If you get a chance, TCM (Turner Classic Movies) ran a short feature with the creator of the SteadiCam (or is it StediCam?). A very intersting short showing what I presume was old film of the system in use. The film shows the SteadiCam workshop where students learn fow to use the system.

Nathan Gifford

That gentleman's name is Garrett Brown, and I had the pleasure of meeting him at NAB 2000. I became speechless when he told me he was a regular Watchdog visitor. Quite a guy.

Trivia question: name the first feature film in wide release to use the Steadicam.

Was it Rocky?

I don't know... the Shining?

Chris I always hated pop quizzes...it takes the enjoyment out of watching the show. I know they talked about it...I think 'the kid' debut was Heaven's Gate.

Nathan Gifford

P.S. The Shining was another SteadiCam feature.

Heh, keeps you on your toes Nathan... Brown's 35mm Steadicam was first used in the boxing scenes in 1976's "Rocky," and "The Shining" in 1980 was the first use of 70mm Steadicam.

Thank you for playing... material for future trivia quizzes may originate from this page: http://www.ouc.bc.ca/fina/film/filmdate.html

Duckwalking,

Hey, I was right!!! Does that mean I win a free XL1s from Chris:)

Daniel, you win a cookie. These days it's all i can afford.

how's about a cookie shaped like and XL1s? (preferably chocolate chip:)

Sure -- it will have three 1/3rd inch chocolate chips.

You ain't getting anything until you are using 2/3" chips....

Nathan Gifford

Actually, I think the first movie that the steadicam was used in was "Bound for Glory," a biography of Woody Guthrie, in 1975. It starred David Carradine. I'm not sure that it ever enjoyed a "wide" release, however...

If memory serves me, didn't Garrett Brown's website have the story of how they used the original Steadicam in "Rocky" and talked about borrowing the battery out of a car and shlepping the whole mess up and down the Phila. library steps (what a workout!)

OK Chris, I sort of have to call you on your answer to the pop quiz...!

"globalvillage" was correct, in terms of production chronology; "Bound for Glory" was the first film in which the Steadicam was used, followed by "Rocky" and "Marathon Man". Also, "The Shining" was shot in standard spherical 35mm, not 70mm.

I have known Garrett for many years (I was in the 1985 class shown in the documentary on TCM) and it is thrilling that he is currently being feted for his achievements, demonstrated by the TCM series and his imminent President's Award from the American Society of Cinematographers. He is a brilliant inventor and always generous with aspiring filmmakers and operators.


Speaking of which Chris, many thanks for your highly informative site which I found invaluable while entering the world of DV in the last few years as a sideline hobby. Great job!

Hey Steadichupap--
your opinion please, I am a run-of-the-mill corporate XL1 shooter, don't own a Steadicam at all. SOA keeps notifying me of Steadicam trainings for $2500 I think. Is this something I should seriously think about? There seem to be very few owner-operators in my area, and I wonder if the industry (in Connecticut) could use another. Just a dumb question I guess, but I am always looking for opportunities to expand my repertoire of services.

BTW, I guess the Steadicam DV is not what I should be thinking about for an XL1, instead a vest-mount model for the next size up camera.

Mike:

There have been a few Steadicam guys in Connecticut over the years, some of whom have moved up and out to NYC or beyond. I used to be based in Boston and did some occasional work in CT. There is always room for a good operator, but I found you have to claw your way into each client, prove your worth and the need to pay extra for a Steadicam, and keep selling it to them or they will find another way to do it!

As far as flying an XL1, your best choices are a Mini (previously made by CP, now by Tiffen) or a Hollywood Lite. The Steadicam DV was sort of a botch job and has been discontinued--the JR was a better design--but either would be very tiring to fly for any length of time with an XL1.

I always recommend workshops for folks who are serious about Steadicam operating; I'm guessing the Philly workshop is the one you are referring to, and the fact that Garrett still teaches those himself is worth the price of admission! Realistically though, it is probably worth getting some time in on a rig to make sure it is something you want to seriously pursue before making the investment. Hope this helps.

Hey GraphicsGuy,

I've been pickin' peoples' brains for the last few months on this...I'm going to buy either a Steadicam or Glidecam, but am looking for something used. From the input I've received...

With Steadicam, the SK2 will give you a smoother shot than the Mini. Especially if you're adding additional on board accessories to pack on more weight to the camera.

With Glidecam, V-8 seems to be the model of choice.

Wish I could say I've tried them both, but actually haven't tried either. But having asked a heck of a lot of people over the past few months, I trust the "group" opinions.

Let me know if you want one and I'll put you in touch with a dealer in Korea! ;)

Thanks for the 411 guys...
I kind of suspected it was something I would have to sell aggressively--I need to first get these people convinced that they need to do video communications, then upgrade them later I guess is my plan. Although I was kind of intrigued to learn it--esp. with Garrett as the teacher--it's a not insignificant investment that I'll want to see a return on in a reasonable period.
Thanks for the dealer in Korea info (LOL)--might be easier than getting Frezzi to sell me a simple set of barn doors. ;-)

hi,
I just signed up as a member this week so sorry if my reply is a little late(several months).
been checking out a lot of steadicams pages and found this one:

http://w1.226.telia.com/~u22607422/steadicamhintsandtips.html

I especially liked the one on the steadicam operator's manual of style
(http://filmmakerstore.com/steadicm.htm)

been reading a lot of the other threads, you have a very cool site here, also read the Watchdog a lot before I got my XL-1. recently been thinking about trading in my projector and my vx-1000 and also plop down some cash and get an XL-1S, then I can have a spare plus do some two camera shoots.

thanks for the great site and great people, starting to read the threads everyday, look forward to writing in again.

rik sanchez