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magliner steadi cart


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Robert, That has to be the about the coolest setup I've ever seen! I would assume the cases are travel ready? Do you know the weight? Is it comparable to Innerspace cases?

 

Thank you Brandon! Yes, they are travel ready though I have not weighed them yet. They're not super lightweight but still manageable for me and I have very little upper body strength, think skinny cyclist arms. For a 50% upcharge they have a 50% lighter material to make them out of but I was at my budgetary limit or threshold on these. I can't speak to whether they compare to Innerspace, I went there for bid, spent 45 minutes with the guy and he never got back to me; they looked swamped. The guys at A&S actually loved that I brought in the cart and kit and gave me a lot of personalized attention and follow up. I'm perfectly happy with Art at A&S Case and I'm one picky SOB.

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Does anyone know of guys on the east coast that make custom cases like Rob's or Erwin's? or is it just one of those specialties that can only survive in cali?

 

I've been thinking more and more about getting a cart made up like their's. I'll likely go with a backstage because of the ability to break it down for shipping.

 

I'm building my package up and figure why not just get the custom cases upfront instead of buying a bunch more pelicans and then spending the money again one day on the custom ones.

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Robert, That's a nice set up -- I was thinking of something similar to go on my yeager jr cart because my normal cart is too awkward/heavy for dayplaying. I'd only want drawers on half the lower shelf so the vest could sit on the other half.

 

As far as getting cases made, I'm sure you could get the dimensions/measurements and make them anywhere...or contact the place that made Robert's or Erwin's amd have them make the same one for you.

 

good luck.

 

rb

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Jon,

 

Steven Zuch is the New York A&J rep and a great guy to collaborate with. He is also a working video/playback guy so he understands working in the field.

He can be reached at 646-772-0420. Tell him I sent you.

 

On another note, careful about using a Cali cart here in NYC. I've been tempted when I see the amazing pictures here, but in person, they are BIG & HEAVY. Not something that lends itself well to NYC style shooting. Once upon a time, I had a magliner Sr cart (Filmtools version) and I heard too much bitching from assistants about the size and weight. It would not fit into many NYC elevators, etc. As a result, it was left outside on many occasions. The fact of the matter is, the A.C.s were right. I've since down-sized to the Jr. version and I use all soft bags (I have hard cases for shipping) and Pelicans. The cart is much smaller and lighter allowing it to fit into many more locations. When we do have to leave it outside, the appropriate soft bags and Pelicans can come in. Modular is key in this whacky city of ours and having sexy drawers for all your accessories is a bit inflexible for this neck of the woods.

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Alec makes a great point on figuring out what works for you and the style / location of the jobs you do. I would have never thought about the tight older spaces and elevators you would run into in NYC but it makes perfect sense. Other than The Palms Casino where I do a lot of work, all the locations here are set up to move lots of people and equipment so we have plenty of room except when we're all lined up down the corridors outside the suites / penthouse units.

 

Steve Fracol recently mentioned a job he did in deep sand and how he moved some kit into soft tote bags off the truck to ferry out to the location. I've been looking at the Harrison Totes for that since they zip closed.

 

My Las Vegas / LA world is mostly day-playing or multi-day playing and it is a rare luxury to actually have a camera truck or location that I can leave my cart / kit set up overnight. I stuck with my Jr. cart though for size, weight and the ability for me to manage / lift it into my truck. Plus, a bigger cart would only mean I'd take more needless kit and more weight. Eric made a good point to me a few months ago to thin things out and it was great advice. Why was I carrying four 12' BNC's for every job?

 

I've had a lot of questions whether the price for the cases included the cart and the answer is no. The cases were $2500 and the cart was something I already had from Backstage.

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a good point by Alec on being small and mobile -- My cart isn't that big but it can be a pain for dayplaying and certain locations. I have a yeager jr and bags to go guerrilla, but 90% of the time I'm on a stage or cart friendy locations/exteriors.

rb

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Jon,

 

Steven Zuch is the New York A&J rep and a great guy to collaborate with. He is also a working video/playback guy so he understands working in the field.

He can be reached at 646-772-0420. Tell him I sent you.

 

On another note, careful about using a Cali cart here in NYC. I've been tempted when I see the amazing pictures here, but in person, they are BIG & HEAVY. Not something that lends itself well to NYC style shooting. Once upon a time, I had a magliner Sr cart (Filmtools version) and I heard too much bitching from assistants about the size and weight. It would not fit into many NYC elevators, etc. As a result, it was left outside on many occasions. The fact of the matter is, the A.C.s were right. I've since down-sized to the Jr. version and I use all soft bags (I have hard cases for shipping) and Pelicans. The cart is much smaller and lighter allowing it to fit into many more locations. When we do have to leave it outside, the appropriate soft bags and Pelicans can come in. Modular is key in this whacky city of ours and having sexy drawers for all your accessories is a bit inflexible for this neck of the woods.

 

Alec,

You are a voice of reason. Those guys on the west coast have those fancy carts and umbrellas with drink holders it makes a guy all big eyed. Thinking about the nightmare locations i've shot to many times to admit in the city. Honestly to many productions have no idea what 20 people and film gear really is. "Oh this one bedroom 5th floor spiralling staircase with the 3x3 broken elevator will be perfect"

 

I do like the jr filmtools cart and having one hard case made with draws, handle and wheels could work. I like the idea of being able to lock a few things up. There can be sticky hands on a set.

 

Does anyone know if the murphy cart shown in the beggining of this forum is still around? Its the upright cart like a sound guy usually totes.

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well shooting in NYC certainly must be a different experience, I think there's alot more room here -- plus we probably spend a bit more time on stages.

 

I used a murphy cart once and it seemed a bit wanky -- so i made soething similar out of 1" speedrail and 2 backstage 8" tire conversions. The newer incarnation isn't any bigger, but MUCH heavier with the drawers and being steel.

 

Luckily transpo is always cool to come get it and drop it off (usually 9 months later).

rb

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Those guys on the west coast have those fancy carts and umbrellas

 

Here in Vegas when it's 110+ and you're working outside in direct sun that silly little umbrella makes a huge difference as does a nice big rimmed hat. I have an EZ-Up tent that gets a lot of action as well.

 

By the same token, we only get about 3.5 inches of rain in a year (last year only 1.75 inches) so my rain covers are really dust and sand covers.

 

I can't even imagine the logistical challenges of operating in NYC on a daily basis.

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Hey Louis... add a bazooka on it and you don't even have to carry it... you can just walk beside it... but at that point, just go with the handsfree...

 

 

Ron, liked your little cart... where was that, Grey's Anatomy?

 

 

Murphy Cart... not so sure about that one. Looks a little wonky. Do you really have to pull out the legs every time you want to balance???

 

 

 

Erwin

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post-45-1210836393_thumb.png

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I used to have a Magliner Junior, actually 3 in 7 different configurations over the first couple of years I was operating Steadicam. I was restricted by my vehicle which was a VW Rabbit (Golf I) and the cart had to fit behind the front seats plus cases etc... anyhow...

 

Once I had a vehicle that would suite me and my equipment better I thought oh great lets make a bigger cart...

As I found out my cart was fitting every little idi bidi elevator in Downtown LA. We have a bunch of Art deco buildings with little units... but my cart always fit. So when I designed my new cart I just added the lengths under the rig. So with the Rig in place the new cart is virtually identical in size as my Junior... but the Rig is protected.

 

Again the cases... I just filled the space under the top shelf as when you put your cases underneath, there is always dead space...

 

 

As always everybody has a different approach to there kit, it has to work for you and compliment your working style, or it's just hindering you to be efficient....

 

 

Just my 2 cents,

 

 

Erwin

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Ron, liked your little cart... where was that, Grey's Anatomy?

Erwin

 

Hey Erwin,

yep that was Grey's. Still use it and love it -- but there are a bunch of things I'm always wanting to do to it (when I'm off work I'm too busy with the kid, truck or house though).

 

here's a picture of the first incarnation I made back in '01:

post-98-1210866537_thumb.jpg

 

when I saw Greg Bubb's gigantor cart with the drawers, I had to have drawers too!

post-98-1210866618_thumb.jpg

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Saw Robert's setup in Las Vegas recently and it really is impressive. He has added an umbrella mount as well and over there I'm sure it will really come in handy. How about a DIRECT TV dish and monitor? I just love watching hunting shows while surrounded by the usual squimish Hollywood types.

 

Saw Erwin's cart out in front of the Kodak awhile back and it too is great. You were busy so I didn't stop to visit. I think your cage around the sled is a great idea.

 

Eastwood and Ted Ashton both have nifty rolling stands that are super stable. No storage but great for stage work after the rig has been built. If you're out there Ted, post some pics.

 

Torch

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