Premium Members Dave Chameides Posted May 23, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 Hey All, Wasn't sure where to put this so here it is. Just had my toolbox stolen off the show I'm on and I'm beginning to try to fathom what was even in there. Note to anyone who hasn't done it already, do a COMPLETE inventory of your widget/gadget case before it's too late. Anyhoo, one of the things I had was a JAR optic/Watech video eyepece tap (can't even remember the last time I used it). While I don't know that I'll replace it, I need to know what I can replace it with for insurance reasons. Anyone have any idea what the modern day off the shelf equivalant of an ARRI eyepiece tap would be and whene I can get one? On another note, I had a Nebtek 5" LCD monitor as my backup. Anyone got any good suggestions as to what to replace it with? thanks dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted May 23, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 A few weeks ago there was a videotap on Ebay and I think it left for around $1.200 For the screen, there are so many in this range, in every quality and price, from $200 to $ 1500+, not sure what quality your Nebtek falls in but I can suggest Teletest, or else Transvideo. Rob van Gelder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Peter Abraham Posted May 27, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 That is painful to contemplate. The JAR eyepiece optics were truly the sharpest, lightest, fastest and most ergonomic of taps. {the late} John Russel really nailed it with that device. I sold mine for well over a thousand, if I recall correctly. The camera was a Watec Black Widow, but that's almost incidental these days. The cost and value was in the tap. Not for nothing, but this thread is easily as much about protecting those bits and bobs that we hold dear to our heart. Next time you have tons of downtime on a show, lay out your entire tool kit on a sound blanket, and start writing. List out everything, and mail the list to your insurance company. You will be surprised just how much it all is worth......... Peter Abraham, E.M.T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted May 27, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Dave, sorry to hear about the theft. I was always very attached to your toolbox, let alone the contents. I for one will miss it. Seriously, the Nebtek was around $300 for the monitor, $550 if it had their breakout box on the back. I think it was my old one, right? So it didn't have the breakout. Then again--insurance claim--I just remembered that it was a top-of-the-line Transvideo, right? Yeah, that's it. Having things stolen on set is the worst. We can't possibly protect all of our goodies; what are you going to do, hire a private security guard to protect your cart at lunch?? Years ago I had an 8mm clamshell stolen off the camera carts on an interior location that was closed to the public. The UPM told me I was careless to leave it "lying around in plain view". I thought he was the biggest prick in town, until 2 months later, well after the show had wrapped and vaporized, I finally got a guy from the studio to explain to me that there was no way they would pay a claim on the unit, and if I didn't like it I could sue them for the $1000. Nice. Lovely business we are in. Dave, good luck with the process, hope it comes out in your favor for all the time and effort it will take. --Chas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Allen Grove Posted May 27, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 David C., I'm also sorry to hear about that. That really bites. I don't know what'd I do if something were stolen out of my kit. I always try to keep my Storm case locked especially outdoors in public. Like at this years Rose Bowl Parade.. someone could have easily taken something if I hadn't locked it up. Even then I was constantly over to see if anyone was near my cases. Even in a studio setting I lock up during lunch but that's just me being a little more paranoid than I probably should be. I know sometimes it's just impossible to keep stuff locked up and stuff you aren't using close by. I suppose you could always hire yourself an eager "Intern" or a "Steadicam Apprentice" look after your stuff. BTW Dave C. I've alwys wondered what "docproteus" stood for? (there are far too many steadicam operators named Dave!) :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dave Chameides Posted May 31, 2004 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted May 31, 2004 Hey All, Thanks for all the kind words. Not looking forward to being in this process anymore as it already bites. I did an inventory list of the things that I had on my insurance list and it added up to $6000. Even if they cover that (which they won't) I'll still take it in the shorts with all the little doodads that i know I've missed. Such is life. Unfortunately when I told the UPM about this, his immediate response was "How do i know you had it on the show". When I finally proved to him that I had it on the show, he said "How do I know what was in it?". I explained that on the second day of the show, when he rather rudely pointed out to me that they hadn't gotten my equipment list and they wouldn't pay me rental until he had it, I had sent it along to his office (actually resent it as I had already sent it once-but who's counting). So i assumed that after I got my first rental check he had received the list. He now says that he never received it, but has no explanation why I'm still getting rental when they have no equipment list. Add this on top of having one of the most incompetent, highly abusive directors I have ever worked with, and you've got a great show. Not to worry though, I found a local shirt in Maryland that says "Don't Yell At Me" in large letters and have been wearing it on set. Seems to have embarrased him enough into treating us at least civilly(sp?). Shirts will be available to all other ops as soon as I get abck. Adios. dave P.S. Doctor Proteus was a luddite in Vonneguts "Player Piano" who destroys all the computers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted June 1, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 1, 2004 Hi Dave, Been a long time... Sorry to hear about your lose, been there, it sucks... You have to love the Production that wants every single piece of equipment accounted for until it's gone and they're like... What equipment? You should have parked there instead of here etc... I buy the "Don't yell at me" shirt of you... along side the following: Don't touch my Center Post. No finger prints on my Monitor, pleeeeease. Yes it's heavy and it's not getting lighter while you let me wait... Yes I have to change mags after the film rolled out... etc. Anybody has some of the old Ted Churchill ones? Anyhow, hope you are well... How are your 2 !?!?! kids, when did that happen? Good Luck, Erwin Landau, SOC www.landaucamera.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dave Chameides Posted June 16, 2004 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 ....and it finally comes full circle. Well, the show from hell is finally over and I must say it had somewhat of a happy ending. Towards my last day (I left a few early) my tool box was found deep inside the video playback ops truck. I know him pretty well and believe him when he says that he had nothing to do with it getting there, so the why will remain a mystery but I got it all back and that's what's important. Thanks to everyone who offered support and help and at least we should all take from this little experience the idea to COMPLETELY inventory your widget box (I've also taken some pix of everything spread out on a white sheet just for good measure). As a parting note, a little last day nicety from the UPM from hell on the shoot from hell. As I mentioned, I had to leave early by a few days (they went over) so about two weeks prior I told the DP and the UPM and gave them both the name of someone here in LA who was good with everyone and was willing to fly out. Cut to the night before my last day and the UPM calls the 1st to ask "What are we doing regarding the steadicam operator". Long story short is he purposely dragged his feet on the whole thing long enough so he wouldn't be able to fly someone out in time. He used as an excuse that he wasn't sure if I was actually leaving or not, yet he had OK'd my travel memo three days prior. Whatever. He then proceeded to say to the 1st "Well you sort of have Dave's physique, couldn't you do the steadicam". I won't repeat what the 1st told him, at which point he said "Well what about Julio (DP), couldn't he do it if the shot wasn't too tough?" Unbelievable. The next day I went up to him to make sure that once I left, my equipment would not leave the truck and to let him know that I had locked everything up. He looked at me and said ever so innocently "Why on earth would you ever think I would try to do anything with your equipment?" To which I replied (while looking at him straight in the eyes) "Well, I wouldn't want anyone on the show like Trey or Julio, or anyone with my general physique to think that they could strap the gear on and try to do a shot so I just wanted to make sure that we were on the same page". All the blood (and the stupid smile) drained straight away from his face, he quietly said I had nothing to worry about, and walked away. So there you have it boys and girls. Don't think they think your anything more than a warm body cuz they don't. Now to work on my anger management issues. Thanks again for all your words. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Allen Grove Posted June 16, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 So there you have it boys and girls. Don't think they think your anything more than a warm body cuz they don't. Dave I'm glad your gear is back. But that story makes my blood boil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted June 16, 2004 Moderators Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Dave, Glad you got your stuff back. Stories like that make me want to sell all my gear and get the f*ck out of this biz! What are we doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted June 17, 2004 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Udi,Udi,Udi( insert frowning face shaking head thingy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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