Steadicam Flyer demo clip

[Charles King]

The pleasure is all mine. Thanks for your kind comments.

[Cedric Akins]

I finally got to see some of your test footage. But I would like to see test footage shot on one of your homebuilt rigs. Great work. Would you ever con sider doing a video on the operational techniques you have learned. Also you could do one on the varing types of arms and the differences of each, and it could probably include adjustments of each one. Just a thought.

Cedric

[Charles King]

I will do one but none of my old arms are availble. I'm designing an arm at the moment which will be my final and most complete arm. Yep, no more building just flying this time. It's taking awhile due to circumstances but things are looking so good that I'm excited already.

When my arm is done I'll do a demo and shed some light of my experieces in my next book which I'm also working on. I've also been busy with other stuff so that's why I havn't been on the forum lately.

BTw, were you also talking about commercial systems as well or just homebuilt?

[Cedric Akins]

I was more intersested in the home built stabilizers. But any technical information you provide on sleds, arms, and vests are extremely useful.

But what about doing that training video?  ;DI think that would be a really good idea .

[Charles King]

I just may. It will depend  if Charles Papert will come out with his training video or not. But time will tell. I always believe if someone else does it right from the beginning then there would no resaon to do another unless it is competely revolutionery.

[Tery Thompson]

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<strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Wow, if this had been around when I started thinking of making my rig, I probably wouldn't even have bothered building it. I just would have run out and bought the darn thing, and spent the next four years flying it instead of building it.<hr>

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I had to look at the name on this post to see if I had written it and just didn't remember doing it.  Indicam (my rig) has been four years in the creation, testing, etc. as well so I can sympathize with your comments.  Little did we know how much time, money, and learning we would end up doing in building a stabilization system but that's how the trade gets better.  I'm now much better informed on the linearity of the gimbal than I would have been if I had just bought a real good rig.

I hope Charles P. gets better, finishes his remodel, gets very bored, and has a few weeks to do his video as he is really good at describing all the more subtle aspects of flying a rig.  We have learned a lot about it but he has some ideas that I haven't even thought about.  If he doesn't put one together fairly soon someone else will as there is a real need out here for training.

Charles-thanks for all the time you spend on this site.

Tery

[Charles King]

...it's a pleasure Tery

[Tery Thompson]

Charles,

I neglected to say I have added a new practise exercise to my routine because of your clip.  It's called the hands free float. You did such a good job on your demo clip that I will have a lot to learn before I can do that as well as you.  My biggest problem is that I have my arm set "low" so my human arm will take up the extra weight and do the final dampening.  I found that this is the best set-up for lighter rigs and the extra weight I have to hold up is not very much.

Tery

[Charles King]

A honest and humble positive comment to me Tery. Thank you. I must also add that it's harder to work with a lighter load than a heavier one due to the physics involved.  Though, on the other hand,  it is easier to control the rig with your body due to the lighter weight than a heavier rig. So there is a balance between the two.

[Joe Sanders]

Just watched the demo--very nice.  The only thing that puts me off is the post is so small.  Do you know the size?  I went to a 1.5 for a lot of reasons--matches my gimbal, etc,--I just like size in a post.  Now if I could match that arm to my sled--does it use the standard arm post?  On another note, it was good to hear your voice and see what Sweden loks like.  Not familiar with either.

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My sentiments exactly.

It was good to hear your voice.

Thank you Charles,

[Charles King]

Thanks Joe. Sweden is a nice place. Very beautiful during the summer but can get cold during the winter. The post is small. If I can remember I think it is around 15 to 20mm in diameter. Mike, is my calculations correct? I don't think the arm post is standard issue. BTW, have you taken a look at the detail pics i took of the flyer?

[Mike Carolan]

Yes Charles I'm pretty sure it's 19mm thick.
Mike

[michael stevenson]

Mike,

You want to go on my fantastic Hollywood tour? It starts with a 2 day workshop at the steadicam factory in Glendale. Then we would go to Burbank and the NBC and Warner Brothers lots. Do you like special effects? How about the Pixar and Disney studios? Do you think I'm kidding? Check it out I guarantee you will have a great time. All you have to do is fly into LAX.

Michael

[michael carolan]

Thank you Michael...sounds great...you never know maybe one day..
Mike

[Tom Bufkin]

Hi Charles,  I find myself leaning more for a commercial rig opposed to building.  I watched your Steadicam Flyer clip (thank you for that) and of course with no experience with any stabilizer all I can do is pick up on your and others in the groups opinion that the Flyer is a quality made thumbs up kind of rig if one is going commercial.

As Phil Kindred stated about the apparent small size of the post I'm curious about what it is made of  & how well it would handle the XL-2, wireless mic, & related stuff.  I spoke with Tiffen and they assured me the weight of the XL-2 system should not be a problem but I would really like some more input from anyone that has used the Flyer with a cam of that weight.

My responsibilities prohibit me from attending the upcoming work shop.  I know that is the best way to learn many things but I'm stuck with learning the hard way.

So if any body can share some knowledge/experiences please let me know.  BTW is it really OK to use the inexpensive batteries from electric drill kits?  If so, I won't have to take out a second mortgage on the house though it might look strange wearing all that nice equipment with a hardware store battery attached.

Thanks in advance,
Tom Bufkin