Rickshaw

[Matt Petrosky]

I bought the Shotsaver Steadi-dolly from Backstage, Inc. North Hollywood, Ca. Most versatile rig for variety of shooting situations. Works as a rickshaw, or dolly! Frame narrows for doorways or widens for stability. Interchangeable wheels for maneuverability, 20" wheels to go fast, balloon tires for sand or grass (I did a commercial on golf course rolling directly on the Green!) You can mount the rig and ride or use standing platform for step-offs. Shotsaver builds and breaks-down quickly and basic dolly fits into a Tuff-Bin trunk size case for shipping.

 

I've spent around $5,600.for everything w/ their Garfield mount. (except 20" wheels), I plan to get those next.

 

Randy Nolen

I second everything that Randy said above—one of the best/most versatile tools in my kit. It's a really smart design, and with Backstage's stellar customer service that has been supporting me for years. I've also used it for crazy handheld shooting for running/chase sequences. It's great!

 

-Matt

 

P.S. Vote for Ron Baldwin

[RonBaldwin]

P.S. Vote for Ron Baldwin

 

I am not vain enough to run...not enough footage of me! Vote for someone else. :rolleyes:

 

I will have to see this wondrous rickshaw from backstage! They were unwilling to beef some things up and do some small mods to it 6/7 yrs ago...maybe I was talking to the wrong guy there...and maybe it has been improved!

[Sanjay Sami]

P.S. Vote for Ron Baldwin

 

Vote for someone else. :rolleyes:

 

 

Who Ron ? Give us a hint ...

[James Davis]

found this picture of it:

 

http://www.steadicam-ops.com/database/soaGalleryLarge.php?recordID=620

[David Allen Grove]

If you don't want to spend the money, I know a guy who rents out rickshaws.

[Thomas English]

Are those backstage Rickshaws really good for running shots? Like at proper speed? The Backstage and the Mantis don't seem as good to me as the chariot style rickshaws like Optical Supports old one. Jeremiah Daltons and David Allen Groves one.

 

Can someone that knows both types explain to me the advantage of the really low riding rickshaws over the chariot style rickshaws.

[James Davis]

Used the Mantis and the old style optical support rickshaw both at a good speed.

 

You can make the Mantis axle a little wider by spinning the axle blocks around so the wheels sit out a bit more, but it's still not quite as wide as having the wide axle kit on the old style rickshaw.

 

It feels wide enough though and the base of the Mantis sits lower below the axle as well, which I think only enhances the stability at speed, it also protects your feet from the wheels, unlike on the old style where they kind of sit a bit exposed.

 

I do prefer the overall design of the mantis, it feels a lot more solid and rigid when flying along at speed.

Although I would say that maybe the wide axle one feels pretty solid too, but it does take up a lot more room with the wide axle on, the nice thing with the mantis as well, is that the front handle/spar is all on a rosette hinge, so you can fold it in for quick transport, whereas the old style rickshaw it all needs to be unbolted and disassembled.

 

 

 

Overall I would say now after having used both for most things I would probably go with the Mantis out of preference most times and if I need to go really fast, just push for production to stump up for a small tracking vehicle, the mantis is really nice and versatile and the design is really cool, they've got a neat little promo for it up on youtube:

 

[Jay Kim]

I have a Shotsaver rickshaw from backstage for hire in NYC area.

Call me or send me an email if you need to rent a most versatile(step-on/off or sit-on) Steadicam rickshaw for a day or longer.

 

917-415-4200 or jsteadicam@me.com