My Steadicam Merlin Demo Reel at DVinfo.net

Nick Tsamandanis · June 17th, 2007, 08:31 PM

I've put together a showreel from some recent weddings that I've shot here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlblLOLj8IQ
I've ordered the arm and vest, mainly for use in corporate work and I'm interested to see how much it will improve the stability, especially with the heavy duty gimble.

Terry Thompson · June 19th, 2007, 12:31 AM

Nick,

A lot of your smooth video can be attributed to the Merlin but most of it I believe is your skill. You shots were excellent!

I can tell you have learned the steadicam motto: practice, practice, practice.

Tery
Indicam

Richard Zlamany · June 19th, 2007, 08:41 AM

Wow! really awesome work. It is inspirational.

What cam are you using?

Thanks for sharing.

Nick Tsamandanis · June 19th, 2007, 08:50 AM

Hi, thanks for the kind words guys, I use the Sony FX1 on the Steadicam. I do two camera shoots, the other cam, mostly on tripod is the Sony Z1.

Richard Zlamany · June 19th, 2007, 10:23 AM

Interesting. I am trying to work the Merlin into my weddings, but I am finding it hard to find the time during the wedding day. Between everything always running late and sharing the couple with the photographer, I don't know how to work it in.

Stu Holmes · June 19th, 2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Tsamandanis

I've ordered the arm and vest, mainly for use in corporate work and I'm interested to see how much it will improve the stability, especially with the heavy duty gimble.

Let us know what you think of the arm and vest Nick. I'd be interested. Also ...gulp...what did the arm and vest cost if you can tell us please?

One thing i don't quite "get" is how the Merlin manages to keep vertical operator-movements under control (without an iso-elastic arm) such as when you're walking.. But it does seem to do that quite well. If you could comment on that please ( i know a lot of it is practice !).

Chris Walker · June 19th, 2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu Holmes

what did the arm and vest cost if you can tell us please?

A better question is where you got it :-) I am still waiting for it to show up available so that I can order it.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · June 19th, 2007, 03:33 PM

Well, if that's just done with the Merlin, then I'm well impressed - it was excellent, could have been a proper Steadicam.
I might have to get one myself...

Robin

Nick Tsamandanis · June 19th, 2007, 06:48 PM

I don't have the arm and vest yet. I have placed my order and the ETA is late July-early-August. Here in Australia the upgrade cost is $2999. Total investment cost of $4500. Obviously cheaper in US. Stu, the hardest thing I find with hand held operating (apart from fatigue) is minimising unwanted vertical movement. You really have to bend the knees when you walk. It takes a lot of constant practice in general, and I'm nowhere near where I want to be.

Brian Keith Moody · June 19th, 2007, 08:08 PM

Super cool. I want one. Send me yours.

Nick Tsamandanis · June 19th, 2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Zlamany

Interesting. I am trying to work the Merlin into my weddings, but I am finding it hard to find the time during the wedding day. Between everything always running late and sharing the couple with the photographer, I don't know how to work it in.

I have an assistant during the day and he follows me around with the other cam, I switch from the Z1 on a tripod to the Fx1 with the steadicam within seconds. The pace is very fast as I don't like to stage shots, and working in with the photographer. It all flows smoothly and the atmosphere is like a model photo shoot, the girls love it.

Rene Roslev · June 19th, 2007, 11:36 PM

Very nice work!

(UPS delivers my Merlin later today! Wooooo!)

Matthew Gore · June 20th, 2007, 06:02 AM

Nick,

Me and my guys here in Atlanta just watched you're Merlin demo and WOW!
You must have arms of steel. It is some of the nicest work I've seen and I would have sworn you had a full vest rig. We have a Merlin, and we'll try and use it for a while and then get frustrated and stop. We are putting a Z1 on it and it seems just a little bit much for the rig, but you've inspired us to get back to work with it. Keep up the good work.

Nick Tsamandanis · June 20th, 2007, 06:12 AM

Thanks again, um I forgot to mention that I have been an avid gym junkie for the last twenty years. It does help having strong forearms, back etc... but it will still be a huge relief when I get the arm and vest. Whatever you do don't stop practicing, once you do, you lose your skills, it's just like playing a sport or musical instrument.

Charles Papert · June 20th, 2007, 07:56 AM

Great job Nick! You've schooled me with the Merlin, you've definitely put in your practice time.

I love the shot circling the car with the chauffeur leading you around the frame. You used him as the anchor on the side of frame and adjusted your speed and pivot point to keep all three in the shot. FYI guys, that is EXACTLY the sort of thing that makes a great Steadicam operator--understanding how to make these sort of adjustments (and being able to design them, and in Nick's case, recognize and incorporate them instantly when they are "happy accidents"). That sort of thing goes far beyond the technical aspects of minimizing roll or vertical bounce.

Keep it up! (and look forward to hearing your results with the vest/arm).

June 17th, 2007, 08:31 PM	#1
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	I've put together a showreel from some recent weddings that I've shot here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlblLOLj8IQ I've ordered the arm and vest, mainly for use in corporate work and I'm interested to see how much it will improve the stability, especially with the heavy duty gimble. __________________ Nick Last edited by Nick Tsamandanis; June 18th, 2007 at 06:11 AM.

June 19th, 2007, 12:31 AM	#2
Terry Thompson Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 578	Nick, A lot of your smooth video can be attributed to the Merlin but most of it I believe is your skill. You shots were excellent! I can tell you have learned the steadicam motto: practice, practice, practice. Tery Indicam __________________ He's only mostly sDEADy. sort of from "The Princess Bride" www.indicam.com

June 19th, 2007, 08:50 AM	#4
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	Hi, thanks for the kind words guys, I use the Sony FX1 on the Steadicam. I do two camera shoots, the other cam, mostly on tripod is the Sony Z1. __________________ Nick

June 19th, 2007, 06:48 PM	#9
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	I don't have the arm and vest yet. I have placed my order and the ETA is late July-early-August. Here in Australia the upgrade cost is $2999. Total investment cost of $4500. Obviously cheaper in US. Stu, the hardest thing I find with hand held operating (apart from fatigue) is minimising unwanted vertical movement. You really have to bend the knees when you walk. It takes a lot of constant practice in general, and I'm nowhere near where I want to be. __________________ Nick Last edited by Nick Tsamandanis; June 19th, 2007 at 10:40 PM.

June 19th, 2007, 08:08 PM	#10
Brian Keith Moody Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 56	Super cool. I want one. Send me yours. __________________ Brian Keith Moody, Writer / Director Canon XH-A1 - PowerMac G5 - Final Cut Pro - Shake

June 19th, 2007, 08:41 AM	#3
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	Wow! really awesome work. It is inspirational. What cam are you using? Thanks for sharing.

June 19th, 2007, 10:23 AM	#5
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	Interesting. I am trying to work the Merlin into my weddings, but I am finding it hard to find the time during the wedding day. Between everything always running late and sharing the couple with the photographer, I don't know how to work it in.

June 19th, 2007, 03:33 PM	#8
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Well, if that's just done with the Merlin, then I'm well impressed - it was excellent, could have been a proper Steadicam. I might have to get one myself... Robin

June 19th, 2007, 11:36 PM	#12
Rene Roslev Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 49	Very nice work! (UPS delivers my Merlin later today! Wooooo!)

June 20th, 2007, 06:02 AM	#13
Matthew Gore Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Duluth GA Posts: 33	Nick-You're and ANIMAL! Nick, Me and my guys here in Atlanta just watched you're Merlin demo and WOW! You must have arms of steel. It is some of the nicest work I've seen and I would have sworn you had a full vest rig. We have a Merlin, and we'll try and use it for a while and then get frustrated and stop. We are putting a Z1 on it and it seems just a little bit much for the rig, but you've inspired us to get back to work with it. Keep up the good work.

June 20th, 2007, 06:12 AM	#14
Nick Tsamandanis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 318	Thanks again, um I forgot to mention that I have been an avid gym junkie for the last twenty years. It does help having strong forearms, back etc... but it will still be a huge relief when I get the arm and vest. Whatever you do don't stop practicing, once you do, you lose your skills, it's just like playing a sport or musical instrument. __________________ Nick

June 20th, 2007, 07:56 AM	#15
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Great job Nick! You've schooled me with the Merlin, you've definitely put in your practice time. I love the shot circling the car with the chauffeur leading you around the frame. You used him as the anchor on the side of frame and adjusted your speed and pivot point to keep all three in the shot. FYI guys, that is EXACTLY the sort of thing that makes a great Steadicam operator--understanding how to make these sort of adjustments (and being able to design them, and in Nick's case, recognize and incorporate them instantly when they are "happy accidents"). That sort of thing goes far beyond the technical aspects of minimizing roll or vertical bounce. Keep it up! (and look forward to hearing your results with the vest/arm). __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com