Premium Members Michael Wilson Posted June 8, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Had a rough day playing with my nephew yesterday and woke up with a strained lower back. I can walk but I can't hardly bend over or pick anything up. I have a shoot in 2 days. It usually is about 3-4 days before my back gets over this type of injury. They can't afford to bring another operator in. It is a short walk and talk and it will be outside. Forecast calls for rain so I might be off the hook. It will probably take 20-30 minutes in the in the rig to shoot. Real short and simple shot. Should I ask them to push that scene back a few more days? Should I take some muscle relaxors just before the shoot, shoot it and then heal up after the shot? I know I probably shouldn't do this but I might have to. What can I do in the meantime to get my back healed up as quickly as possible? Would you inform the producer of an injury when you could still work but probably shouldn't work? Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members William Demeritt Posted June 8, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 I will defer to the wisdom of the elders regarding handling the producers and the decision to shoot. As someone who's injured his back a few times over the years (years of being a gym rat takes it's toll on occasion), I recommend getting generic ibuprofen from Walgreens, CVS or your preferred pharmacy. Whenever my back acts up, I will take 3 as soon as I wake up and 2 more every 6 hours throughout my day. Also, avoid sneezing at all costs. If you must sneeze, stabilize your back against a wall. My sister had a bulge in her spine repaired years ago, and her doctor told her that sneezing is the most traumatic thing you do to your back on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mike McGowan SOC Posted June 9, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 So hard to give you good advice here. How old are you? How much does it hurt? Is it a pulled muscle that will heal up either way or something serious that could be perminant? How bad do you need the job? How big is your rig, the camera, will you be on the beach??????????????? Everybody here has worked under some type of pain or illness. We have all thought, "I can't possibly turn down a job" but the truth is (unless your about to loose your house) one job generally doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. Soak in your hot tub (or bath tub). Use an inversion table, get a massage and or accupuncture. Stretch, take some advil, cowboy up and do the job. Or, call and say you cant. I would not try and tell the producer your injured but want to do the job anyway. Either do it and stay quiet or let them know your injured and can't make the shoot. my 2 cents... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Michael Wilson Posted June 9, 2009 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 So hard to give you good advice here. How old are you? How much does it hurt? Is it a pulled muscle that will heal up either way or something serious that could be perminant? How bad do you need the job? How big is your rig, the camera, will you be on the beach??????????????? Everybody here has worked under some type of pain or illness. We have all thought, "I can't possibly turn down a job" but the truth is (unless your about to loose your house) one job generally doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. Soak in your hot tub (or bath tub). Use an inversion table, get a massage and or accupuncture. Stretch, take some advil, cowboy up and do the job. Or, call and say you cant. I would not try and tell the producer your injured but want to do the job anyway. Either do it and stay quiet or let them know your injured and can't make the shoot. my 2 cents... I am 27 and this is my second job on steadicam. Shooting with a RED and the whole rig comes in at about 35-40 lbs maybe more. The injury is not permanent and the last time i got it was about 9 months ago. Just a pain that happens about once a year for a few days. No beach. Just a straight up walk and talk. I think I am going to take it easy and take some pills and do the job. It is a really good opportunity for me at this point in my career. It is a small independent feature where I can make some decent connections for living in the middle of the country. I can rest after the shoot I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrey Yazydzhi Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 So hard to give you good advice here. How old are you? How much does it hurt? Is it a pulled muscle that will heal up either way or something serious that could be perminant? How bad do you need the job? How big is your rig, the camera, will you be on the beach??????????????? Everybody here has worked under some type of pain or illness. We have all thought, "I can't possibly turn down a job" but the truth is (unless your about to loose your house) one job generally doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. Soak in your hot tub (or bath tub). Use an inversion table, get a massage and or accupuncture. Stretch, take some advil, cowboy up and do the job. Or, call and say you cant. I would not try and tell the producer your injured but want to do the job anyway. Either do it and stay quiet or let them know your injured and can't make the shoot. my 2 cents... I am 27 and this is my second job on steadicam. Shooting with a RED and the whole rig comes in at about 35-40 lbs maybe more. The injury is not permanent and the last time i got it was about 9 months ago. Just a pain that happens about once a year for a few days. No beach. Just a straight up walk and talk. I think I am going to take it easy and take some pills and do the job. It is a really good opportunity for me at this point in my career. It is a small independent feature where I can make some decent connections for living in the middle of the country. I can rest after the shoot I suppose. Be careful ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Eric Fletcher S.O.C. Posted June 9, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 am 27 and this is my second job on steadicam. Shooting with a RED and the whole rig comes in at about 35-40 lbs maybe more. I'd kill to shoot with a 35-40lbs rig. Right now my rig weighs 76lbs all up..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Brad Grimmett Posted June 9, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 After a back injury last year, I'm a huge fan of acupuncture. I literally couldn't walk upright and after two sessions of acupuncture I felt brand new. If it were me I'd go to acupuncture the next two days and do the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted June 9, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Hi Michael, don't worry and do the job... just get some good pills or medicine (as suggested ibuprofen works very good). It happened to me as well and it's a muscle thing. Not a big thing, just increase your time in the jim or in the pool. that's the only thing that can help you. Make your back muscle stronger... There's also surf that's perfect but I don't know if you have good waves close where you live (I don't and have to drive for 1 up to 2 hours to get to the beach) my 2 lira matteo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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