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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

MK-V REVOLUTION stabilisation systerm

A

Alex Boothby

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Has anyone tried one of these:

http://www.mk-v-ar.com/

Looks very interesting. You can check out demo clips on the above site. I know some are being used in production of 'On The Lot'. Article here:

http://www.studiodaily.com/main/technique/casestudies/8193.html

snip: "“It’s a self-leveling steadicam so you can invert the sled and the camera always stays perfectly level. No matter what direction it always maintains a perfect horizon. I can walk backwards level with a person’s feet as they are walking and then twist the steadicam around and go up to his head and the shot just looks like I’ve boomed up.”

They even have a section on their web site called "Join The Revolution" - ha ha...
 
I think the continuous low-mode-to-high-mode ability makes this system really stand out. Plus it looks cool.

Looking at the compatible cameras section, the MK-V AR should work well with Red One.
 
I remember seeing this a couple of years ago and thinking it was cool. Haven't heard anything about it since...I wonder is there something wrong with it that I haven't seen it adopted ?
Aloha
-A
 
Maybe they had more "corporate" issues with releasing it.... or an engineering delay that pushed back mass production :whistling:

Did any of you see the video clip of a guy riding a segway wearing the rig? Never thought about using those in film production. It looked a bit modified too, seemed to have leg braces on it.
 
Just read the ZERB article on the site. It was used on the film Rent, as well as some commercials and tv dramas. Will Arnot, Jeff Mart, Chris McGuire and a few other steadicam ops seem to be out there using it currently. Maybe it's a slow-burn revolution??!?! :sarcasm:

Quote from Rent DOP Stephen Goldblatt: "The AR will transform Steadicam as we know it because a Steadicam becomes a sort of miniature Technocrane."
 
The AR is definitely in production by MK-V in Britain. The system will run you about $60k on top of an already well rounded $125k (and up) stabilization system. Like a stabilizer, it's not something that can just be picked up and run with. In fact, even accomplished Steadicam ops will require a rather lengthy amount of time to learn to properly use it.

There are a handful of ops here in the states that own them (no more than 12 I believe). It's been employed in a number of films, one of the first big ones being "Rent" - operated by one of the AR pioneers Will Arnot.

Although you probably wouldn't see shots like those demo clips in an actual production, they're great to demonstrate the capabilities of the system. Check out this commercial to get a great sense of how this can be used for real. It's a single take, no cuts, no big effects other than a little bit of added architecture in the beginning. Shot in real time (Arnot again).

Unfortunately, a great deal of controversy has surrounded this system. I don't wish to get involved so I won't elaborate, but if you do a bit of research I'm sure you'll be able to find what's up.

Peace!
 
Boothba said:
Just read the ZERB article on the site. It was used on the film Rent, as well as some commercials and tv dramas. Will Arnot, Jeff Mart, Chris McGuire and a few other steadicam ops seem to be out there using it currently. Maybe it's a slow-burn revolution??!?! :sarcasm:

Quote from Rent DOP Stephen Goldblatt: "The AR will transform Steadicam as we know it because a Steadicam becomes a sort of miniature Technocrane."
Click to expand...

Chris McGuire is the fellow operating in the MK-V demo videos. Will Arnot is the great operator I spoke of previously. Unfortunately, Will has since put his up for sale due to many of the controversial issues I mentioned before.

The system fit in great for many of the shots Goldblatt needed for "Rent". However, I don't necessarily think it will transform Steadicam. It's been in use for a few years already and it hasn't so far. When the Steadicam community first started to hear about it, there were questions about it making it simple to maintain horizon, making our long-practiced skills obsolete. Also, it seemed to do everything a Steadicam can do, and more. However, the price barrier is enormous, on top of the need to already be an excellent Steadicam operator. So other than the few ops that have added it to their kits, the rest of us operate just as we always have. It has become more like any other tool in the tool belt. It is pulled out when it can be useful, and put away when it can't.
 
Cardmaverick said:
Did any of you see the video clip of a guy riding a segway wearing the rig? Never thought about using those in film production. It looked a bit modified too, seemed to have leg braces on it.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Handsfree Transporter as it has been called, was created by a team in Germany. They modified the original Segway, removing the handlebars, and placing the steering controls at the base of the system as pedals. You still move by simply leaning forward and back. It works quite well and is equally as intuitive as the original Segway.

The system costs about $20k, so it is certainly not something to buy in place of a regular Segway. It is marketed to industries like Steadicam that can really benefit from it. It was used not too long ago to shoot one of the major golf events. The Steadicam operator was able to travel all over the full golf course without problem, something that would be next to impossible on foot.
 
Hi Afton,

of course you're talking about that fight between Will, Howard and a couple of others, right? Some of the most nasty discussions and accusations I've ever heard of between such professionals, but I'll also not go much deeper into it...

Back to the subject. The Alien Revolution looks like a logical extension of the Steadicam, still it's some special kind of rig you won't need all the time.
I mean it's abiltity to switch between high and low mode or to float sideways is kinda special and comes at a hefty price tag + plus additional weight and sled length.
Not to belittle it's uniqueness, but people sometimes confuse it as a total replacement rather than a companion to a regular Steadicam.

P.S.: Afton, steadishots.org is a really great site! I'm only waiting for more work of Joerg Widmer who did some mindblowing operating on a German feature called "The Promise" (1995) original Title: "Das Versprechen" where he got the first and only bavarian film award for Steadicam work.
 
AR-alternativ

AR-alternativ

I wanted to wait until I have a lot of video footage ready, but since it's subject now... - here it is the affordable addition to your existing steadicam: The ActionCam Hi/Low-mode "360 Xtreme"

Cheers
 
I've used it on a commercial (with an excellent operator) - plus had a wander around with it - the thing is extraordinary but hard on the back (much more so than, say, a standard steadicam) - as the serious mechanics are all out on the sled (which means all the weight is at the point on the unit where it is causing the most "pull" on the operator). I'm sure one would get used to it given time and training. It does what it says on the tin - ie: Maintain a level horizon - in addition to having a "roll" head (for people who like that De Palma style shot). Low mode to high in less than a second.

One thing I noticed was that, like most, steadicam systems on a set (as so often happens) - that it made the director think he had some class of a motion control system and the poor op kept getting given "impossible" shots which he bravely (and "non-complainingly") would soldier on with - relentless retake after relentless retake. The guy spent all day, for three long days, wearing the thing. Like steadicam it also means that directors can change their minds on a dime and lighting has to reset itself constantly.
 
Hi Brian,

looking forward for the new demo-videos on your site.
Any idea how long it'll take?
 
Looks pretty good!

ar01_640.jpg


Amazing demos

video1
http://www.mk-v.com/ar-site/video/dl.php?file=ar_v2_2500kbps.mov

video 2
http://www.mk-v.com/ar-site/video/dl.php?file=mo_hitseq_2500kb.mov
 
kalone said:
Hi Afton,
of course you're talking about that fight between Will, Howard and a couple of others, right? Some of the most nasty discussions and accusations I've ever heard of between such professionals, but I'll also not go much deeper into it...
Click to expand...

Yes, that would be it, although that conflict was created independent of Will. I've retyped what I wanted the next few sentences to be several times, but I think it be best that I remain as impartial as possible. The history is there to be researched if you like.

kalone said:
P.S.: Afton, steadishots.org is a really great site! I'm only waiting for more work of Joerg Widmer who did some mindblowing operating on a German feature called "The Promise" (1995) original Title: "Das Versprechen" where he got the first and only bavarian film award for Steadicam work.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the good words! Yes, I know of Jorg. I've got one of his shots from "Faraway, So Close" on the site. Amazing. If you have any others, you can upload them yourself (anyone can, for that matter). Just click on the "Contribute" link and follow along. I very much welcome input from others.

Glad you like it!

Best,
Afton
 
AftonGrant said:
Yes, that would be it, although that conflict was created independent of Will. I've retyped what I wanted the next few sentences to be several times, but I think it be best that I remain as impartial as possible. The history is there to be researched if you like.



Thanks for the good words! Yes, I know of Jorg. I've got one of his shots from "Faraway, So Close" on the site. Amazing. If you have any others, you can upload them yourself (anyone can, for that matter). Just click on the "Contribute" link and follow along. I very much welcome input from others.

Glad you like it!

Best,
Afton
Click to expand...

Oh, I didn't intend to imply that Will started it (I've followed that giantic thread on the steadiforum).

That shot of Joerg you mentioned is absolutely awesome, I've just checked it again. I'll try to get my hands on that other shots of him, I hope it's available somewhere. Besides that your site is quite complete. The Abyss-shots, Fight Club and many more from the very early days belong to my personal favourites.

Regards,

Priyesh
 
goffb said:
I wanted to wait until I have a lot of video footage ready, but since it's subject now... - here it is the affordable addition to your existing steadicam: The ActionCam Hi/Low-mode "360 Xtreme"

Cheers
Click to expand...

Brian, is this device an electrical / electronical controlled one?
 
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