What do you do besides "Steadicam"

[Hans Dijkman]

I always wondered what everyone does besides steadicam, like normal work??
And what else do you have to know to be a good cameraman/steadicam operator, some people I have spoken with say that you "have" to learn AVID and first become a normal television/news cameraman, I don't believe that is "the only" way to become a semi/pro cameraman/operator.

I know that when you are 20 and have only some semi expirience, you don't just become a pro in a few years, but there are already some Short Film directors that want me to do the Steadicam shots, and I think that is one of the roads that leads to Rome.

So what do you all think of it?

Hans

[Cody Deegan]

I don't believe there is only one way to do anything.  Not everyone can have the opportunity to be a television cameraman.  Where there is a will, there is a way.  For work, I am a freelance illustrator and 3D artist.  I have run stabilizer on a few independent projects and on a few professional gigs.  As a freelancer, the work is never steady so I also do tattoos on people.  I am currently looking for a full-time job and also trying to finish building my stabilizer rig, all while raising my son.  Indie projects are a great avenue for gaining experience when the pro gigs won't hire.  Be sure to get copies of your shots to use for your own personal demo reel, and keep practicing.

[Trevor Crump]

There is no 'Go down this path and one will succeed' You start with your rig, do anything possable, at any level and work towards your goal.

I am a Photographer or I should say WE are photgraphers (my other half is as well) we also build aircraft of the side.
If you want to be a TV camera man, you need to learn what the TV need and how they do it. this is not how everyone else shoots, the needs are different.

I shoot 'Events', concerts, weddings, bands and live performance. planning is different. Have worked on some film production, but find the demand too great for me, both physical and mental.

TV has never been a big thing with me, but as an independant, I sometimes get asked to shoot for them. (events type work)

[Joe Sanders]

Mostly I’ve done events. Small ones around a thousand people in the audience.  I love the buzz of the stage people getting ready, the lighting people all working on lights, the dancers or actors practicing, The director going crazy, but totally relying on us because we worked together before.  It’s a real rush.

Then later when you spent 5 times more time editing then the money was worth, and you wonder why you never bought a live mixer

But is all worth it when people come up to you later and say “wow that was so cool” (or something like that).

Yup; it doesn’t get much better than that.

[Joe Sanders]

But the real kick is setting up that 9 meter crane and having the audience feel like they’re at the academy awards or something.

[Trevor Crump]

But the real kick is setting up that 9 meter crane and having the audience feel like they’re at the academy awards or something.

You just had to bring that up didn't you Joe, mine is only 2 mtrs... I feel so inadiquate (again)

Hell that would be a sight to behold... I can just imagine the feeling

[Wade Francom]

Yes, you can go many ways to become a pro. The reason why people say to do the news circuit first is because this is the best way to learn the basics of good photography...good composition, following the ball, and more. If you learn those basics, more advanced shooting techniques can be learned later. These techniques are what I call making the shot "dynamic". Making the shoe dynamic can encompass anything from adding dimension and movement to your shots, to planning your shots for the edit. Plus, a news studio is going to be a whole lot more forgiving to a newcomer than a film set.

Currently I work as a photographer/graphic artist for and ABC affiliate in Salt Lake City during the evening hours.  I also shoot commercials, films, and features as they come along through a company I helped start, Coalition Mediagroup. This company is new on the market here, but already have 2 short films, a national commercial, a music video, and a feature film on the way, all in the past year.

The freelance stuff I have done recently include handheld camera at the 2002 Winter Olympics slalom races and opening/closing ceremonies, jib and jib assist for concerts/events, and more live-to-air stuff than I can remember. I've had my share of time on the film set, too, as a cameraman, and as a director. So I am familiar with the long days and tough work that a film presents.

[MikkoWilson]

As a freelancer, the work is never steady so I also do tattoos on people.

At first I thought you where refering to "operating" Steady  .. in which case tatoos didn't sounds like a good 2nd choise for a shaky hand

 - Mikko

[Michele Coser]

Besides Steadycam - that for now is not a work, but i hope it became - i am, (but i'm not sure if is the right word) a building surveyor.
In the past years i've also tried to became a nurse at hospital, but i left the university due to the fact that i don't like studies and professors

My objective is to slowly leave the actual work while starting doing video/cinema works "full time"

[Hans Dijkman]

real name post test

[Trevor Crump]

Just had to let you all know that I/ err We build airplanes when not being a videographer/photographer. Our new aircraft has just arrived home after a 2-1/2 year wait. We are excited, now we have to fit it out...
This is where our Fibre Glass work came in...
If anyone wishes to have a look www.ConceptAir.com.au would be the place to go.

Everything very quiet this time of year, just weddings to shoot, not much 'steadi' work. it's too damned hot to work on things outside, but great drinking weather, as a matter of fact I've got one now, a man sized thirst that is.

[Aaron Graf]

I'm an IT call center supervisor at Commerzbank in Frankfurt Germany. I used to be self-employed and worked at several big banks in Frankfurt on the trading floor, but then the Commerzbank made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

Filming is still just a hobby, but I recently opened up a little business with a friend and hope to start making money with it soon!!

[Wade Francom]

I'm a photographer for an ABC station in Salt Lake City during the night-side (which explains why I work on my junk during the wee-hours of the morning). That works me about 40-60 hours a week. During the mornings until I go to my station, I tackle whatever projects come my way with Coalition. Lately, it's been pretty slow... just some commercials, a real -estate virtual tour gig, some low-budget music videos and a movie that's been on the work-table for over a year now, and still has yet to see the light of day.

[Leigh Wanstead]

I am a programmer with 20 years computer experience.

Regards
Leigh

[Tom Wills]

I'm an ENG camera operator and AVID editor for a company that films sporting events, not to mention being a high school student.