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Recommendations for good training DVDs?


Peter Hoare

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Hi,

 

I just picked my Flyer up from Tiffen yesterday, and I have a fairly long wait until the training course in May. I have no real experience yet, only a few hours on the Merlin+arm and vest so I was wondering if there were any good training DVDs I could buy?

 

James Elias told me to get the EFP DVD but I cant find it for sale anywhere...

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

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Peter,

 

I just got a Steadicam Pilot this week and am in the same boat - no real experience yet, only a few hours with the Pilot.

 

I called Danny at Tiffen support and he said there are 2 training videos:

1) EFP Training Video DVD

2) SK Training Video VHS

 

Danny said the EFP video was more for bigger rigs, and the SK for smaller rigs (e.g. Flyer & Pilot), but he said the concepts are the same. I was thinking about getting the SK Training Video VHS tape and converting it to DVD myself. I do still have a VCR in a box in the basement.

 

Anyway, Danny said the SK Training Video VHS was around $15.

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I got the SK with my Flyer. Funny video, but it does help. Half of it goes through how to assemble and balance the SK, which didn't apply to me, but the rest of it was practice exercises which was quite useful....

Good Info - thanks! I think I'll order the SK video tomorrow. Time to dust off the VHS...

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FYI- the soon to be released (shipping by the end of the month, I'm told) EFP video training manual on DVD is the 2 hour, comprehensive video that Ted and I did back in 1990 - and aside from the EFP specific bits, all the info, exercises, demos, insights, etc. still apply to operating today.

 

I think one of the best things about it is Ted's energy and dedication to the craft (and to the arcane bits and pieces of our gear!) which shines through the material.

 

The other, later videos, like the SK one, did not need to repeat, nor go into the detail, that this one does, so they are much more rig specific and cursory in the operating sections.

 

And, for those of you who still have the original tape- the DVD image is clearer than the VHS, as it was largely made from an "sub-master." It also mostly lacks that burned in clock...

 

Jerry

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The other, later videos, like the SK one, did not need to repeat, nor go into the detail, that this one does, so they are much more rig specific and cursory in the operating sections.

Thanks for the info. I had gotten the impression that the SK and EFP training videos were both around 2 hours in length. Maybe I have that wrong.

 

Peter, how long is your SK Training Video VHS tape? Is it around 2 hours?

 

Jerry, how long is the EFP training video that you and Ted made back in 1990?

 

I have a very small rig (Pilot), so I was led to believe that the SK training video would be more appropriate, but I may have that wrong as well. Any advice appreciated. I would like to order the training video quick before I start to develop bad habits.

Edited by Dave Gish
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I have a very small rig (Pilot), so I was led to believe that the SK training video would be more appropriate, but I may have that wrong as well. Any advice appreciated. I would like to order the training video quick before I start to develop bad habits.

 

Who told you that!? The EFP video is much more detailed and is taught by Jerry and Ted. The SK2 video is like a corporate instruction thing - it serves its purpose for sure, but I'd recommend the EFP DVD any day if you really want to begin to understand the art.

 

- James

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Peter, how long is your SK Training Video VHS tape? Is it around 2 hours?

 

It is 35mins long. It isnt really a video on how to use the steadicam, half of it is how to assemble the now discontinued SK, and then the rest of it is with this cowboy man with the SK walking along a line and practicing pan and tilts with a cross on the wall... Its done me fine to show me how to hold my Flyer but its not detailed enough for much else...

 

I have already sent Robin an email so hopefuly will get the EFP dvd sorted out fairly soon.

 

Thanks,

 

Pete.

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I have a very small rig (Pilot), so I was led to believe that the SK training video would be more appropriate, but I may have that wrong as well. Any advice appreciated. I would like to order the training video quick before I start to develop bad habits.

Who told you that!? The EFP video is much more detailed and is taught by Jerry and Ted. The SK2 video is like a corporate instruction thing - it serves its purpose for sure, but I'd recommend the EFP DVD any day if you really want to begin to understand the art.

- James

I think I read a post on DVinfo where someone got the SK video with their Pilot, but I didn't, so I called the customer support guy at Tiffen, and he confirmed that the SK was a smaller rig, but said the concepts for the EPF were the same. Other than that, he didn't seem to make any recommendations between the two. Given the feedback on this thread, it seems pretty clear that the EFP video is much better. Thanks for the advice!

 

Peter, how long is your SK Training Video VHS tape? Is it around 2 hours?

It is 35mins long. It isnt really a video on how to use the steadicam, half of it is how to assemble the now discontinued SK, and then the rest of it is with this cowboy man with the SK walking along a line and practicing pan and tilts with a cross on the wall... Its done me fine to show me how to hold my Flyer but its not detailed enough for much else...

 

I have already sent Robin an email so hopefully will get the EFP DVD sorted out fairly soon.

That clinches it. I'll order the EFP right now. Thanks!

Edited by Dave Gish
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