Cinegear Steadicam Op. Get Together @ Gladstones

[jasondittmer]

Hey Michael,

After reviewing all the posts on this topic, and seeing the perverbial $%#@storm it has created and being one of the newer operators that didn't make the cut, I still would like to commend you on taking a leadership role on this and trying to organize something nice for the community.

 

Taking a leadership role is never easy, you have no doubt been put in a tough position. Between your wife, the logistic realities of Gladstones and all the Ops and others that would love to attend. I know that I would feel the squeeze.

 

In any community Leadership is key. Please don't let the frustration of this experience keep you or anyone else from future action.

 

Thanks for putting yourself out there.

 

See you all at Cine Gear. :)

 

Jason D

[Marc Abernathy]

i had to get caught up as well.

 

i really hope we can still have the meet at gladstones! mikes wife and even mike himself have taken the liberty to reserve a space for us for FREE, it would be a shame not to take them up!

 

of course i will be wherever the location but lets just agree on gladstones. cinegear is a wekeend event and everyone can see everyone on one day or another. im sure at NAB, for example, there were some ops who didnt see other ops.. thats just the nature of things.

 

so my small vote is lets have it at gladstones...

[Rich Cottrell]

I went to the post cinegear event two years ago and had a good time. I was a greenhorn at the time, but I took my SOA workshop in 2001, so even going to cinegear was a progression for me.

 

I was in luck that year because Paul Magee was out there too and he helped introduce me to some operators from across the country.

I saw some familiar faces, and met a few of you from this forum. (At the time I was flying a CP model 2 with a GPI-Pro arm and a DSD vest with a BFD.)

While most of you were strangers to me, and I to you, I was glad I took the trip.

 

I had a good enough time that I am now trying to fly out to Cinegear every other year. I still consider myself a newer operator, but while I too was turned off by the tone of the "experienced operators only" I already decided to go again this year--regardless.

 

 

Now I have an idea to throw out?

Thinking back to my too numerous keg party roof top BBQs at Penn State I wanted to throw out an idea?

 

Why don?t we all take an extra $10 bucks to the get together. Everyone that shows, kicks in ten bucks at the door. This is not a cover price but a kitty for tipping the staff and covering any overages.

 

If only the projected 40-50 people show, then we give over a nice tip to the staff [on top of whatever we tip while we booze the night away].

If 100 people show, then we have some cash on hand to quickly cover extra appetizers and soda.

 

No one has to be the collection agency, we just need a bucket to drop the cash. It is the honor system.

 

The honor system worked while I was in college and at the time we were all penniless students? or am I just too much of a communist to think as professionals we could pull this off?

 

with peace, love, and harmony from Philadelphia "the city that shoves you back",

rich

[Michael Stumpf]

Hey Michael,

After reviewing all the posts on this topic, and seeing the perverbial $%#@storm it has created and being one of the newer operators that didn't make the cut, I still would like to commend you on taking a leadership role on this and trying to organize something nice for the community.

 

Taking a leadership role is never easy, you have no doubt been put in a tough position. Between your wife, the logistic realities of Gladstones and all the Ops and others that would love to attend. I know that I would feel the squeeze.

 

In any community Leadership is key. Please don't let the frustration of this experience keep you or anyone else from future action.

 

Thanks for putting yourself out there.

 

See you all at Cine Gear. :)

 

Jason D

 

 

Quality post Jason and I appreciate it.

I'll admit, after getting a call from David asking if I'd seen the forum recently and told to

go on, I was disheartened and did feel frustrated and unappreciated.

 

After sleeping on it, I realized I couldn't take it personally as I tried to explain as clearly as

possible I (we) never meant anything personal against the newer or aspiring steadicam operators.

 

Again, stand up post and position on your part...very respectable.

I look forward to meeting you at Cinegear and/or at a post Cinegear get together if someone

can find a place that will hold everyone.

[Michael Stumpf]

David, though I do know a nurse at the VA Hospital, I was kidding about

having it there.

 

Rich I like your idea.

 

I'll talk to my wife about the options and if we do get

60+ people show if it'll be okay.

 

But to keep it sane and at least somewhat under control so

my wife and her restaurant don't get boned, I still think we should

still limit who comes to at least those who own a steadicam and the manufacturers

or parts makers. Is that fair?

[Marc Abernathy]

extremely fair....

[Gordon Li-Ron]

But to keep it sane and at least somewhat under control so

my wife and her restaurant don't get boned, I still think we should

still limit who comes to at least those who own a steadicam and the manufacturers

or parts makers. Is that fair?

 

 

Not trying to revisit this but earlier it was stated that only full time working operators and manufacturers could go but Michael's last post said operators that own their own rig can come. Is this the new consensus? Sorry Michael if I'm throwing you under the bus if it wasn't meant to come out like that. I just noticed for a moment that I may be able to come. I have taken a workshop, own a 3A, I do frequent this forum, and while I have already had some work...I am not paying my bills with steadicam...YET! I can understand why the decision was made and I don't blame anyone...but honestly I was kinda bummed.

 

 

Gordon

[RonBaldwin]

I still think there'd be more cowbell at the Rhino.

 

I don't think you've made it in the biz until you've been fired...so let's limit this soire' (note spelling Chas!) to ops who have been fired. If it's still too crowded, we'll start kicking people out who don't believe we once had a 3/4 inch center post and no side-to-side adjustment in the top stage.

 

Ron B

[jay kilroy]

Is the room ours for a certain period of time? How does it work? I was at the get together last year, no where near 50 people. If that's the case I don't think we have much to worry about? There must be something to this, correct? It sounds like a very impressive spread planned, Mike will we be in our own room for this spread?

 

The original post seemd like we needed to all fit at one table, is this the case? I hope this works out. It seems as though Mike and his wife have done a lot of planning and it shouldn't go to waste. If there is room, I would like to RSVP for myself.

 

jay

[David Allen Grove]

I still think there'd be more cowbell at the Rhino.

 

Ron B

 

You must never, ever make fun of the sacred Cowbell.

[geoff shotz]

i'm in on all counts, fired, own a rig, working, still a newbie for the rest of my life, etc. really though, i want to hear ron, b.j., and matt's stories from the whitney trip. i'm envisioning something between "ravenous" and "brokeback".

 

geoff "i just can't quit you steadicam" shotz

[Brad Grimmett]

The original post seemd like we needed to all fit at one table, is this the case?

jay

It's a pretty large patio. Ten tables maybe....? And there's a pretty big bar inside. It's been a while since I've been there. I've been a bit confused as to why space has been such an issue. I understand about the free stuff....but do we really need free food and drinks? Sure, it's very nice of Mike's wife to offer, but we've been paying for our food and drinks at this thing for years. It's not like we're broke. I'm sure we can cover it if we go over what was expected.

I know a couple operators who have been at the 'get together' for the last two years who aren't coming this year because they feel like they aren't welcome, and that's a bummer to me. I guarantee there will be many people there with much less experience than these guys. There have been newbies at this get together for years. I don't get what's bad about that.

Anyway, I'll be there drinkin' it up! Hopefully not too many people will feel that they aren't welcome.

[Michael Stumpf]

Okay, here's the deal.

 

The PCH Deck is outside and we have it for as long as we want.

We are also free to walk around the place too or hit the beach area as well, but there

will be a wedding (or probably reception by the time we get there) at the far end of

the beach down from the movie room.

 

I mentioned to my wife about Rich's idea of $10 each in a box for

a tip or overflow. She thought it a nice idea, but not necessary.

She'll bring out a decent amount but obviously she has a limit on

how much free food she can give. I'm sure people will want to order more food

or a meal for themselves as the appetizers are just that, appetizers.

 

She's not concerned about the soda that will be an endless amount for free.

 

Ordering food and alcoholic drinks will be "cash and carry" meaning in order for the wait staff to keep it

orderly, you have to pay as you order for dinner food or alcoholic drinks.

So bring CASH or you'll be swiping your credit card a lot! Tip the staff as you normally would.

 

Jay to answer some of your questions. Last year we probably had close to 50 people come and go

from Dalts. The year before it was probably 35, and the year before that maybe 25.

At our first get together there was like 8-10 of us, so it is growing.

 

There will not be just one big table. There will be about 10 plastic type patio tables and theres a couple solid bench tables too. Each table seats 4 people I think, but there will

be plenty of room to move around and mingle.

The deck and tables will be dressed up a bit for us and a "Private Party" sign out so others don't

go in there. When they see how many men are all gathered so closely together on the beach deck

don't be surprised if the guys from "Queer Eye" crash our party...maybe even Richard Simmons.

 

I suppose I should let my wife know the get together is still on, after the outcry, I had her put

a temp stop on the whole magillicutty (how the hell is it spelt anyway). :D

[jay kilroy]

That sounds awesome Mike.

 

Do you really think there were 50 of us last year? Didn't seem that big a crowd, then again I did have a few beers after a long day in the sun.

 

Well, I'm glad it's still a go for this gathering. Again Mike thanks to you and your wife for setting this up.

 

jay

[Marc Abernathy]

Dr. jay, its was almost standing room only at dalts. we held the back section hostage!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

these were mostly taken towards the end...