as the Gas station blows up) he gives the shot to the operator... but always keeps the main credit as operator. Whatever... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brad Grimmett Posted September 7, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 He does operate and he does admit that he is not very good at it. Whatever... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Wow, that's stubborn. You'd think as a director he would want his film to be the best it could be. Seems like he's going against that by doing any of the operating himself. He must really want that credit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted September 8, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted September 8, 2005 And writing credit... and directing credit... and DP credit... and editing credit... and producer credit... and song writer credit... and performer credit... and Special effects superviser... and I'm already running out of credits.... he had apperently 35 or so credits on Spy Kids 3... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lav Bodnaruk Posted September 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2005 And writing credit...and directing credit... and DP credit... and editing credit... and producer credit... and song writer credit... and performer credit... and Special effects superviser... and I'm already running out of credits.... he had apperently 35 or so credits on Spy Kids 3... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is very interesting... more then it is wrong it is rude... i read an article in which he spoke of El Mariachi, his entire point throughout it was that if you want anything done right then you gotto do it yourself... which is what i mean by rude, you dont do that in a team sport, no one likes a striker that wants to drible through the entire defence team. Bench Him! Still, you got to respect him... it;s kind of a double standard and my post makes no sense. Thanks for the feedback on the rig. I saw one since that claimed to be Mini Steadicam. Didnt have time to post it here for you guys to see, but it went for $2000USD or something... it actualy had Steadicam writen all over it and it did look like a real deal "Mini Steadicam" it was called... nice condition... auction ended early with someone paying up BuyItNow price :D Thats very cheap though aint it? Cheers, Lav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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