Boompole Holder

Doug Okamoto · April 8th, 2008, 02:00 PM

I was only referring to light stands that most people in video land would know. Sorry, I didn't realize you're a film guy!

I've lived in Los Angeles for a while working as a VFX & DI Producer and I'd drive past Mole-Richardson all the time on La Brea. I only went in once or twice looking for specific things. I've been on only two indie film sets as a VFX consultant so I really didn't concern myself with the grip department. Next time maybe I will check them out if I have time. As you can tell I'm mainly a post monkey and producer now but occasionally I do get involved with production once in a while and still remember a few things in my old age!

Take care,
Doug

Dan Brockett · April 8th, 2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Okamoto

I was only referring to light stands that most people in video land would know. Sorry, I didn't realize you're a film guy!

I've lived in Los Angeles for a while working as a VFX & DI Producer and I'd drive past Mole-Richardson all the time on La Brea. I only went in once or twice looking for specific things. I've been on only two indie film sets as a VFX consultant so I really didn't concern myself with the grip department. Next time maybe I will check them out if I have time. As you can tell I'm mainly a post monkey and producer now but occasionally I do get involved with production once in a while and still remember a few things in my old age!

Take care,
Doug

I am not a working grip per se, but I own a three ton grip and lighting package and I shoot BTS on a lot of features and television so you learn a lot from the grips. Gripping is a highly underrated job, people in production take them for granted but the good keys are mechanical geniuses. I love grip gear, it's what lets you do all of the cool things in production.

Dan

Oliver Darden · April 9th, 2008, 01:09 PM

thanks everyone for the help, I decided to get the ATS-RAM when it comes in stock.

Larry Vaughn · October 27th, 2008, 08:40 PM

Tonight I was looking for something else and picked up an Attwood Sure Grip Wire Form Rod Holder, 5 degree Rod Holder, 4 inch stem from Wal Mart. Package says the mounting post and wing nut are stainless steel.

It comes with a wing nut and aluminum mounting bracket to screw to the side of your boat... that part is triangular with 3 mounting holes about 1 19/32" inches apart. You probably won't need those, but the end will fit in the c-stand clamp.

At a cost of $12.45, it looks extremely close to but not exactly the same as most $29.95 boom pole holders I see on ENG or filmmaking sites.

Nick Flowers · October 28th, 2008, 01:34 AM

This site may be of interest.

BOOM-BUDDY

Andy Wilkinson · October 28th, 2008, 03:29 AM

I've got a Boom Buddy but I actually don't think it's that good. Mine cost me about £50-55.

When used on top of a Manfrotto light stand and with my Rode boom pole you have to tighten it really hard and balance the weight (hanging something off the back end of the boom pole, extending it quite a way backwards) or the pole just slowly lowers itself, even with a light NTG-3 on the end.

Sure it beats holding the pole/having someone have to do that for sit down interviews etc. but there must be a better way! (yes I use Senny G2 radio mics as well)

Steve House · October 28th, 2008, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Brockett

Hi:

...
I am serious, I think anything over $10.00 for a boom pole holder is a waste of money. The one that I bought at WalMart is IDENTICAL to the cheaper $58.00 one on the B&H website link above. It is rubber coated to protect the boom pole.

...
Dan

Looking at the BH listing, I'm sure that $45 of that $58 is for the grip head that's included.

Nick Flowers · October 28th, 2008, 04:43 AM

For Andy:

I know the guy who makes Boom Buddies, Keith Hicks at Fleetwood Films, and I've told him about your experience. Can you email him via the Boom Buddy website and he'll see you right. Must say I've had no problems..perhaps you've got a rogue one.

Nick.

Bruce S. Yarock · October 28th, 2008, 04:56 AM

I use an avenger stand on wheels, a grip head and the famous fishing pole holder bolted on to a small piece of plywood. The plywood slides into the grip head and is tightened down. works great.
Bruce yarock
Yarock Video & Photography

Andy Wilkinson · October 29th, 2008, 03:26 AM

To Nick, Thanks!

Andy Wilkinson · October 31st, 2008, 03:51 PM

OK, found some time to play around with this some more without the heat of the moment stuff going on.

My Boom Buddy will lock up pretty tight and seems to be OK... as long as the boom pole is reasonably balanced weight wise....it seems I was just was not using the sort of force needed before (I was too careful with new gear maybe?).

It also fits well on top of my Manfrotto lighting tripods nice and firmly, as long as it's pushed down as far as it will go so the larger diameter part of the stand spigot fills the bottom of the Boom Buddy tube - and then you tightened with the thumb screw onto the narrower part.

So I'm good to go and can sack the boom pole guy that I never had! :-)

October 27th, 2008, 08:40 PM	#19
Larry Vaughn Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 201	Cheap and it works Tonight I was looking for something else and picked up an Attwood Sure Grip Wire Form Rod Holder, 5 degree Rod Holder, 4 inch stem from Wal Mart. Package says the mounting post and wing nut are stainless steel. It comes with a wing nut and aluminum mounting bracket to screw to the side of your boat... that part is triangular with 3 mounting holes about 1 19/32" inches apart. You probably won't need those, but the end will fit in the c-stand clamp. At a cost of $12.45, it looks extremely close to but not exactly the same as most $29.95 boom pole holders I see on ENG or filmmaking sites.

October 28th, 2008, 01:34 AM	#20
Nick Flowers Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chichester UK Posts: 167	Boom Buddy This site may be of interest. BOOM-BUDDY

October 28th, 2008, 03:29 AM	#21
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Boom Buddy I've got a Boom Buddy but I actually don't think it's that good. Mine cost me about £50-55. When used on top of a Manfrotto light stand and with my Rode boom pole you have to tighten it really hard and balance the weight (hanging something off the back end of the boom pole, extending it quite a way backwards) or the pole just slowly lowers itself, even with a light NTG-3 on the end. Sure it beats holding the pole/having someone have to do that for sit down interviews etc. but there must be a better way! (yes I use Senny G2 radio mics as well) __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

October 29th, 2008, 03:26 AM	#25
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	To Nick, Thanks! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

October 31st, 2008, 03:51 PM	#26
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Boom Buddy OK, found some time to play around with this some more without the heat of the moment stuff going on. My Boom Buddy will lock up pretty tight and seems to be OK... as long as the boom pole is reasonably balanced weight wise....it seems I was just was not using the sort of force needed before (I was too careful with new gear maybe?). It also fits well on top of my Manfrotto lighting tripods nice and firmly, as long as it's pushed down as far as it will go so the larger diameter part of the stand spigot fills the bottom of the Boom Buddy tube - and then you tightened with the thumb screw onto the narrower part. So I'm good to go and can sack the boom pole guy that I never had! :-) __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

April 8th, 2008, 02:00 PM	#16
Doug Okamoto Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bellevue, Washington Posts: 145	I was only referring to light stands that most people in video land would know. Sorry, I didn't realize you're a film guy! I've lived in Los Angeles for a while working as a VFX & DI Producer and I'd drive past Mole-Richardson all the time on La Brea. I only went in once or twice looking for specific things. I've been on only two indie film sets as a VFX consultant so I really didn't concern myself with the grip department. Next time maybe I will check them out if I have time. As you can tell I'm mainly a post monkey and producer now but occasionally I do get involved with production once in a while and still remember a few things in my old age! Take care, Doug

April 9th, 2008, 01:09 PM	#18
Oliver Darden Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: USA Posts: 522	thanks everyone for the help, I decided to get the ATS-RAM when it comes in stock.

October 28th, 2008, 04:43 AM	#23
Nick Flowers Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chichester UK Posts: 167	For Andy: I know the guy who makes Boom Buddies, Keith Hicks at Fleetwood Films, and I've told him about your experience. Can you email him via the Boom Buddy website and he'll see you right. Must say I've had no problems..perhaps you've got a rogue one. Nick.

October 28th, 2008, 04:56 AM	#24
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	I use an avenger stand on wheels, a grip head and the famous fishing pole holder bolted on to a small piece of plywood. The plywood slides into the grip head and is tightened down. works great. Bruce yarock Yarock Video & Photography