I just ordered a Magiqcam!!

Douglas Akers · June 8th, 2004, 03:22 PM

Charles P,
Yes, I have studied many of those steadicam shots and some of them are my faves.
The framing and staging thing is my weakest point right now.
My head room floats a little and keeping one eye on the monitor and one on the ground is quite a challenge.
I seem to favor the less complex shots of say, Full Metal Jacket, where the camera leads the actors and then follows.
By saying "less complex", I am by no means implying they were easy to shoot, only that they seem to have simpler staging.
The shot I have been watching over and over lately is the "Head Over Heals" scene from Donnie Darko.
There are a couple of hidden cuts in there but I love it none the less.
I have to say Charles, that I've read just about every post you've made and your wisdom gave me the confidence to attempt this crazy idea of operating a "steadicam"
Thank you again!!
By this fall, I hope to have some of the footage from this horror movie I'm shooting posted online for critique.
I'll let you know how it all goes after I get back from location on the 22nd.
Cheers!

Charles Papert · June 8th, 2004, 04:33 PM

Sounds great!

One of my good buddies, Dave Chameides, did the Steadicam on "Donnie Darko". He's done some amazing work, especially on "ER" and "West Wing" a few years back. That reminds of another "marathon" shot he did on "The Wedding Planner"--the good news is that it comes right at the beginning of the movie so you don't have to watch the rest of it!

I only recommend these sorts of moves to watch because there's so much to be got out of them. As for me, I've only done a couple of "wow" shots in my career, most of my stuff gets chopped up into little bits so that you'd never recognize it for Steadicam. Which is sort of the idea, but it doesn't get much attention that way. 95% of feature and episodic Steadicam is leading people down a hallway as invisibly as possible.

Consistent headroom is something that takes quite a while to master. Using the boom of the arm to make quick adjustments is key, it's a lot easier than tilting.

Rob Lohman · June 9th, 2004, 02:01 AM

You certainly want to watch "Donnie Darko" fully. Heck, the new
Director's Cut is coming out which actually is supposed to be even
better!

Ed Liew · June 9th, 2004, 09:24 PM

found this magiqcam posting on ebay with photos of the magiqcam new design and look. just follow the link - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3319&item=3820649982&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Scott Balkum · June 9th, 2004, 09:34 PM

That is interesting. I wonder if I will be getting a free hard case too?

Ed Liew · June 10th, 2004, 12:44 AM

only if you order yours through ebay if i'm not mistaken.

Scott Balkum · June 22nd, 2004, 11:07 AM

I just got an email, mine should be shipping this week. YEAAAHH!...

doubling up on the situps now.

Jean-Philippe Archibald · June 22nd, 2004, 11:15 AM

Scott,

Good news!

Don't forget to put some pics online!

Ed Liew · June 22nd, 2004, 08:44 PM

scott,
certainly is good news. how long did you wait for yours. i'm in the 10 weeks now.

ed

Ed Liew · June 25th, 2004, 09:52 PM

just got my mail too. was told mine will ship out on the 29th.

Scott Balkum · June 25th, 2004, 10:01 PM

Ed, glad to hear it. I didn't respond to your last post because I was afraid of my answer. Mine was coming but I have only been waiting 5 weeks. You had been waiting 10 and I was afraid to think that I was getting mine before you. But, I guess he builds them in groups. I am glad we are getting them. Mine is shipping on the 29th as well.

Steven Wills · June 26th, 2004, 10:22 AM

I'm thinking of buying one in the next few weeks. Tell me, what do you think...it seems the thread dropped off and I need to know!

Thanks

Ed Liew · June 26th, 2004, 10:54 AM

steve,
one advice i can give is post questions on this forum. i only get promp replies when i post a question here. john seldom reply to my mail after the money is through.
i'm thankful for this forum and people here.

best of luck,
ed

Steven Wills · June 26th, 2004, 12:15 PM

Who is John?

So, is it all you expected?

Scott Balkum · June 26th, 2004, 12:29 PM

John is the manufacturer of the Magiqcam. In all fairness, I assume that he has a day job and a family and doesn't do this full time. I notice that his phone hours are in the evening so I assume he is working during the day.

He is a nice guy trying to make it and, as far as I have heard, makes an excellent product, but I will know more next week when mine arrives.

This forum is excellent.

I just finished phase 1 of my new crane. Now, I get to post on that topic. :)

June 8th, 2004, 04:33 PM	#32
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Sounds great! One of my good buddies, Dave Chameides, did the Steadicam on "Donnie Darko". He's done some amazing work, especially on "ER" and "West Wing" a few years back. That reminds of another "marathon" shot he did on "The Wedding Planner"--the good news is that it comes right at the beginning of the movie so you don't have to watch the rest of it! I only recommend these sorts of moves to watch because there's so much to be got out of them. As for me, I've only done a couple of "wow" shots in my career, most of my stuff gets chopped up into little bits so that you'd never recognize it for Steadicam. Which is sort of the idea, but it doesn't get much attention that way. 95% of feature and episodic Steadicam is leading people down a hallway as invisibly as possible. Consistent headroom is something that takes quite a while to master. Using the boom of the arm to make quick adjustments is key, it's a lot easier than tilting. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

June 9th, 2004, 02:01 AM	#33
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	You certainly want to watch "Donnie Darko" fully. Heck, the new Director's Cut is coming out which actually is supposed to be even better! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 22nd, 2004, 11:15 AM	#38
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	Scott, Good news! Don't forget to put some pics online! __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

June 26th, 2004, 10:22 AM	#42
Steven Wills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 57	Just wondering.. I'm thinking of buying one in the next few weeks. Tell me, what do you think...it seems the thread dropped off and I need to know! Thanks __________________ Steve Wills Jib Op http://www.kyvideoservices.com

June 26th, 2004, 12:15 PM	#44
Steven Wills Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 57	Who is John? So, is it all you expected? __________________ Steve Wills Jib Op http://www.kyvideoservices.com

June 8th, 2004, 03:22 PM	#31
Douglas Akers Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wyandotte MI Posts: 47	Charles P, Yes, I have studied many of those steadicam shots and some of them are my faves. The framing and staging thing is my weakest point right now. My head room floats a little and keeping one eye on the monitor and one on the ground is quite a challenge. I seem to favor the less complex shots of say, Full Metal Jacket, where the camera leads the actors and then follows. By saying "less complex", I am by no means implying they were easy to shoot, only that they seem to have simpler staging. The shot I have been watching over and over lately is the "Head Over Heals" scene from Donnie Darko. There are a couple of hidden cuts in there but I love it none the less. I have to say Charles, that I've read just about every post you've made and your wisdom gave me the confidence to attempt this crazy idea of operating a "steadicam" Thank you again!! By this fall, I hope to have some of the footage from this horror movie I'm shooting posted online for critique. I'll let you know how it all goes after I get back from location on the 22nd. Cheers!

June 9th, 2004, 09:24 PM	#34
Ed Liew Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 226	found this magiqcam posting on ebay with photos of the magiqcam new design and look. just follow the link - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3319&item=3820649982&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

June 9th, 2004, 09:34 PM	#35
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	That is interesting. I wonder if I will be getting a free hard case too?

June 10th, 2004, 12:44 AM	#36
Ed Liew Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 226	only if you order yours through ebay if i'm not mistaken.

June 22nd, 2004, 11:07 AM	#37
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	I just got an email, mine should be shipping this week. YEAAAHH!... doubling up on the situps now.

June 22nd, 2004, 08:44 PM	#39
Ed Liew Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 226	scott, certainly is good news. how long did you wait for yours. i'm in the 10 weeks now. ed

June 25th, 2004, 09:52 PM	#40
Ed Liew Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 226	just got my mail too. was told mine will ship out on the 29th.

June 25th, 2004, 10:01 PM	#41
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	Ed, glad to hear it. I didn't respond to your last post because I was afraid of my answer. Mine was coming but I have only been waiting 5 weeks. You had been waiting 10 and I was afraid to think that I was getting mine before you. But, I guess he builds them in groups. I am glad we are getting them. Mine is shipping on the 29th as well.

June 26th, 2004, 10:54 AM	#43
Ed Liew Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Malaysia Posts: 226	steve, one advice i can give is post questions on this forum. i only get promp replies when i post a question here. john seldom reply to my mail after the money is through. i'm thankful for this forum and people here. best of luck, ed

June 26th, 2004, 12:29 PM	#45
Scott Balkum Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	John is the manufacturer of the Magiqcam. In all fairness, I assume that he has a day job and a family and doesn't do this full time. I notice that his phone hours are in the evening so I assume he is working during the day. He is a nice guy trying to make it and, as far as I have heard, makes an excellent product, but I will know more next week when mine arrives. This forum is excellent. I just finished phase 1 of my new crane. Now, I get to post on that topic. :)