John Steele Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 I've been visiting the steadicam forum for about 4 years now, not posted that much but learned a lot, as more and more companies bring low cost stabilisers to the market it's obvious that chatter on forums like these will go up. What I think has been missing on here is a set of rules outlining what the forum is here for and who it is aimed at. Ok we've got the steadi newbies section but using the recent example of a question regarding low cost stabilisers there's nothing to suggest that these shouldn't be discussed in any of the general forum sections. For example General Discussion Post your new topic here if it doesn't apply to the other discussion forums. Operating Discuss operating techniques and situations. Sleds All types and brands. Arms All types and brands. Vests All types and brands. etc etc No wonder people of all levels and budgets post here, there's nothing to tell them otherwise, why wouldn't I ask a general question about 2 low cost stabilisers in the general section of the forum. If people are going to be torn a new one for posting on here then they should at least be breaking some kind of rule for it. I think with some serious thought everyone at every level could be accomodated on this board, it may require a little bit of effort though. Thats just my .2c John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jason Williams Posted March 1, 2006 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Right, my final post on this one. I never started this thread to bitch about anyone, or call names, I spoke my mind on what I thought. This has got seriously out of hand, and I'm responsible for kicking dirt in people's faces, and for that I apologise. I want us to do what all do best ... operate, and if the need arises help each other on here. I do enjoy being part of the Steadicam Forum, and respect the members here and what they do. Some of us are more experienced than others, that's just the way it is. I'm in the lower class of those, I'm still learning, and will never consider myself an expert operator. I won't say anything more on this subject, I now consider it closed, and will move on. Thanks, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Burton Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 I'm in the lower class of those, I'm still learning, and will never consider myself an expert operator.Jason Don't underestimate yourself Jason, words like lower class and saying you will never be an expert opp is crazy talk. Even the most experianced opps are still learning every time they go out. If they don't then they have become complacent and that will show in their work. One thing i do know is i can't ever see you putting down the steadicam and thats all that matters. You came into steadicam in quite a unique way i belive, the fact that you had no camera or broadcast experiance before you started your obsession with steadicams. This has gota be the hardest way to come into this profession i can think of, sure your gona have too learn alot along the way but your learning it all with a steadicam in your hands. Soon it will all start to click into place and your going end up doing things you never thought possible. Trust me. -matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jason Williams Posted March 1, 2006 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 I think I will be buried with my rig ;) Yeah I push myself in at the deep end, knowing so little, but I've got some good friends who've helped me along and shown me the way. As you say I'm still learning and will be for a long time to come. Work seems to be coming in quicker now, did one today, was a Student shoot but good fun and very good experience. I love operating and hope that I can turn it into my full time profession, I love it when people ask what I do ... I say Steadicam Operator (then usually have to go into explaining it's the same thing as the guy who runs up and down the touch line on football matches!!) and it gives me a buzz when they realise what I mean. Let me know when you're over this way again, we'll meet up and catch up since Optex '04. Cheers bud, Jase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Seefreid Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 As a newer member here and as someone who has wasted more time than I care to admit on "forums" on the internet...I can say that the best defense to "bitching and backbiting" is to simply ignore it. And to be honest, from my perspective you all look a wee bit silly when you get catty. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Marc Abernathy Posted March 4, 2006 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 This site ran into a problem when it started having advertising and sponsorship, that's when the signal to noise ratio when thru the roof. No sadly most of the people that used to post don't, and I both understand and agree with their reason's for it. ***RANT WARNING RANT WARNING*** to coment on eric's post, i think this site ran into problems when it changed over to this new format so that anyone who had an internet connection could join and post up. once this site switched from the old, cleaner way, the vetrans and "founders" of this Craft stopped posting (just look at the very early posts on this new forum and you will find some posts of not to pleased operators). we have lost a few members due to this site becoming the "commons" and losing its uniqueness. i miss those informative posts by Guy Bee, Dan Kneece, Erwin, Ron Borden, the McConkey Bros (larry posts here and there but nothing like he did back in the day)... these are just a few.. there are more, many more operators who stopped posting due to this new format. i guess this forum is for the new generation of users. i mean, we had so many new comers post up asking the same exact questions (what is steadicam? what is drop time? i am a school teacher, i have some extra cash and want to buy a rig, where can i buy one, walmart?) that it eroded the forum to a point that it ran the veterans away. on the old forum, we never had the petty bickering that you see almost weekly on this site. ooh dont get me wrong, there would be arguments, but about gear or wages.. something within the CRAFT and not just the fact that someonehad an inflated ego or a semi pro rig... when i joined up on the old steadiforums i was extremely green. i NEVER posted in almost a year of me bing on that forum. why so long? because i was learning abou the Rig and how it operates and how the Operators used a certain trick to get a certaian impossible shot the director wanted.. i had BIG ears and a small mouth. i would only post to ask more info or to clarify something.... ...not to mention i was actualy reading posts form actual operators!! i was amazed and fascinated. I always thought then.. and still do now.. think thata the camera/Steadi Op is THE star of the movie. im like a child in a candy store when i get a chance to speak with ANY of those A list operators! man, i think some folks on this site dont understand who they are actually speaking to sometimes! these are the big shots! was digressing... apologies... now we have folks asking silly questions that could be answered on the same page a couple of posts down. this type of stuff is why many respected veterans dont post. you can go tot he old archives and see many posts on how to tweak things, and ideas abuo opewrating were a common occurence. look at these forum pages and you will see very little info on tips and tweaks.. this place has become more of a marketplace to buy and sell. i also agree that we do not need two forums. i did not know about jsaon;s forum until he posted here. i mean no disresopect to jason in any way but starting up another forum will only divide this small comunity more and segragate us more. of couse your site is up and running well so this point is moot. im happy to see Chas, eric "bulldog" fletcher, brant, and the other long time veterans still posting here. those of use who are trying to get to the status the aforementioned Ops are, should be honored that we can even pick their brains and post to them asking for help. and for that, thats what makes this forum special. i mean, how else could i speak to larry or eric or garret or jerry or rob or brant (or... well you get my point) other than this forum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jason Williams Posted March 4, 2006 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 i also agree that we do not need two forums. i did not know about jsaon;s forum until he posted here. i mean no disresopect to jason in any way but starting up another forum will only divide this small comunity more and segragate us more. of couse your site is up and running well so this point is moot. I've always said, and will continue to say that the Steadiforum is NOT in competition to the Steadicam Forum, this forum has been here much longer than I've been operating, and never want the Steadiforum to ever be compared, as we have unique differences. When I originally thought about changing it over, I did ask members their advice, and we agreed it would be a good way to boost the forum, and I did ask Tim Tyler's "permission" as it were to start the forum up, but I can only presume the email was left and never replied to (feel free to correct me on this please), as I didn't want to step on anyone's toes, but when I didn't get a reply, I just went ahead any way, after all, what harm was it going to do? Thanks Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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