New flyer

[Greg Corke]

Hi Everyone,

Getting new steadicam flyer today. just wondered if anyone has any newbie tips? exciting stuff.

Merry Christmas everybody Greg

P.S. After seeing your flyer demo Charles I had to get one, Awesome!

[Charles King]

I'll throw in something before Mikko or the others do.

1.  Make sure you check all the parts to see that you have everything in place. Screws, bolts and nuts are in place. Look at the manual. Jusat check to see that everything is tight and not loose. You'll be surprise.

2. Make sure you look at the tape that comes along with the flyer, if you did get one. It is slightly comparable to the EFP video but not totally. It will definately get you up and running in not time.

3. I suggest you put the rig on and get a feel of it with out adding any weight(camera). See how it behaves with the sled. Then you can mount your camera and give it another run around to get the feeling of it. One thing you'll notice is a feeling in your lower back muscle. The one that doesn't get used so often. You have nothing to worry about because the weight for this rig is not that bad but you will feel it a little.

Just get a feel of it and how your lower back response to the weight.

4. Take a couple of unplanned shots. Just anything. THe idea is to see how effective this system is without actually operating the rig, if you know what I mean? This should give you a some sense of how effective the rig is without any training.

5. Always hold the rig close to you depending on the situation.

6. The idea of the arm is to isolate your movements and place it outside of the arm. Try to avoid erractic movements. In most situations this cannot be avoided. One thing is that the more weight you place on the rig the better it will behave. This will definatley help in isolating movements and stop them from getting through.

7. One important thing that never ends - Practice! Practice! Practice! That's the best advice anyone can give to a person. The pros still do practice.

[MikkoWilson]

...And here I come..

Congratulations on your purchase, you are in for a treat!

Good advice from Charles..i like #4.. interesting idea - jsut remerbe that as soon as you beginto actually practice you need to plan your shots

Watch the Video and Read the manual.  The early Flyers where shipped with only the Mini manual. If you don't get a Flyer manual get online here and download it: http://www.steadicam.com/videoFlyer.html - In fact I'd sugest you downlaod it and read it BEFORE you get the rig (easier to concentrate!)
When you pull it out of the box be really sure to follow the intrustions.
Other sugested reading is the Ultra manual (it still works the same way) and in fact read everythign else here too: http://www.steadicam-ops.com/soamanual.shtml

If possible, go to a workshop. That is my #1 advice to any starting operator.

Some more practical tips too: check the safty catch on the stage, and remeber to tighten the fore-aft locking screw. ALso remeber to ALWAYS have the sled horizontal when you open the gimble!

When un-docking, the pin will slip out ot eh gimbel REALLY easy at the RIGHT ANGLE - Don't force it! Just lean forward more, suppor teh gimbel with one finger and let he pin just drop out.. it will come.   - same for the arm in the socket block, it is intetionaly a snug fit, but again at teh right angle it will move very easily.

Make sure you take time to understand and set your threads correctly - you should never be fighting the rig. (it pulling on you)

Steadicam is just liek riding a bike: The first time you will blow it, but once you know how it will become 2nd nature and you will never forget it.

The very first time you put the rig on, you will suck. Period. Everyone does. It will be all over the place and feel very strange. As soon as you pick it up off the stand for the first time, dock it again. That's the first thign to practice, you mus tbe able to dock whenever you want. Practicing it will also build up yoru very basic operating posture and famileraity with the rig. Once you can dock (and step out of the gimble) properly, then try the 'first flight'. You will still suck, and your back will get tired quickly. Dont' worry about it. You will very qwuickly gain stamina in that mussel and in a bout a week of regular practice you will feel much more comfterble.. you wont' even notice that muscle. And by then everything will have improved greatly. Don't get dishartened if it seems hard at first. Some peoepl have the 'nack' after 5 mins, some peole it takes longer. But eveyone can learn.

There is one erro in the manual.. it sugests that you draw on the monitor with a grease pencil.. DON'T!  - run your camera without a tape and you will have a little blinking icon in the middle - you will understand when you get there.

Follow the manual and the video, take you time, and practice practice practice.
Most importantly of all: Have fun! ...and more importantly still: BE SAFE!

 - Mikko

[Charles King]

Couldn't have said it better Mikko.

[Greg Corke]

Hi Guys,

Well a lot of sage advice, many thanks. Just like to say Charles the bit about checking the parts. I got it home and within twenty minutes I noticed there was a slight binding only to discover there was a bearing missing in the top part of the top block (nearest camera)!! I freaked for ten minutes then got my calm head on again. Anyway, cut a long story short, took it back today,bearing was added and all systems normal again (thank the Lord).  Well I better get on lots of practice to do. I shall try and post some footage at some point so you guys can have a good laugh. A beautifully engineered bit of kit.

All for now, Merry Christmas guys, Greg.

P.S. always wondered what people meant by 'that muscle' it's funny, you experience it first and then you know exactly what everybody means.  All the best guys.

[Charles King]

...well ain't that a coincident. Well, it's a good thing you noticed it before hand. glad you like the rig and again - Enjoy yourself. That arm is one helluva pices of mechanic. I'm still awe!!!