NEWS FOR OPERA Tons AND OWNERS Volume 3 number 2 A ri/1991

valleys, alleys, or arenas. Skyman carries both skvrnon" hardmount Steadi cam and operator at speeds up to 30 mph with, as Skyman is a new vehicle fo r they say , complete aerial Steadicam shots, comfort and safety. It invented and developed hy consis ts of an ultra­ Garrett Brown and Jerry light aerial cablecar Holway. (patent pending) with foot-operated brak ing and 360 degree rotation. COMPACT on Steadicam. Skyma n™ was designed to The Skyman project began in Magazine is prototyp e fabricated extend the capabilities of the Stead­ December as we prepa red for a demo from Arri IIC mag. Made out of icam system by providing a fast, of "C ablecam" (our remote camera Kevlar, the final design will be reliable, lo-tech "flying carpet" for gadget which rolls down a wire), for lighter, sleeker, and closer to shots over inaccess ible spaces such as Steven Spielberg's "Hook." Jerry camera body. rivers, canyons, busy intersections, Skyman, continued on page 2 The Moviecam Compact

*This is a preliminary report . At the beginning ofMarch, I will he picking up a camera and will write a more extensive piece for the Stead­ icam Letter once I have had the opportunity to live with the Compact f or a while. - Ted Churchill

The Moviec am Compact, Stead icam configuration: Technical spec s: • Body: Aluminum casting, integrated heater, regular and Super 35 forma ts, 12-32 FPS crys tal at one frame increments, 180 degree shutter, variable to 45 degrees. • Magazines, Steadicam-type: Ultra-light Kevlar 400' vertical displacement at optical center of camera, forward/reverse. • Weig ht: 21 lb, 10 oz without film or lens. Final versio n will be less, perhaps significantly. • Width : 6.3 inches • Length: 11.3 inches

Compact, continued on page 6 Page 2 the smoothest vehicle in the world, effortlessly shooting over terrain that would otherwi se have given you heartburn? Con sider some of the Skyman shots that we 've been discussing with potential clients: o Flying diagon ally down and across a valley in Gettysburg as a cavalry charge rumbles ju st beneath us on the oppo site diagonal. o Floating down over the audi­ ence, across the barrier and out over the ice rink to overtake the figure­ skaters for a feature in Canada. o Intersecti ng in mid-air with the stunt double for an aging Peter Pan as we zoom over a sound-stage. o Drifting slowly over ground littered with fallen columns amid the ruins of the Roman Forum. o Doing the "crane shot " we know and love, but continuing farther, The original wooden version. It higher, faster over the prison yard at worked, but looked dumb San Quentin. Wow! As I think back on my The Don Juan is a real pleasure feature shooting career, there are Skyman, continued from page 1 dozens of shots which would have been bette r and even easier with 2x4's, and the next day, Janu ary 2, we Holway had shown Cablecam's Skyman. How about the "plates" hung a 200 foot wire between some capability for straight-ahead "swoop­ throu gh the trees for Jedi, not to trees overlooking a valley. The rig ing" shots, but at the same time mention all those shots which were was suspended on a pair of leftover identified a need for shots that might never even contemplated, but which Skycam pulleys and was simply require remote pan and tilt. would have been terrific, like above pulled back to the start of the run with Skyrnan" is not to be confused the rope bridge on Indiana Jones and ropes by our houseguests-cum -grips. with Skycam" which is currently the Temple of Doom. Upon release, it rolled nearl y all the being reborn in the USA and which way to the other end of the wire and will be smaller and slicker than The Design most of the way back. before, but is not expected to be ready Michael (Wolfen) Wadl eigh in time for Spielberg's movie. Jerry The initial prototype was con­ helped out by directing some im­ and I considered merely upgrad ing structed (virtually overnight) from promptu stunt action designed to take Cablecam with a remote pan/tilt head , advantage of the complete forward/ but ultimately concluded that we back ward move, and we "rolled" might as well just fly the operator! camera, as it were, and ran inside at We had been impressed with the intervals to get warm while playing potential of Jimmy Muro's ride down back the results . the wire in Jam aica for " M owby" (see The shots were impressive ­ Letter, Vol I, #3), so we decided to ultra-smooth Cablecam-type shots, start with a clean slate and make a but with smooth pans and tilts. Al­ brand-new gadget - a special cablecar though the "uneven parallelogram " to provide the best possible platform design did in fact minim ize swaying for airborne Steadicam shooting . during sudden stops , it was a cramped, uncomfortable and generally The Shots dumb-looking contraption, and it did not allow continuous pans of much You may be wondering why we'd more than 200 ' before you either bother - after all, how many requests looked at or bumped into yourself. have you had to fly on a wire? None? A return trip to the drawing board But think about it. How many times that evenin g produced the final design have you had to stop at the brink (as seen in the subsequent photos), rather than continue on over that and we conducted another test flight impa ssable ground, up into the air, three days later. Holway departed the over obstacles, walls, trees, etc.? next day to show Spielberg the video Wouldn't you enjoy being able to ride Preparing for "let-go" demo. Page 3 execute the shot. A conventional 3­ ton chain-hoist can be employed at one end of the cable to fine-tune the tension . Afterward , following final checks and the roving of safety chains to back up the attachments at both end s, the operator and rig are lifted to the most convenient location for boarding by whatever means are requ ired, such as indust rial lift or guyed ladder. This operation clearly demands care in order to safely get up onto the seat and strapped in without dropping the rig. Once aboard, the operator keeps Detail of the traveler and shocks ... the spar rough ly vertical by varyi ng the distance the camera is held away Skyman consists of an overhead from the center column. (The cameral trolley with pulleys, and suspended sled weight is counterbalanced by the from it is a center column designed to weight of the operator at a closer Low mode made easy swivel fore-and-aft during accelera­ distance to the center column.) This tion or deceleration. This motion is sounds like work, but in fact is quite few inches. damped by dual adjustable shock­ routine. Neither Jerry nor I have yet been absorbers between the trolley and the The feet rest easily on the aboard Skyman hundreds of feet in column so that the latter quickly steering surface with the right foot the air, but we can report that at least returns to vertical but doesn't swing always near the brake pedal. A gentle within twenty feet of the ground, it is endlessly like a pendulum. push on the whee l makes the seat and a very unexciting ride and feels quite An outer tube rotates freely rig rotate around to any attitude, even secure. There are no side accelera­ around the column and carries a while rolling along the wire. A tions and no bump s. Stops and starts motorcycle seat for the operator and a sudden stop, either due to the grips are undram atic because you are bracket opposite for the Steadicam holdin g the seco ndary lines or straddling both the column and the arm. Down below is a steering wheel application of the onboard brakes, spar which holds the seat, so there is welded to the bottom of the center merely causes the column to lean no direction in which you are un­ column which supports the operator' s forward and then swing back vertical. braced. In addition, you are belted in feet and permits easy rotation of the Unlike the normal vehicle shots we and your feet are firml y supported. rig in any direction. have experienced (which tend to dive The Steadicam offers no violent In addition, there is an inboard upon braking), this vehicle makes it forces and is easier to operate with brake pedal, which rotate s along with easy. The rig doesn 't try to get away Skym an than with any other kind of the operator so it can alway s be found from you, but only appears to dip a vehicle (includi ng your feet!). I with the operator's right foot. The imagine that wind will be a problem at force from this pedal is led up to the times, particularly when movin g at trolley by a rod, via slip-rings, to a high spee ds, but otherwise it' s a piece conventional bicycle brake assembly of cake. with extra-large pads. The pads clamp For one thing, by simply rotating down on the wire so the operator can the entire column, you can tilt the make precise stops at will. camera down and still pan 360 0 without hitting the battery on the arm. The Procedure It's a comfortable enough situation on board, barring heat or cold, that I In use, a cable of appropriate could contemplate working there for specs (see "Safety," below) is hours at a time. attached between secure supports to Batteries, mags, and lunch could provide the designed path for the shot. be raised as needed with a small One may need to adjust the exac t basket and coil of line stowed beneath tension of the wire so that the travel­ the seat. It's a great ride. It can move ing Skyman will have the needed along at high speed and yet remain as clearance above (or through) obstacles serene a Steadicam platform as can be along the way. The easiest way to found . As with many other such determine this is to hang the Skym an, devices, the real challenge is the sandbagged to the final weight, and design of wonde rful shots appropriate pull it along the route with whatever to this new technology . light secondary lines will be used to ... and of the seat and hardmount Skyman, continued on page 4 Page 4 show ing broke n outer strands, and a significant number of these would break before the cable was eve n seriously weakened. "The flatter a cable is stretched between two points, the greater the tension caused by an object hung in the middle. Even a feather would theoretically exert infinite force on a cable stretched absolutely flat." Two other areas are potentially hazardous. The first is the tennina­ tion, support, and attachment of the cab le at its ends. My worldwide experience during the Skycam project and subsequently with Cablecam has particularly alerted me to scrutini ze Inventors Brown and Holway with fabricator Ed Quay this area of opera tion for unsafe practices. Some grips are not conser­ Skyman, continued from page 3 According to current engineering vative enough for my taste. Some are standards, cab le with a breaking strain expert at rigging practice and some Safety of at least double the static operating just fake it. Thimbles, clamps, and tension should be safe. We recom­ crimps must be properly applied. The Sky man itself is massively mend a fac tor of at least three-times Structures and objects chosen for overbuilt and co uld withstand the for ultima te peace of mind. Stainless support or attachment must be weight of ten opera tors with equip­ 7x 19 cab le is appropriate because it certified to be strong enough. ment. In fact, it is never subjected to can withstand the sma ll bend ing any notable stress in the context of radius needed for pulleys , clamp s, and use. It is the selection and deploy­ thimbles. ment of the cable and attachmen ts Our tests were conducted using which must be quite rigorous. We 1/4" cable with a break ing strain of have made an extensive study of these 6,400 pounds. It weighs 12 pounds requirements, including engi neering per hundred fee t and the total weight consultation, and have come to the of the cable must be mentally added to conclusion that Skyman can be used the "load." The slope angle must be with complete safety, but its use does measured at the rig rather than at not fall within the realm of conven­ either end. tional grip-department practice. Generally it is not necessary to The flatter a cable is stretched tension cables as fla t as the above­ between two points, the greater the ment ioned five degrees. Most shots tension caused by an object hung in can be obtained with ten degree or the middle (see diag ram). Even a twenty deg ree slopes, which only feather could theoretically exert exert, respectively 3x and l.5x the infinite force on a cable stretched load. Theoretically, at these tensions, absolutely flat. In practice, however, much lighter cable could be used, but note that an object resulting in a five I doubt that I would ever operate with degree slope of the cable below less than the 7x19 1/4" stainless in horizontal will cause a tensile force case the wire unexpectedly had to be equal to nearly six times its own cranked tighter. Kee p in mind that weight. sudden stops, wind, etc., add a small The com plete Skyman weighs component of dynamic loading to the about 44 pounds, plus Steadicam and calcula ted static tension. operator totals perhaps 300 pounds. Reass uringly, the chances of a This resu lts in an 1,800 pound tension properly specified and deployed cable on the wire, a force routine ly dealt breaking are statistically non-existent. with by riggers and steeplejacks, but In the first place, a cable which is Threading through the trees at not by grips. even close to tensile failure will begin thirty mph PageS Letter to editor

Jerry, I ju st received the November 1990 ne wsletter, and I would like to comment on a few points you raised in yo ur article on the EFP. As yo u can imagine, I have already begun mod ification s of my EFP. I have beefed up the straps with posi-Ioc Fastex buckles and heavy­ dut y nylon belts. 1 have also ju st finished adding some illumination for

4 .~ ~ .707 " 10;,,1 the bub ble level on the monitor. I used an LED placed in a hole cut in the rubber mount behind the glass Test condition s: load at cen ter of wire and attucb mcm points of wire at cquul heights . Also note that the weight of the wire is part of load. level. I added a switch and wired the LED into the mo nitor power source Wire tension chart for Skyman, Cablecam, or wet laundry (via a 1000 ohm resis tor) and now I can see the bubble even in low light For example, it is unsafe to the ca tenary be hav ior of the support con dition s. simply attac h the cable high up on a wire as Skyrnan rolls along is not Secondly, I, too, am not a J-7 fan . tree, even if it's a big tree! If 1,800 easily predictable. I recently co mpleted a two-hou r live pounds of lateral force won't pull it For the present, the rig is avail­ shoo t of the Phoe nix sympho ny, and over, it wi ll at least flex it enough to able on ly with Jerry Holway as since we did not have a chance to make your run extrem ely springy and operator. After we get some experi­ rehearse, we were quite unaware of hard to ca librate. If it' s necessary to ence with the mac hine, other SOA wha t was to happ en Of when. T hus use a tree for support, it is a far better operators wishing to book and ope rate there was mu ch hectic adj usting of idea to run the wire ove r a strong for k Skyman will be able to co me to Ph ila­ foc us and zoom. As I had to let go of in the tree and down at an angle to de lphia to attend a special workshop. the sled in ord er to focus, the shoot ano ther tree for attac hme nt quit e close T he wo rkshop will cover the riggin g, became a real ordea l. I did manage to to the gro und. The first tree sho uld be scouting, and surv eying elements that get some good sho ts, but a zoom and likewise guyed back so there is no net go into the safety aspects of Skyman focus system is rea lly needed. (Ed lateral force on it, and incidentally, as we ll as the design of shots that note: see Classifieds h Also, I have the fork should be reinforced against really work. Poorly conceived cable the new co lor mon itor and I'm splitting. runs require time-consuming adjust­ pleased with its operation. However, Get the picture? Be overly ments and may even cause insur­ outdoor shooting has been tough cautious. Is that fire escape attached mountable production problems. because of the screen. Your comment strongly eno ugh to the building to These caveats aside , Skyman is a to remove the sunshade and let the withstand Sky rnan? That depends! mag ic carpet! We are excited about light hit the screen has help ed a lot. We are talking about roughly ten the possibilities and look forward to Last, but certainly not least, is the times the force imposed by Cablecam . ge tting some solid experie nce on the concern over the market and the effec t The building itself is strong enough, first few bookings. the EFP will have on it. I am a novice but you may need to co ntinue the wire Th e current specifications and ope rator who bought an EFP becau se beyond the fire escape to an attach­ rental rates are as foll ows: it was not possible to bu y a IlI A. I ment poi nt which is at least in sheer Weight: 44 Ibs w/out Steadicam and will by a lIlA as soo n as possible, but and not there fore pull ing away from opera tor . unt il then I still need to work and gain the structure. Chafing on the cable Ca ble: 1/4" 7x19 stainless steel experience. I am not here to under­ must be strenuously avoided as well Max . run: 2,000 feet mine the market, but rather expand it as over-sharp bend s, etc. If safe Max. heigh t/drop: depends on the by ma king more producers/directors riggi ng practices are employed, operator aware of what we , as operators, can Skyrnan can be safe. Max. speed: 30 mph do for them. As Ted Churchill so Skyman operation can have, of Sh ipping : Three 50 Ib cases (w/ aptly put it, " it's the operator, not the course, hazards like any other sort of ou t cable) equipmen t, which gets the shot." So vehicle shoo ting . One must avoid Ren tal : $600/day, 3 day week if any of the operators take offense at acc idents caused by dropping tools or Skyman patent pe nding us poor fo lk who canno t yet afford rolli ng into things, including tran si­ luxur y, please ask them to look me up. tory obstac les like stunt vehicles or Garrett Brown I am not hard to find. extras. Power lines above and below • the path are a particular hazard , since George Paddock Page 6

Compact, continu ed from page 1

• Sound level: Under 20 db • Mounts: BNCR and PL avail­ able from Moviecam • Registration: Compensating link movement; 2 pull down, 2 registration pins • Video assist: Steadic am co nfigu­ ration: B&W CCD with gain control, flickerl ess, 100% of light, sits snugly on top, low-profile • Configurations: Steadicam, hand-held , and studio • Accessories, handheld and studio: Viewfinder block, extension eyepi ece, B&W and Color Video assists, 500' & 1000' magazines, Moviespeed control and a host of handles and many other accessories for both studio and hand-held operation. COMPACT movement permits very fast threading. Knobs are pushed in to "Gabriel's ability to quickly adjust loop design a superb camera is seconded fail to survey those who use the camera that sounded every bit to be only by his willingness products and then are surprised and the perfect solution for Steadicarn, to listen, something indignant when those users either and for most other cinemagraphic ap­ criticize or patently reject them. plications as well. Thu s in November, that Steadicam For the Steadicam operator, the during my annual pilgrimage to operators have found realm of 35mm sound cameras is a Europe to teach Steadi cam to our sorely lacking in the case in point. Germ an cameras have neighbors across the pond , I con­ past. The other day he either pro ved hardl y qu iet enou gh or spired, between clas ses in England sent me photos of weigh almo st beyond the capacity for and Germany, to make a visit to both the old and new humans to lift or a combination of the Vienna, armed with checkbook, to magazine two - the conventional Panafle x and scope it out. components. Since I Moviecam Super Americ a falling into Vienn a is beautiful, undoubtedly was there last he has the latter category. The Panaglide, the cleanest city r have yet to visit. A managed to take a both light and quiet, alas, is on (and feeling of order reigns. At an open good two pounds off I'm told over) the cusp of obsoles­ zoo on its outskirts, one can watch the cence , and finally, the Light weight wild boars at whate ver they're doing. the camera!!" Panaflex - light, quiet, and often Across the stree t in a small build ing, impossible to get ahold of. The on the top floor, Comp acts are bein g In this techn ological age where 35mm Aaron, a point of light at the quietly and meticulously assembled. I change happen s with alarming speed, end of a tunnel, turns out to be further talked at length with Gabri el and one hesitates to invest in anything away than even the most imaginative closely examined the Compact. What even remotely associated with dreamers among us (myself included) follows are my impressions. I will electronics for fear something far could have ever anticipated. In all, it primarily concentrate on the Com­ better will surface the instant one appears that camera manufacturers pact's appli cations for Steadicam opens the instruction manu al and have not considered Steadicam high although it has many impre ssive today ' s state-of-the-art purch ase on their list of priorities, particul arly feature s conventional operators will becomes magically transformed into surprising when one considers its find most appealing. tomorrow's doorstop. previous revolutionary and currentl y I confess beforehand that I am in Fortunately, the world of film ubiquitous contributions to the art of love with the camera both in its production equipment hardly suffers cinematog raphy. conception and execut ion. Gabriel from that malignancy of our age. So it was with this history (dare I seems to have thou ght of virtually Howev er, anoth er takes its place: say attitud e?) and no little interest that everything. One must keep in mind equipment takes forever to design and I heard rumors filtering down from that had he set about to make a go into production, and, as often than last fall' s Photokina show that Gabriel camera solely for the Steadicam, it not, it will be ill-conceived, poorly­ Bauer had surprised and delighted might well have been different, but fabricated or both and, in most cases, everyone (except perhaps other not very much. Indeed, it is so well inadequ ately fulfill s our requirements. camera manufacturers) with the thought out, there was very little input To add insult to injury, manufacturers Moviecam Compact, a new modular I could offer. For one as opinionated Page 7 and sled closer to the body (particu­ larly in low-mode), thereby greatly reducing fatigue. The compact is as short, if not shorter (I have not seen the final magazine design) than other competi­ tive cameras, the Compact also excels in this area . I mentioned to Gabriel that the Steadicam magazine might be moved slightly closer to the body, a suggestion he took seriously and now says has been done (even closer than I had requested). VIDEO ASSIST In the Steadicam configuration, Gabriel has used a 100%-of-the-light optical system for the CCD . A gain control knob resides in front. The monitor picture is extremely sharp edge-to-edge and flicker free. We m [ metered a scene at ASA 1000, readin g 5.6. I stopped the lens down to Tl6 CCD sits atop Compact body. 100% of light goes to video camera which is and could still see an adequ ate picture. flickerless, very fast and very sharp edge-to-edge. Gain control knob can be Not too shabby. The video assist seen in front; magazine latch under camera camera and optics mount atop with two screws in about ten second s. It also lies very close to the camera and critical as I, that says quite a bit WEIGHT body, thus allowing a low-m ode plate right there. Weighing in at 19 lbs, the to sit tightl y again st the top of the Compact is lighter than the Light­ body. Another big plus. OVERVIEW weight Panaflex, not much more than POWER SUPPLY For the Steadicam operator, there an Arri III. Although it is by no Unlike Arri cameras and like are eight basic issues to address in a means a featherweight, its sleek those of Panavision, the Compact runs new camera, particularly if one is design, with much of that weight on 24 volts. For the time being , this about to plunk down big bucks for it­ condensed and centered atop the requires that one eith er run the camera cost, weight, footprint, sound level, Steadicam's center post, and the with an external source (meaning a precision of registration, video assist, thinner-than-normal body, makes it cable to the rig) or hump around a power supply, and, ultimately, availa­ feel remarkably lighter. compatible supply or a converter. As bility both to the camera and service. Could it be lighter still? Upon I resist adding extra weight, the Briefly, we'll take each . asking Gabriel this question, he was converter is probably the answer, at COST quick to point out that lessening the least temporarily. Ultimately, a main If you haven't bought anything weight of the camera without compro­ 24 volt supply on the Steadicam with substantial outside the USA lately, mising the sound level is simply not a stepdown to 12 volts for video, you may be shocked to discover just technologically possible at this point. servos, etc. is the answer for those of how little your dollar is worth . For We see this with the ultra-light 35mm us who primarily shoot 35 sound. A the Arri III I bought seven years ago , Aaton which emits substantially more far more efficient system, CP might the cost now is more than triple that noise and is apt to continue to do so. do well to reconsider this. price. So when one considers buying Also remember that the Compact is AVAILABILITY equipment from abroad , one must take not made exclu sively for Steadicam The other option to buying a new this into account. The Compact, set and thus must accommodate other camera is, naturally, to wait for the up for Steadicam mode with body, configurations such as norm al studio camera to get into rental houses. three magazines and video assist, will mode with thousand foot mags as well Although this will undoubtedly occur cost you about $170,000. That's a lot as hand-held. with the Compact, the question is of cold, long nights living out of the FOOTPRINT "When?" Becau se Movi ecam is not a back of a truck even before the 644 Perhaps the most excitin g feature huge company, and the cameras are contract is settled . Yet it only looks of the Compact is its thin profile. meticulously fabri cated and tested, steep until you compare it to the Measuring only slightly more than six this might be six month s to a year alternative, the BL III or IV - about inches across, it is substantially more before the Compact is readily avail­ the same price except the nights are "compact" than most other cameras. able in the USA . Ultimately, rental s not only cold and long but damn hard Not only does this provide far greater wiJl be the way to fly for most as well. So, although the present may opportunity to view the monitor with operators, and it will make life appear economically bleak, the future both eyes, rather than one , but also looks far rosier. allows the operator to hold the camera Compact, continued on page 8 Page 8 Compact, continued from page 7 phot os of both old and new magazine substan tially easier for us all. If one components. Since I was there last he wishes to buy a Compact a year from has managed to take a good two now, I suspec t the dollar will be worth pound s off the camera!! even less. So as a future purchaser, be My sugges tion to anyone who advised. entertains the thought of a camera to Perhaps the most over-riding get them throu gh the next decade is cause for rampant paranoia for anyone "buy one." And do it soon. One of with a new, unproven camera is the the primary reasons I j umped at the availability of main tenance and Compact is my fear, judging from the service should problems arise. I went lackluster performance of the dollar through it when J bought the first over the last seven years, that it will 16mm Aaton in the country years ago, dramatically increase in price within so I suppose I'm more equipped for the next year or two. The other option this than most, but I would be foolish is that operators attempt to persu ade if this were not a concern. As to the the rental houses with whom they deal Compact, there are rental houses in to serio usly co nsider having them for the USA which own the Super rental, if only to Steadicam operators. America, but none as yet has had any In place with serv ice mechanism s, the experience with the new Compact. camera would probably be rented Nevertheless, I was willing to eve ry day of the year . I'm off to temporarily overlook this for a Vienn a and Mu nich shortly and will number of reasons. First, the Com­ keep you informed of this adventure pact, utilizing the previo usly proven as it unfolds. Super America movemen t, drive train, Ted Chu rchill and much of the electronics, has an Churchill with Moviecam Compact excellent chance of being highly at Steadicam class outside reliable. Second, I am convinced that Munich, Germany last fall. The the camera will be extremely popul ar camera feels wonderful on the and this, in itself, will insure that such Steadicam because most of the a service mechanism will be put in weight is concentrated directly place in the very near future. Finally, over the center post at Gabriel's suggestion, I'm getting a spare main electronics board where it probably is most likely, although not probable, a problem would occur. We shall, of course, see. But confidence is high. WRAPUP As you might have suspected, I freely admit to being in love with this machine. The Compact could well turn out to be the best 3Smm sound camera ever prod uced; certainly it will be for Steadicam . From my brief ac­ quaintance with the camera in Vienna and Munich, it appears that Gabri el has overlooked very little. Indeed, when at the shop, there were very few suggestions I could offer: move the magazine as close as possible to the camera body (one- half inch), make as many of the small steel compone nts out of lighter mate rials and put an icon on the video assist gain control, so one knows which way to turn it­ all of which he subsequently has done. GREAT MOMENTS IN STEADICAM. His ability to design a superb camera A seized gimbal at Optex Steadicam course last fall. Ted Churchill says is seconded only by his willingness to "No problem, I've taken these apart plenty of times." CP had changed to listen, something that Steadicam non-captive bearing races. Instructors Martyn Porter, Chris Haarhoff and opera tors have found sore ly lacking in Andy Shuttleworth join Ted (holding the ever-valuable Steadicam letter) on the past. The other day he sent me the floor for an afternoon 's game of bearing pickup Page 9 Classifieds Better For sale: Steadicam Samurai ­ (hinge) $200. (list $420) and connect­ Mousetrap Fully biffed, tweaked and meticu­ ing pin spindle $250 (list $650). lously maintained Arri IIC with four Also: Brand new Model III fore/aft different hardfronts that accept any rot atin g adjustable plate for electron­ lens mount, even Panavision. CP ics module wi or to modified EFP / _ .••.. -----r--­ flatbase with DeRose variable speed sleds, includes lower post, clamps ( ) " ---/ 4 C\i motor with special setting for HMI $350. Betacam quick release dovetail balance. Russell low mode bracket, plate w/ tripod plate, $200. CEI video . _ - ~ - - - 1- - - - videotap with cinevid camera. 2 long assi st camera and Russell video tap, 'TI' throat magazines. West easy access mint, modified, $3,500. Steadicam plug remount with movable on/off vest , new pads modified, $1,600. switch. 2 hard cases, $18,000. A Leave message. (213) 372-1493. 13 eM deal!! Call Erich Sommers, (408) 1< 426-8834. For sale: 4 ARRI BL I's wi six 18-75 mm Cookes, 3-400' mags, Wanted: To know about follow­ blimp housing, matte box, 2-220v ing accessories: Springs 35-54 lb, batteries, cases, $31,000. 3 Ani BL cable follow focus, PAG fastcharger, II's, wi six 18-75mm Cookes, 3-400' viewfinder videotap. Please call mags, blimp housing, 2-220v batter­ collect: Marek at (415) 524-1586. ies , matte box, cases, $38,000. Arri Your effort will be appreciated by BL III wi five 16-85mm Zeiss, 2 filmmakers in Poland. 1000' mags, 2-400' mags, follow focus, ca ses , 6x6 matte box, PAL 4 em For Sale - Almost: In the last video camera, extension eyepiece. issue of the Letter, in the review of the ARRI BL III wi 2-400' mags, Arri r EFP, I mentioned that I had a zoom video tap , Philips NTSC video, 12" and focus control. What I should extension finder, cases, $82,000. Arri have mentioned is that the unit was 16 SR II wi 10-100 Zeiss zoom, 10­ designed and built by Robin Buerki, 150 Ang. zoom, 3-400' mags, eye­ and more importantly, that he is piece extension, 3 on board batteries, January 2, 1991 interested in turning over the design to 5-75f/sec control, univ . follow focus, In November's Letter, the CP , Seitz, or whomever wants to do a 2 stage matte box, Sachtler Pano 7 + DeRose equipment was of interest. production run . So if some operators 7, tripod legs, filters, ca ses , $24,000. For some time now, my counterparts out there are interested in Robin's Arri 35mm 2C's: PL mount $4,400, and I have been using a low-mode device ( and I love it...), then they BNC mount $5 ,200, Turret VIS bracket for the Arri BL similar to the should inquire with either Seitz or CP $4 ,200, Turret $4,200. Aaron Spr 16 one in the ad. However, as the to spark their interest in production. LT 54, SNlO24 wi 2-400' mags, diagram shows, ours ha s "legs" on -Ed. extension eyepiece, Ang. 10-150 one end of the clamps wh ich screw zoom, Angenieux 5.9mm lens, Battery into the camera body. This stops any For Sale: 1 Quick charger charger, 2 new batteries, case. Call twisting or rotating of the bracket (Roadland) 110/220 volts for one The Power Broker, (213) 470-7569 or relative to the camera even under very battery at a time. US $500. Also 1 fax (213) 470-1150. heavy work loads. You also don't CCD video assist unit for Arri IIC have to clamp down so hard on the including Sony AVC 01 video handle. camera CCD-NTSC plus Arri IIC 4mm between the top plate and door with custom made mount for it. the centre of the carrying handle will Iris in door's optical system. US be adequate to clear the video taps $5,000. Contact Klemens Becker, (cover caps) on top of the BL's . Ansgarstr. 14, D-1000 Berlin 28, In the next issue: I have been using the BL IV and telephone: 030 4018007, or Onasch Flyman" IVS now for some time in high and Filmgerate, Eisenzahnstr. 15, D-l 000 (another flying device!!), low -mode, and apart from the weight B.31 , telephone: 030-8923203. a safety device for use with factor, there doesn't seem to be any PAG chargers, trouble or harm caused to the equip­ For Sale: Spare Model I & II antennas, ment and/or operator. At thi s point I backup parts. Fore/aft camera the Seitz arm mod, still prefer the Arri III, but unfortu­ mounting platform, new gear, extras and much more!!! nately these are being taken out of $200. (list $432) Model II monitor service to be upgraded. bracketry, extras $60. (list $ 14 1) Vehicle mount arm backups: Elbow fan Jones Page 10 The All-Terrain Steadicam

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fJ('/~I{""~ ei.J J I.j.t ;'f:. -l.U. ~ _ . /br..ujw:c .... f.J.,(Od "~ · c" The "Gourgandine" on her way

Article by Bernard Wuthrich, observations, upon stopping, the harness of straps kept the operator in translated by Robin Buerki observer must be able to "turn" the place as he was jostled along the turret 360°. They decided the best course. Behind him, a shock-mounted During 1987 I had the chance to way to recreate a realistic environ­ bay held the VCR's, TBC, and work on an important project for ment was to use video images which monitors. Gerard, the director, was Thompson CSF. They were working were then digitalized for the pro gram. able to view a sort of Cinemascope on the development of a simulator for The AOV mu st traverse all sorts image : very flattering and very an Artill ery Observation Vehicle of terrain. To film the simulation unmerciful (Bernard! The bubblel), (AOV) intended for training the images, one must do likewise. Behind him was Ch ristian, " le French army . The AO V looks like a Gerard, the techn ician responsible for baliseur fou ," whose job it was to call tank devoid of weapo ns but equipped the project, believed that Steadicam out the distance markers. with very sophistica ted telemetry was the ideal solution. The mount for the Stead icam arm instrumen ts. In the turret, the opera tor was the most interesting and the most makes use of three windows for visual Three cameras on a Steadicam impress ive. The system was crea ted observa tion, eac h giving a 30° view of Th ree camera s, running in the preced ing yea r by Jean-M arc the surroundings. syncronization, were required to cover Bringuier, who did the first tests. It For the student using the simula­ the three windows of the simulator. consis ted of a solid steel right angle tor, it is important to have scenery to Three Betacam heads were mounted support at the end of which was a view through these windows, for on a plate with a side-to-side adjust­ univ ersal joint, free to move on all added realism. Thi s scenery must ment, their optical axes oriented at 30° axes (see diagram). Running through pass by, mimicking the speed of the to one another, without ove rlap or the joint was a vertical tube, on top of vehicle, and finally, at the time of the play. Each camera's image was which was welded the socket block recorded by a beta for mounting the arm . The bottom of deck, syncroniza tion the tube was ballasted with a weight ass ured by a of 50 kg. Thi s rig was designed to timebase corrector keep the mount for the arm as vertical loca ted at the min i­ as possible with the least effort by the control cen ter on the operator. Finally, attached to the plate vehicle. Despite was an " armrest," made fro m a being lightened to section of PVC tubin g covered with the maximum, the foa m. cameras' weight was Fairly quickly I set to modifying nearly at the load the "system Bringuier," which posed limit of the arm. several inco nve niences. First, The vehicle we successive bump s in the road had a used was a P4. The fast rhythm, so the ball ast tended to passenger seat was pendul arize, thus amplifying the removed and a movement s. (The 50 kg weig ht also woo den board was swung just a few centimeters from the Jean Marc operates as Gerard works with recorders. installed for the head of the driver and my legs!) A On the far left is "Ie baliseur fou" or the "crazy Steadicam artist. A simple hook and an adju stable bungee beaconing man" Page 11

The three cameras and part of the Bringuier-Wuthrich system. Notice the zooms of the Betas are locked to Gerard with recorders. Note bottom of B-W system with 30° with metal pieces. Also note: "Steadicam..." motion limiting device and spring cord attached to the bottom of the tube "How ' d it go, Bernard?" Me: "Fine." decidedly, the absolute weapo n solved the prob lem. Gerard: "Goo d- it's too long, let's try against shock. Having developed a However, the three-axis u-joint agai n." This went on for two month s. taste for the "fixed" mo unted Stead­ still twisted in the direction of sharp Our experiences taugh t us to strap me icam , I'm research ing a universal moveme nts. After breaking several down to the floor, otherw ise my legs mount, light and quickly installed, to sections of PYC , I decided another would be flying amo ng the recording use the Steadicam in helicop ters. solution was needed . Gerard (the machines. Imagine an operator providential man) and I fastened a hanging onto his Stead icam and Bernard Wuthrich little tube at 90° to the main , vertical floatin g in space . The TBC couldn ' t tube. The tube engaged in a sort of handle the shock, either, so Ger ard large washer that played the role of a sim ply decid e to use the camera's motion or travel limiter. When the genlock. It worked perfectly. Articles Wanted! main tube deflec ted too much, the The end of the story little tube would strike the washer and I had a chance to do a similar job Write in your native tongue and then be returned to its normal posi­ for an equestrian simulator. Th is time we will find atranslator! tion. From the moment we used this I made a much simpler platform: the limiter, I never again broke an Pictures may be in black and wh ite or arm support solidly mo unted on a color!! armrest. The "system board. The results were quite Bringuier-Wuthrich" was complete. satisfactory. The Steadicam arm is, :-~-==~====-=:..:~~~~~~~ La Gourgandine goes to war Your guess is as good The Best for Your Vest! as mine why the vehicle was baptized "La Gour­ gandine." (Jean-Marc , if CUSTOM PADS for Steadicam ® you know?) For the next Operator's Vest - Models I, II & III two months we crisscrossed routes in the east of France Lightweight, extremely comfortable, with this unusual equip­ very rugged and durable. Just ask: ment. Our shots had to hold Ted Churchill fast to a timing restriction: Larry McConkey the images were to be used Jim McConkey in the simulators in the David Emmerichs form of a video disc. After runnin g through a pre­ determined course (marked with colored flags for RITA KLEIN Christian) at slow speed, 212-249-0689 FAX 212 -473-4061 we would set off for our first take. Inevitably, at the © Ted Churchill 1989 end of the take, Gerard: Pa e 12 Essential EFP Modification ------100 Spring Garden Street Device makes dynamic balance Since buying my EFP in October Philadelphia, PA 19123 possible 1990, I have had cause to make (215) CALL CAM Fax (215) 592-9747 several modifications to it (Ed note: Jerry Holway, Editor see George Paddock 's letter to editor). The most significant was the Contributing Editor addition of a fore/aft plate for adjust- Garrell Brown

Bracket bolts i n here with She .... n ...,it ho ut· ment of the battery. The Steadicam Letter is published quarterly Honitor existing allen head sc rews . modification was in Philadelphia by the necessary becau se the Steadicam Operators Association, Inc. existin g rig is so com­ pletely out of dynamic Subscriptions: Free with membership. balance that any kind of For non-members, $42 per year USA, $52 foreign. pan move became an Advertising: Classifieds: $10 per 100 words extremely difficult for members, $20 for non-members. Space exercise. After some advertising rates on request. study of the basic laws of physics and much ex­ We have since sold about a dozen perimentation, I found of these brackets to EFP owners (Ed that, under "normal" conditions, I note: one to the Association ). Harold needed to move the battery back some will continue to build them on a two to three inches in order to get demand basis. They also can be even close to good dynamic balance. purchased from Cinema Products, o I decided to have four inches of travel Derrick Whitehouse, or directly from in the bracket I designed . Harold at Proto Machine, (602) 897­ Harold Pomeroy of Proto 9420. Machining and Engineering, Ltd., Whether using this bracket or then took my idea, and, after adding some other method, if the rig is in some ideas of his own, turned it into a dynamic balance, I believe EFP working model. With the bracket on owners will find that operating truly Engineering drawing of George's my rig, I've been able to dynamically becomes an art, not a war. bracket balance the EFP to where it will spin almost perfectly flat . George Paddock STEADICAM & CAMERA FOR SALE * Steadicam Model III ARRI III Camera Package • Seitz reliability upgrade • Lens rnounts.Arri PL, BNCR & Parra • Model II Operator's Vest • JAR ultra-light modified door for • Model III support arm with Seitz CCD video camera Seitz reinforcement upgrade • TV, 1:1.85 & Full Ap. GGs • Fore/aft extending battery rails • CE Crystal HMI Speed control • 2 CP Quick chargers • JAR DeRose-modified ultra • Many other accessories low-profile low-mode bracket • 3 Steadimags with upgrade mods. • 1 Arri slantback magaxine

All equipment has been well maintained, is in excellent working condition and will most likely be available in April.

Contact: TED CHURCHILL TEL: 212-691-0536 FAX 212-675-1262 * This does not mean I'm leaving the business. T-shirt sales are not that good . Yet.