Premium Members Erwin Landau Posted March 14, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Okay, sorry guys disregard my last post... That's what sitting in front of the Computer to long and reading all the news will do to you... Feeling Paranoid. Happy Flying, Erwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Charles Papert Posted March 14, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 I think that it's a sticky wicket to question how much one should spend on their work-related equipment. We are paid a significant amount of rental for our gear and expectations of it are high; if a $500 tool box makes us more organized, able to find things quicker and generally be more efficient, that's a logical and worthwhile investment. Certainly some of us overspend on gear while others are fantastically cheap about upgrading (a fascinating number of whom are among the highest paid operators of our craft)! Obviously a highly personal choice. I think that if one is to start calling attention to the social implications of how we spend money, it would be on our leisure-related purchases. It's out of this pool that the possibility of charity of various kinds can and should emerge, more so at least than the work expenditures. This is sort of a weird subject, I guess. (and for the record, I've been a long-time Storm case fan and I'm not thrilled about Pelican's acquistion!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lawrence Karman Posted March 14, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Erwin, please don't apologize for speaking passionately about what you believe in. I support you 100%. I think spending money on gear is OK if it makes you more efficient or a better operator. Better pack that new case soon because the NSA or Homeland Security will be coming for you soon. Actually you are doing more than your part to bring back the economy by spending as the government suggests we all do. Jamie, forget the "it's a toolcase" rant and redirect to Eric for boasting about spending $100,000 on transportation. Wish I could do that but private school takes up more of my income than I like to think about. I think that case is cool. All the custom foam inserts could be quite costly though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted March 14, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Jamie, forget the "it's a toolcase" rant and redirect to Eric for boasting about spending $100,000 on transportation. Wish I could do that but private school takes up more of my income than I like to think about. Ahhhh But I didn't spend that much on the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brant S. Fagan SOC Posted March 14, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Gents-- While we are at it, anyone get a price and delivery date for the Lockheed Exoskeleton? I want one so I can then justify and write off the Pelican tool case. Tools are nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, bring them along and make yourself indispensable to production. Never chide another for moving on a good idea. Get on the bus and enjoy the ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JamieSilverstein Posted March 14, 2009 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Hey Erwin; Please don't ever feel paranoid about expressing your point of view. You in no way insulted or demeaned anyone, and I totally understand and respect your feelings about what you buy and why you buy it. I actually feel the same way, but when I pull myself out of myself every once and a while, and look at what I do, I have to stop and wonder. You made some wonderful points. Yes Pelican is made in the USA, and they are a very reputable and reliable company. Their products last a long time and as a result don't really need to be replaced. I have a meter case that is almost as old as you are....... Actually it's 25 years old, and the only thing wrong with it is that it is camo colored. You also pointed out that there are a TREMENOUS number of people out there on food stamps, and more are going on the rolls everyday. So I guess the point is that it's not the $500.00 tool box really, it's me asking all of us to look at ourselves for a moment, not as Steadicam operators, as artists, as film technicians, but as a community of people in a bigger community. I know much too granola for this forum........ but I guess I get tired of only talking about the best rig and smoothest arm with people as intelligent as I think we all are. I thank you guys for your input and insights, and I hope they continue, both positive and negative. It shows that we are thinking. Oh and Lawrence you are right....... It's Eric's car. Psst don't tell him, but I still think he got ripped off. Respectfully; Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Robert Starling SOC Posted March 15, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 When I had my "Erwin Style" cases made for my cart it was all about efficiency of my work, time savings and inventory control. My cart / case system knocked off about 45 minute set up / wrap each way per day on day-playing jobs; that's an hour and a half of valuable time for the small things like SLEEP or a training ride. Everything having it's own place and spot in the drawers lowers my stress level and saves time on-set. The same goes for inventory; if anything is missing there's an empty spot / slot in a drawer which really helps at 3:30 am wrapping after a long day. About the only thing I resent more than over-priced cables was the expectation of having a Preston system; glad I have it, wonderful gear but it was a lot of dough to throw down. Somewhere in one of the threads Erwin and a few others pointed out that at a certain level of project they want / expect a Preston and the last thing I'd want is to have a piece of gear get between me and a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted March 15, 2009 Moderators Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 "About the only thing I resent more than over-priced cables was the expectation of having a Preston system; glad I have it, wonderful gear but it was a lot of dough to throw down. Somewhere in one of the threads Erwin and a few others pointed out that at a certain level of project they want / expect a Preston and the last thing I'd want is to have a piece of gear get between me and a job." The irony is that it seems that those level jobs (at least here in NYC) almost always have an additional Preston on the job for A-Camera, etc. So if the focus puller wants a Preston, they could use that one. Don't get me wrong, I love my Preston and am glad I have it, but for those who don't have one - I suggest buying a power cable for the MDR to your sled as well as a mounting bracket. It may be a band-aide fix, but it may buy you a little more time..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members nick franco Posted March 15, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 - I suggest buying a power cable for the MDR to your sled as well as a mounting bracket. It may be a band-aide fix, but it may buy you a little more time..... I got away with this for awhile, until I could write the big check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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