Premium Members Bryan Fowler Posted October 12, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 So, I figured I'd post a few words about this weeks shoot. It was my first music video, and on a shoestring budget. We were using an SDX 900, and neither the DP, or myself had ever seen one in person before. I only had a few posts here at the forum to go by. We set it up in 24PA and it really looked good. I'm sure we could have tweaked a bit and improved some, but they were happy, so I tried not to meddle. We never did get the video out to have framelines and camera info though. *shrugs* They wanted to see what was going on, so they gave me a tether. It was a big'ole stiff cable, but i'm lucky I had a tiny BNC to hold. So it didn't end up being to bad. The first shots were pretty simple. Medium zoom and a little slide to the side. After about 30 min working on a ver variations on that shot, I bumped something in my pocket, and blew one of the takes. I couldn't remember what I had left in my pocket, (I usually empty everything) so I patted my leg to see what was in it. the top of my leg was numb. I'm not a seasoned operator. I've had my EFP rig about 6 months, and been moderatly active with it. And for sure been in it more than 30min, but this is the first time that had happened. I'm assuming my oversize vest was pressing on the "leg" nerve. After a 5min trip to the bathroom, it was back to normal. One of the last shots of the night required a vechile mount on the back of my ranger, (my wife driving) with the producer in the back holding a 10-15foot sprinkler system. It was to simulate rain, and for what it was, it worked...i think. The shot was a tracking shot of the actress running through people...in the rain. I protected the sled with trashbags wrapped around everything, and gaff taped to the post, and other things. For the LCD, Ame (wife) got some lexan, and we taped that real well to the front, and plastic on the back the camera had a jacket. The DP was protecting the lens with some old Black Foamcore I had in the truck. In the photo, nothing is holding me, or the camera in. The socket block is on a short post, on some plywood, that is clamped to the tailgate. Then I sat on it. It's something that came with the rig, and worked great. But isn't really same. I'm going to work on fixing it up, or buying an India Mount... I was wrapped at 4:30 am, but the rest of the crew stayed on longer. Things I learned from this shoot: -I need a cart, Magliner with Shelves, or Liberator..whatever. Something to carry all my sheet with. -Low budget is ok, but estimate my profit before agreeing to do it. -Carry tools..hammer, tin snips, wrenchs, etc.. -I need a new vest, or modify this EFP vest to fit me better. -Naturally, Jerry H was right, changing shoes is nice. -My "long" shot isn't quite what I want it to be. -I need a heavier LCD. -I'd like a frameline generator -My posture seems alright, but I lean back to much A couple of photos. My wife took them in between helping me, and driving. She liked my plastic skirt...er... kilt... yeah.. kilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members BJMcDonnell SOC Posted October 12, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Hey Bryan, You said you needed a heavier LCD. Talk to David Ellis. David has a transvideo LCD and he needed more weight. He went to Modern Studio Supply here in Los Angeles. Senno ( I think thats how you spell his name) made him a custom plate that attached to the back of his LCD adding more weight and it looks like it is part of the monitor. Maybe David will post a picture for you. BJ McDonnell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Imran Naqvi Posted October 12, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 So, I figured I'd post a few words about this weeks shoot. It was my first music video, and on a shoestring budget. We were using an SDX 900, and neither the DP, or myself had ever seen one in person before. I only had a few posts here at the forum to go by. We set it up in 24PA and it really looked good. I'm sure we could have tweaked a bit and improved some, but they were happy, so I tried not to meddle. We never did get the video out to have framelines and camera info though. *shrugs* They wanted to see what was going on, so they gave me a tether. It was a big'ole stiff cable, but i'm lucky I had a tiny BNC to hold. So it didn't end up being to bad. The first shots were pretty simple. Medium zoom and a little slide to the side. After about 30 min working on a ver variations on that shot, I bumped something in my pocket, and blew one of the takes. I couldn't remember what I had left in my pocket, (I usually empty everything) so I patted my leg to see what was in it. the top of my leg was numb. I'm not a seasoned operator. I've had my EFP rig about 6 months, and been moderatly active with it. And for sure been in it more than 30min, but this is the first time that had happened. I'm assuming my oversize vest was pressing on the "leg" nerve. After a 5min trip to the bathroom, it was back to normal. One of the last shots of the night required a vechile mount on the back of my ranger, (my wife driving) with the producer in the back holding a 10-15foot sprinkler system. It was to simulate rain, and for what it was, it worked...i think. The shot was a tracking shot of the actress running through people...in the rain. I protected the sled with trashbags wrapped around everything, and gaff taped to the post, and other things. For the LCD, Ame (wife) got some lexan, and we taped that real well to the front, and plastic on the back the camera had a jacket. The DP was protecting the lens with some old Black Foamcore I had in the truck. In the photo, nothing is holding me, or the camera in. The socket block is on a short post, on some plywood, that is clamped to the tailgate. Then I sat on it. It's something that came with the rig, and worked great. But isn't really same. I'm going to work on fixing it up, or buying an India Mount... I was wrapped at 4:30 am, but the rest of the crew stayed on longer. Things I learned from this shoot: -I need a cart, Magliner with Shelves, or Liberator..whatever. Something to carry all my sheet with. -Low budget is ok, but estimate my profit before agreeing to do it. -Carry tools..hammer, tin snips, wrenchs, etc.. -I need a new vest, or modify this EFP vest to fit me better. -Naturally, Jerry H was right, changing shoes is nice. -My "long" shot isn't quite what I want it to be. -I need a heavier LCD. -I'd like a frameline generator -My posture seems alright, but I lean back to much A couple of photos. My wife took them in between helping me, and driving. She liked my plastic skirt...er... kilt... yeah.. kilt. DUDE! How you doing? Glad to hear you're doing well. Sounds like a nice straightforward no money shoot to me. Not sure how much you need to mod your vest, but I've modded mine to have buckles on the lower section, just means you can release the pressure on your legs between shots, without having to do anything more than dock or hand the rig to an assistant (if you have one). As for the heavier monitor, you could always have a stainless steel plate made to fit between your monitor and the monitor arm to get a little more mass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Bryan Fowler Posted October 12, 2005 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Imran, hey man! Yeah, I'm not doing to bad. Trying to balance full time job with part time steadicam work. All with out advertising. I can't shoot myself in the foot just yet. If you can email me some photos of your vest mods, I'd love it. I have some buckles from an ultra vest. As detailed as you can be, without taking up to much of your time. Actually, I'll PM you my idisk info, and you could post them there if you want. I got an LCD from the flyer. Peter A helped me decide which one to get. It's been working great. I wish it had framelines though. I ended up going to a tyre (tire) store, and asked for their used lead weights. They had a bucket, and I took the flat ones, wrapped them up, and attached them to the monitor. I think about 1/2 a Kg total weight.. and DynBal was still not quite there.. but much better. I need to make a moveable arm for the monitor. right now it's the single EFP arm.. can't move up or down without moving in or out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Manyluk Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Hey Bryan, Why don't you take your LCD and add an Anton Bauer plate on the back? Then pop on a dionic 90 and you have a) extra weight, and B) power to run that LCD for, what? 8 hours? I finally bought a new support arm for my EFP. Picked up the XCS dual rail system and it is, of course, awesome. The only thing is you may have to change out is the foam in your road case, or get a longer one if you want your sled to fit with the mount on it. Yoou have to leave the bottom post down aprox 3 - 4 inches to fit the mount, making it longer than the road case. Minor concern, really. Also check out the Baer Bel monitor mount too... looks good I was also thinking of buying one of the T-shaped dual-mount anton bauer plates to add 2 batteries (at 12 volts) off the back, so I could run 3 batteries in total. It would also serve to move the battery weight farther back to offset my considerably heavier new marell monitor. I'll let you know how this works... Fly safe! Brett Manyluk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Bryan Fowler Posted October 12, 2005 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Hey thanks Brett, I'll look into the extra battery idea. Another option is to get a monitor like the transvideo III or whatever. I think it weighs more, and has framelines. But powering the LCD with the added weight is a cool idea. I had a quick look around for the XCS dual rail system, but can't find it. Where did you get yours from, and what was the cost? I have Hytron 120s now, and they seem to be ok to power what I usually have on the rig. D-beta and Video stuff. Fowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members charlesneufeld Posted October 12, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Hey Bryan, Here is a link to the monitor mount. http://www.xcsinc.com/ultimate/ult_compnts_3.html It is sweet, I will upgrade my PRO2 mount to that one once I get a new TB6 monitor...one day :P I second the idea of not putting dead weight in the LCD. Throw up a mount for a bettery or onboard recorder. Make it functional weight. later ~C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gustavo Triviño Posted October 15, 2005 Report Share Posted October 15, 2005 Hi Guys: I´d like to see the Modified vest photos too. I have an EFP and I´m thinking in modificate it. If is possible Imran, post the photos here or please send me an email. With the EFP, I prefer use the post not too long, but sometimes when use heavies cameras I don´t have a chance. I thought 2 posibilities: 1) Add an Anton Bauer Gold Mount to use a batterie only like "dead weight" on the base of the rig. Like Byan, I use Hytron 120, and I think that this model are very heavies in order to add weight. I think the Trimpac are better. 2) If you see down, The EFP has in the back off -in the low part of the d-box- two holes to screw something. I was thinking in make with alluminium and after anodize it, a sqaure wih two holes of almost 15 x15 cm and 3 cm, that allow add almost 1 Kg. another possibilitie like Charlie said is buy a Video record onboard, but in order to add weight is not the better choice, but is a beautyfull toy! Maybe an Archos is comming... Best, Gus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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