michael stevenson
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It was the Morning of December 10, 2005. The Workshop started at 8:45 a.m. I got there at about 7:50 am and since it was early I decided to walk down the street and grab a cup of coffee at a nearby doughnut shop. As I was walking back to the Tiffen company I almost got run over by some crazy guy who cut through a gas station. I noticed this crazy driver turned right into the Steadicam facility's parking lot . When I caught up it turns out the crazy driver was the instructor Peter Abraham himself! We shook hands and walked into the plant. Standing in the lobby was the Steadicam Manager Frank Rush. We all greeted each other and talked about the days upcoming events. I immediately noticed the showroom off to one side and went in to check it out. Inside there were several Flyers setup up on there balancing stands. At the front of the room was a magnificent Steadcam Ultra. Man that bad boy was heavy. I mean real heavy! The other students were showing up and peter started the seminar immediately.
More later....
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michael stevenson
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OK guys I am getting some Photos from The workshop slowly but surely. This is a pic of Peter Abraham instructing one of the other students in front of the Tiffen facility in Glendale.
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MikkoWilson
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Neat pic.
... Peter in a stock vest? huh?
- Mikko
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michael stevenson
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Here's another pic of the very cool Steadicam "Rickshaw" dolly built by Director of Photography Tony Foresta seen standing next to the dolly. Note the socket block where the Steadicam connects.
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michael stevenson
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Mikko,
That vest was a brand new one that Frank Rush gave to Peter. I was wearing his old one.
Michael
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« Last Edit: December 29, 2005, 03:47:22 PM by Michael Stevenson »
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Phil Kindred
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Got any new pics, Michael? What was your impression of the Flyer's performance? What kind of cameras were used?
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michael stevenson
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Phil,
You know as soon as I recieve the pics they will be here. We had three Canon XL1s and one of the new Panasonic DVX100s. I thought everything about the Panasonic was fantastic. And it looked very professional with the Matte box and pro follow focus setup. Great picture too. Since I had never actually straped on a decent rig before in my life I really don't have anything to compare it to. But one thing is for sure it worked great! Unbelievable, steady video is all I can say. It was incredibly smooth and felt like a serious piece of professional gear. There was that problem of feeling like someone stuck a sharp knife in my lower back after wearing it for more than 10-15 minutes. You really have to work with one every day to keep that muscle in shape I was told. But I learned so much in a short time as well as made some valuable contacts.
Michael
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« Last Edit: January 01, 2006, 06:19:58 PM by Michael Stevenson »
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Alan Dague-Greene
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Does anyone know the proper name for "that muscle"? I know I've read it somewhere before. Couldn't find it in the Ultra manual.
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Trevor Crump
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You can condition 'that' muscle quite easily, it does not require working daily, but is does mean exersising and streaching it to keep ahead. I was surprised how quickly I became accustomed to the action, but then again there are times I still feel it. I carry steadicam for up to an hour at a time, but I practice once a week, and have many miles treadmill exersize. ever tried walking on a treadmill with a rig...this will bring tears to your eyes...  |
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Sunny North Queensland, Australia (the land Down Under)
Steadicam Opp/ Videographer / Photographer, Camera crane, Film maker, events photographer/videographer
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MikkoWilson
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..yeah, but at least it's easy to keep focus on the treadmill .... now if only the end of "the line" would come...
- Mikko
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michael stevenson
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According to Peter as long as you are a Steadicam operator the end of "the line" never comes. You have got to keep your eye on it all the time.
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« Last Edit: January 02, 2006, 03:28:23 PM by Michael Stevenson »
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MikkoWilson
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VERY true. ..and if it ever does come, you just switch and go the other way  - Mikko |
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Joe Sanders
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I don’t understand what you guys are talking about.
Is this a philosophical conversation or a practical one?
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If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves....
Thomas Edison
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Author
steadi certificate small.jpg
