Premium Members Norbert von der Heidt Posted January 18, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 Hi guys and gals :) I guess it's about time I introduced myself to the rest of the rest of the mob. I've made a few posts and it's only fair that you know where I'm coming from with some of my comments etc. My name is Norbert von der Heidt and I presently live along with my wife, two dogs and a feisty cat in Cairns, Queensland, the tropical jewel in Australia's crown of great places to live. Anyway, I got into broadcast television in the late 70's via cable tv in Toronto, Canada. I worked for 8 years as a freelance lighting cameraman + director + technician + editor in both N.A.B.E.T. and I.A.T.S.E. unions. During that time I traveled extensively throughout Canada, the USA and the Caribbean working on a wide variety of projects before migrating to Australia in 1993. Fifty percent of my work was multicamera mobile (O.B. van) based in either sports or TV series work. My great "claim to fame" was that I was one of the 3 camera jocks on the popular and internationally syndicated "Twenty Minute Workout" in the mid 80's. Our company was in a major studio complex that was host to many features and I'd always sneak over and watch the big boys doing their thing. Feature production always fascinated me with the time, care and attention that was required. Over the course of a few years I was involved in the EPK production for a number of films including; Alan Aldas "A New Life", "Short Circuit II", David Cronenberg's "The Fly" and Cher's "Suspect". During the past fifteen years in Oz I've been a little more laid back and I got into professional photography as well, mainly because there isn't a heck of a lot of high end TV or film work originating in North Queensland. I'm now the casual (part-time) photographer for the Cairns Post newspaper along with continuing my local commercial, documentary and underwater video production services. Specialty camera services is where I want to work, which includes my 7m jib with a Vaizoom MC100 remote head and as soon as I get my completed vest (that's another story) I'm going to be making a push into southern markets. My first experience with a Steadicam came while I was a staff DP/cameraman with TVOntario in 1990. I got them to pay for a two day course and I was hooked. Whenever TVO had a need for Steadicam in it's productions, they hired an EFP and I was the man who flew it. In 2003 I finally got frustrated by the lack of challenges in the local market and convinced the "Boss" to let me get a Basson 800. Unfortunately, it had many shortcomings which weren't apparent from their website. These I had to rectify (I'd be happy to share my mods which would apply to other Basson models) these before I considered it even marginally acceptable for pro work. After two years, I was ready to step up again and have bought a secondhand "Make an Offer" sled from MK-V, a Pro Gear vest (see my other posts!), a Glidecam Eclipse monitor and a SteadyRig "Silver Spring" arm. It's a bit of a Heinz 57mongrel but I love it. Well that about it for now. I'm 53 this year and I hope there's a few more years of flying left in me! Cheers Norbert :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Burton Posted January 18, 2006 Report Share Posted January 18, 2006 It's a pleasure to meet you Norbert ;) My names Matt and you will sometimes see me getting a bashing from the bigger boys for being young and foolish. Hope to see you around. -matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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