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Any Interest for a ~2K STEADICAM designed for the RED ONE?

M

Matt Sconce

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Would anyone be interested in a full steadicam rig made for RED ONE for 2k?

My dad is a physics teacher and engineer and has designed a system that we are currently testing, that can support an HVX all the way up to and past the RED (with full gear and mattebox) load. I just wanted to see if there was any interest out there, before we pursue patenting, etc. It is called the Hypercam, because we are Hyperactive Studios www.hyperactive-studios.com

Here is a teaser pic (Note: the little spring is not the structural spring. They are inside the arm. You can see a little of them:
1208975113.jpg


The differences in this design is that there is a low, medium and high rig as well as an angle rig, as well as structural differences which are original concepts, hence the patenting, as well as a new feature called the Hyperdrive which will add an extreme amount of control over the banking and tilting angles while flying the rig. The rig also has the ability to have a modification to hold extra heavy rigs, much larger than the RED ONE plus gear. (45-70 lbd rigs) The entire thing fits into a standard travel suitcase.


Most recent test with a weighted HVX setup. We will be shooting something with the Hypercam and the RED ONE in the next two weekends.
http://aftershockstudios.homestead.com/HYPERCAM_TEST.mov

First low rig test with just an HVX on the rig Unweighted to see clearance issues. This is a video of running quickly in tight quarters with an unbalanced rig:
http://aftershockstudios.homestead.com/Low_Rig_Fly.wmv

Does this idea interest anyone?:)
 
oops. Thanks mods for the move.:whistling:
 
tillHavis said:
Hi Matt ! It is good to see people coming up with new designs and ways of improving existing technology. One thing; I would urge you to use the best quality components even in your prototype. Looking at the spring and attachment on your prototype arm it does not engender much confidence. I understand this is a prototype but you would be better to wait before publishing pictures of early developments. Even if you did a Photoshop mock up rather than show an early prototype photo. First impressions do count. If you are serious you should look at the Stedicam range for materials and finishes. Post your best Photoshop mock up with specs and tests and see what the response is. Once again the idea is a good one and if your product is half as good as a Steadicam for this price I would be interested. This is not meant as a criticism of your product, it could be the next great indi-steadicam, but I would urge you to put your best foot forward in getting the initial interest going.
Click to expand...


Thank you for the advice! I should have mentioned the little spring is not the support spring. If you look behind that spring into the interior you will see the actual real spring mechanism. The little guy is something completely different for adding spring tension for extra weight if needed.
 
I second the motion. And an order maybe, too. :-)
 
I think Red Co. has set the bar and example of what kind of business success can be achieved of building a high quality product and offer it at a very, very fair price. Birger and ViewFactor is following suit and I'm sure they're doing great business. If you do your homework and can do what steadicam, actioncam, sachtler, and others are doing and then offer a quality steady system at 2k? You won't be able to build them fast enough. I think actioncam is in that situation now by offering it first at 9k, 11k, and now 15k (they lost me as a customer at 15k). Pay attention to the vest as well. I tried Sachtler's vest at NAB... great design. You're going to get a lot of doubters that a quality steadicam can be built and offered at that price. But, hey, I think we all know of a company that had a lot of doubters and proved them all wrong.

If you need any alpha testers, let me know! :)

P.S. Can I have one tomorrow?
 
Jason Ing said:
I think Red Co. has set the bar and example of what kind of business success can be achieved of building a high quality product and offer it at a very, very fair price. Birger and ViewFactor is following suit and I'm sure they're doing great business. If you do your homework and can do what steadicam, actioncam, sachtler, and others are doing and then offer a quality steady system at 2k? You won't be able to build them fast enough. I think actioncam is in that situation now by offering it first at 9k, 11k, and now 15k (they lost me as a customer at 15k). Pay attention to the vest as well. I tried Sachtler's vest at NAB... great design. You're going to get a lot of doubters that a quality steadicam can be built and offered at that price. But, hey, I think we all know of a company that had a lot of doubters and proved them all wrong.

If you need any alpha testers, let me know! :)

P.S. Can I have one tomorrow?
Click to expand...


Haha! Thanks for the insight. Our vest rocks and has some extra features that I have not seen previously. I will be much freer to discuss specifics as well as show the rig in action once we know it is safe and secure with some sort of copyright, patent, etc. I am excited to do so because of what I believe are revolutionary changes to the design. My dad used a Glidecam V-16 for a shoot recently and thought he could make a better steadicam. he then started researching the structure and functionality of all models, then put together a design that does exactly what he wants from a steadicam. That is what the Hypercam is. We have one prototype in action at the moment and are going through 2 weeks of alpha testing coming up with the RED ONE, owned by Blaire Media, in Fresno . We plan to have a second unit soon. I will keep the alpha testing in mind though. It may actually be a viable option for us to send units out to be tested.

It will be interesting to see what the interest for this is, because it will dictate the assembly procedure for the Hypercam. If a bajillion people want one, then planning must be made that allows that demand to be met, Crew hired, etc.

I do know one thing though. The price will not vary much from $2000.00

I feel this is a breakthrough in this area similar to the RED's breakthrough in the indie camera realm. A steadicam rig that can do what the others can do, and much more, for less than any of them.

I will let you guys know as this develops, but to have a functional working prototype is pretty awesome. It is definitely a good first step. We will know more after the Red Shoot over the next three weeks.:ph34r:
 
Hi Matt,

You and your dad probally already know about the "Home Built Stabilizer" site. Lots of good info and friendly folk there. They have been around for a while and have the "Steadicam" broken down into componet sections and how to build your own of these sections. Very nice and comfortable site.
 
Alpha test with steady system operators. Maybe post on those forums too. The feedback, like Redusers, will just make the product better. But I'm sure you're already doing that. :)

Oh, and another one I heard about... something called the "bumble bee" that didn't do so hot because of the poor quality (I think it went for 6k?). Just trying to help out with any kind of info.

Can you guess-timate an ETA? And is the high, mid, low setup set or can the cam boom up and down a little?
 
Jason Ing said:
Alpha test with steady system operators. Maybe post on those forums too. The feedback, like Redusers, will just make the product better. But I'm sure you're already doing that. :)

Oh, and another one I heard about... something called the "bumble bee" that didn't do so hot because of the poor quality (I think it went for 6k?). Just trying to help out with any kind of info.

Can you guess-timate an ETA? And is the high, mid, low setup set or can the cam boom up and down a little?
Click to expand...

It can boom up and down a bit and can tilt as well. The high, mid, and low is there main height at that setting and then the freedom of movement can go upwards and downwards around that height.


Thank you all for the feedback so far. We will have two of these in the next couple months, but I do not know the ETA for the others. It depends on the RED Testing coming up and the demand. If it is feasable for my Dad to build more of these beasts (40-50 hours of production per unit) :construction: He will probably make more. I will let you guys know how this all goes.:love:
 
Matt...

There's a big difference between people saying they'd buy something when asked and people actually forking over the cash when it comes due. Consider how many people didn't take delivery of their Red cameras when they could have. Hard to believe yeah, but it's just the fact of business.

With that said, I'd be interested in paying $1,000 right now to beta test if you can ship me a working prototype in the next two weeks. Then I would pay the remaining $1,000 when you have the finished model and I can return the prototype. I also know a great I.P. attorney if you are looking for one and can recommend you start with the book "Patent Pending in 24 Hours" from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Patent-Pendin...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209593177&sr=8-1

PM me if you are interested. I'll wire you the $1,000 this week and take my chances putting your prototype to use and giving you some genuine customer feedback. The video examples you posted look shakier than I can do handheld but I'm sure things will improve quickly.

-shooter

P.S. I can sign an NDA for your protection and if you file a provisional patent this week, you'll be protected on the prototype going out the door.
http://inventors.about.com/od/provisionalpatent/a/Provisional_Pat.htm
 
One word of advice- don't ever call it a home-built Steadicam. We all know what you mean but that's a trademarked name of a specific product. Nothing like a nice infringement lawsuit to ruin your whole week. Call it a stabilizer rig or what have you but don't go there...


Noah
 
NoahK said:
One word of advice- don't ever call it a home-built Steadicam. We all know what you mean but that's a trademarked name of a specific product. Nothing like a nice infringement lawsuit to ruin your whole week. Call it a stabilizer rig or what have you but don't go there...


Noah
Click to expand...

Very good call! :-)

This should help.

Let me clarify for the record. This is an Indie Stabilization rig and is not a "Steadicam". It is a "Hypercam". It is designed differently and is targeted differently.:gun:

Good advice.
 
shooter said:
Matt...

There's a big difference between people saying they'd buy something when asked and people actually forking over the cash when it comes due. Consider how many people didn't take delivery of their Red cameras when they could have. Hard to believe yeah, but it's just the fact of business.

With that said, I'd be interested in paying $1,000 right now to beta test if you can ship me a working prototype in the next two weeks. Then I would pay the remaining $1,000 when you have the finished model and I can return the prototype. I also know a great I.P. attorney if you are looking for one and can recommend you start with the book "Patent Pending in 24 Hours" from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Patent-Pendin...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209593177&sr=8-1

PM me if you are interested. I'll wire you the $1,000 this week and take my chances putting your prototype to use and giving you some genuine customer feedback. The video examples you posted look shakier than I can do handheld but I'm sure things will improve quickly.

-shooter

P.S. I can sign an NDA for your protection and if you file a provisional patent this week, you'll be protected on the prototype going out the door.
http://inventors.about.com/od/provisionalpatent/a/Provisional_Pat.htm
Click to expand...

Interesting. I will contact my dad and see if that is doable. We only have our prototype right now and we are using it with the Red on a shoot May 9th-19th, so it will depend on if another can be made that quickly. Thank you for the info, and I will let you know.
 
NoahK said:
One word of advice- don't ever call it a home-built Steadicam. We all know what you mean but that's a trademarked name of a specific product. Nothing like a nice infringement lawsuit to ruin your whole week. Call it a stabilizer rig or what have you but don't go there...


Noah
Click to expand...

NoahK,

Is that true? I know the patent rights ran out sometime ago. Hence all the other brands out there. I thought the trademark was related.
 
Hey there,
I just talked to my dad and he is targeting the Z wobble. He says after the red shoot coming up, he will eliminate the wobble. After that he will make some Beta test deals. Until then he can't release a Proto type. We don't want to release a proto-type until it is ready for Beta, eliminating wobble. My dad said it is in Alpha stage, but that it should be close to testing stage in a month or two.
 
chuck colburn said:
By Z do you mean movement in the vertical plane?
Click to expand...

When you watch the footage, especially on the high rig and the unbalanced low rig fly, there is slight Z wobble or tilt around the Z access in the same direction a plane's propellar would spin. Just slight, but there as of now. This can be completely eliminated by a heavier rig and operator practice but we want it to not wobble at all, so we are testing it on the upcoming shoots to see how best to eliminate it. The Glidecam V-16 had the same wobble and it is one of the things on our list to get rid of. We have an idea how to, and after that all should be well.:)
 
I like what you are doing here, Matt.. if you get it working well and price is right, we might be in for one.

Keep up the good work :)
 
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