Posted by Fred on 01/18/07 20:13

Steven J. Weller wrote:

>
> nobody special wrote:
>> I'm just curious; my career spans about thirty years now if I include
>> college work, has covered a lot of stuff from news to drama to events
>> to sports to aerials and FX work and in all that time I've needed a
>> steadicam type device..... just ONCE. I'm curious to know why so many
>> folks with the small Dv camcorders feel the need to have a steadicam of
>> some sort.
>>
>> I'm sure there are a few areas where it makes some kind of sense, but
>> overall, is having one to own really that important? I wouldn't bother
>> owning one unless it was going to get weekly use, I'd just rent one
>> instead when the need arose. Like that one time I used it.
>
> Most of the work I do is narrative rather than documentary, so it's
> just one more tool in my kit - no different than my doorway dolly or my
> jib (or my tripods, for that matter). Having one means not having to
> rent, and knowing how to use it means not having to hire an operator.
> I've been on a lot of low budget shows where every department has to
> make two lists - the equipment you want, to be able to do the work the
> way you'd like to, and the bare minimum equipment you need to get the
> job done. You can guess which one is called the wish list.
>
> Plus, it was cheap - between the vest, the sled, the monitor, and the
> cables, it came to under a grand, and while I'm still on the uphill
> part of the learning curve, it looks like this is going to be something
> I can do and do fairly well - one more marketable skill never hurts.
>
I must admit that I saw no reason for a steady capability for regular
shooting, and then just this week I was shooting a figure skater and at the
last minute before I left home I decided to grab my skates and follow him
onto the ice with camera and mic. Could have used something to steady the
camera. I got some stuff that I can use with editing, but as soon as I
tried to move my feet, things got shaky.
Of course I may not needthis again for a while.(???)

--
Regards, Fred

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