Has a crane/support ever failed you? at DVinfo.net

Andrew Petrie · March 2nd, 2003, 09:39 AM

Upon replying to the other current Crane thread, I got to thinking about support failure. Has anyone here experienced support failure? That is, a tripod, crane, jib, etc... failing to hold your expensive equipment, causing damage? Does anyone have stories to share?

Jeff Donald · March 2nd, 2003, 10:15 AM

I was doing sound at the Ohio State Fair (years ago) and I saw a crew setting up and testing a crane for a show. I wasn't paying much attention, then I heard a loud crash. I looked up and saw the crane (with a Sony Betacam) had fallen into the seats. Well, better now than later I figured, when fans would have been in the seats. After the show I was talking to a couple of the crew and it was decided that the crane hadn't been anchored properly (gee, no kidding). Those guys were lucky. Safety first.

If I was using a crane today, I would make sure my liability insurance premiums are paid up. It wouldn't take much for someone (crew, cast, audience etc.) to get really hurt. Just because someone works for free or donates labor doesn't mean you can't be sued or owe workman's comp.

Jacques Mersereau · March 3rd, 2003, 03:51 PM

I was using a Promax crane loaned to me by the Art school, but it was with a
crummy tripod that wasn't up to the task of holding the jib arm and the camera.
The jib arm fell off when I went to full tilt down. Luckily I caught the jib &
and my XL1 before it hit the ground.

My advice for using the Promax or other jib rig that doesn't come with
it's own pod or base is to buy a HEAVY DUTY tripod that comes with a
nice big HD plate.

Hitting someone on top of the head could end up costing way more than
even a real jimmy jib rig.

March 2nd, 2003, 09:39 AM	#1
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	Has a crane/support ever failed you? Upon replying to the other current Crane thread, I got to thinking about support failure. Has anyone here experienced support failure? That is, a tripod, crane, jib, etc... failing to hold your expensive equipment, causing damage? Does anyone have stories to share? __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

March 2nd, 2003, 10:15 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I was doing sound at the Ohio State Fair (years ago) and I saw a crew setting up and testing a crane for a show. I wasn't paying much attention, then I heard a loud crash. I looked up and saw the crane (with a Sony Betacam) had fallen into the seats. Well, better now than later I figured, when fans would have been in the seats. After the show I was talking to a couple of the crew and it was decided that the crane hadn't been anchored properly (gee, no kidding). Those guys were lucky. Safety first. If I was using a crane today, I would make sure my liability insurance premiums are paid up. It wouldn't take much for someone (crew, cast, audience etc.) to get really hurt. Just because someone works for free or donates labor doesn't mean you can't be sued or owe workman's comp. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 3rd, 2003, 03:51 PM	#3
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	I was using a Promax crane loaned to me by the Art school, but it was with a crummy tripod that wasn't up to the task of holding the jib arm and the camera. The jib arm fell off when I went to full tilt down. Luckily I caught the jib & and my XL1 before it hit the ground. My advice for using the Promax or other jib rig that doesn't come with it's own pod or base is to buy a HEAVY DUTY tripod that comes with a nice big HD plate. Hitting someone on top of the head could end up costing way more than even a real jimmy jib rig. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager