Premium Members John Buzz Moyer Posted February 26, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 We had a flash back scene to shoot that the director wanted to use infra red film. We had the pressure plate modified for the thickness difference from the chosen stock on the platinum (the B camera). At that time the plate was modified, there were no shots requiring steadicam to be in infrared. On that cold (10-15 degrees) and damp night, it was decided to shoot a steadicam shot at a base 6 frames per second with a portrait lens, and random speed changes at chosen times. The location was an old concrete plant roughly three acres in size with a 60 foot shear shale wall on one side. The talent was in a pick up truck roughly 20 foot from the base of the wall in the center of the enormous space. This allowed the shot to arc in wide passes and aproach the driver from long distances. Because of the slow speed I was concerned with steadiness when it was projected at normal speed so.. on went the gyros (k-4's). My preston sysytem was not one that could do the required speed change so...on went the fitzac ( with the required motors). The only interface ( in resonable time) for the Master to panavision mount ( fx later made up a wonderful piece for me) was the auto base (not light). Realizing that 6 frames a second is 4 times slower than normal speed, I was in for a llllonnng continuos take with quite alot of additional weight. I think we did four passes, each pass was roughly four minutes requiring continuous usable footage. If it weren't for a long time friend and Grip who literally held me up for the eternal lock off at the end of each pass, I would have collapsed in embarrassment and shame. The reward was seeing the entire shot in the theatre, although cut up a little for suspence and intrigue ( we all need that in our movies). I don't really know the full weight, but I suspect someone will figure it out. My master arm was at its max setting and I had to use some surgical tubing wrapped around the bones on the upper arm to give a little more support. Thanks for reading... Buzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted February 27, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Charles Papert told me a story... Way back he did a whole feature with the GII and his 3A... his Achiles tendents started to part from the bone after a couple of weeks with non stop Steadi abuse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted February 28, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Found a picture of the broken off Mag... Look under: "Journals" Panaflex Gold Actually just look below, I just merged the posts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted February 28, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Ooops... There goes the mag... As said in General Discussions (Panaflex Gold... Heavy?) The Mag throught is only glued on. And when you try to turn it upside down, then something like that can happen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted February 28, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Check out the looooong Center Post... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brad Hruboska Posted February 29, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 29, 2004 It seems to me that Mike Hall once told me that the panavision mags are almost a break away design to protect the body, the rollers are supposed to protect the film path....anyone from Pana to confirm this? :ph34r: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Campbell Posted March 5, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 Four slender screws hold the throat to the mag and yes they do sheer with extreme stress (such as love tap from stunt driver on a non operator set up on track). Keep that in mind when on O'Connor with fluid dialed up to 9s and panning with the mag as your handle David Campbell dscmove@yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveSimmons Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 I ran a G2 once, heavy prime, 1000-foot mag and a matte box on a Film Masters. The arm could not handle the weight. I wrapped bunjee cords tightly around each arm section and this helped take a bit more weight but I was still lifting. The rig was around 95 pounds, all told. It was a two minunte shot, fortunately a very simple one, but it started to get really uncomfortable after a minute and a half. One funny thing I remember was the sound guy telling me he could hear me breathing in the main talent's microphone. I guess I was working pretty hard! Oh, and for the record I'm not 7' 300lbs either. 5'9" 150. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted March 11, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 Charles Papert told me a story... Way back he did a whole feature with the GII and his 3A... his Achiles tendents started to part from the bone after a couple of weeks with non stop Steadi abuse... Mmmf. It actually was a short-lived series in New Oreans but not short enough for said Achilles injury to occur, actually about 6 weeks in. We had Steadicam every day, sometimes long and funky shots (I used to have a "running" shot on my reel from this show, during part of which I was keeping pace with a decelerating Jeep). The Gold bottomed out the 3A arm so it had to be held up. And it had to be converted back to B camera at least once a day, which took 20 minutes, so there were endless "should we or shouldn't we" shooting mode discussions. I saw a doctor while on the shoot about the ankle, and described the weight load of the rig. It was one of those classic "doctor, it hurts when I do this". "well, don't do this". The only good thing about that job was that due to the location, the LONG hours, $500 of meal penalties a week (!) and a unexpectedly savvy negotiation, it was an extremely hefty paycheck for episodic (sadly, I have never matched it since, and the way things are these days, I doubt anyone ever will). I limped home and immediately dumped it all into a nice new Preston and PRO setup. The ankle got better, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dave Isern Posted March 17, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 17, 2004 That same 3A continues to lift more than it's fair share. I've flown a GII and a Panastar a few times with Charles' old rig. Once with anamorphic lenses too and lotsa Low-Mode. "....and I thought BL4's weighed alot !" Luckily, I didn't do any running shots except for hustling a little bit to get the shot over and done with. I like heavier cameras sometimes because of the stablility of course, but when it comes down to it......it's all about someone trying to save a buck. Usually though flying alot of weight impresses people enough to make them want you on their team again....as long as they get a lighter camera the next time. Anyhow, that 3A is a workhorse. Shine 'em on, Dave Isern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Anderson Posted March 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 25, 2004 Hello all doing a film job with a Panaflex gold wondering if this is a 24v or a 12v camera. Also what is the power cable config...I have a Panavision cable just wondering if all Pana. cameras have same connector? All help is appreciated Erik Anderson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted March 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 25, 2004 24v. Not all Panaflexes have same connector; the large 3-pin Lemo does the Lightweight, Golds, Platinum, Millenium while the small two pin is used by the Millenium XL and the Elaine. Don't know what rig you have, but the Gold, especially with anamorphics or Primos, will max out certain arms. Eat your Wheaties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Anderson Posted March 25, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 25, 2004 Thanks Charles, I have a Master Series film so I am hoping that I have the get up and go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ari Gertler Posted March 26, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 26, 2004 Ask for the 100% video-tap. This will shave a bit of the weight off. Ari Gertler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Anderson Posted March 26, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 26, 2004 Is the Gold a power hungry Cam??? I need to know cause I have a shoot with it next week and my Master Batts aren't really new they are well used...any thoughts anyone? All help is appreciated Erik Anderson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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