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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 :)

where to rent actioncam?

Brandon Fraley

Brandon Fraley

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I'm in Monterey, California, and I was wondering if there was anywhere in the area (San Jose, San Francisco) I could rent an actioncam. Also, am I completely out of my mind to try to use it myself? do i really need to hire an operator with it? if so, where would i go about finding a cheap actioncam/steadicam operator for a day?

THANKS!
 
If it is a real job flying a Red then,

If you are not a steadicam operator, then yes, it would be a complete waste of time for you to try it yourself, and you may hurt yourself and your camera.

Sorry, thats just the truth. And as far as steadicam goes you are really going to get what you pay for. Expect to pay $2k a day for an pro operator and rig. If you get a guy who just got his rig and will do it for $600, it's going to look like shit.

Again, it depends on what you want, if you want a wide lens floaty around goofy pov shot, then Mr. $600 a day may be fine. If you want to do a complicated shot on a 50mm lens hitting marks, with cues, and all the normal stuff ops do, it's gonna cost you.

Not busting your balls, just being honest,

Nick
 
arrinick said:
If it is a real job flying a Red then,

If you are not a steadicam operator, then yes, it would be a complete waste of time for you to try it yourself, and you may hurt yourself and your camera.

Sorry, thats just the truth. And as far as steadicam goes you are really going to get what you pay for. Expect to pay $2k a day for an pro operator and rig. If you get a guy who just got his rig and will do it for $600, it's going to look like shit.

Again, it depends on what you want, if you want a wide lens floaty around goofy pov shot, then Mr. $600 a day may be fine. If you want to do a complicated shot on a 50mm lens hitting marks, with cues, and all the normal stuff ops do, it's gonna cost you.

Not busting your balls, just being honest,

Nick
Click to expand...

I concur, it takes a lot of flying to get really good at it. I took the Steadicam workshop at Lake Arrowhead and was surprised at how difficult it was to use. Don't get me wrong, the workshop showed me how to balance the rig and the right way to use it, but, because I don't use Steadicam on a regular basis, I would probably hire a pro to operate in my projects. These guys are worth every cent.
 
arrinick said:
If it is a real job flying a Red then,

If you are not a steadicam operator, then yes, it would be a complete waste of time for you to try it yourself, and you may hurt yourself and your camera.

Sorry, thats just the truth.

Not busting your balls, just being honest,

Nick
Click to expand...

no apology needed :) I knew this much already, but just wanted confirmation that it'd be silly to try it myself.

So back to where to find someone?
 
arrinick said:
If it is a real job flying a Red then,

If you are not a steadicam operator, then yes, it would be a complete waste of time for you to try it yourself, and you may hurt yourself and your camera.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I completely agree with this. Operating a steadicam is an acquired skill, just as operating any other piece of complex equipment, yet people have to start somewhere. What better way to test the waters of steadicam operation, than to rent a unit? That's how I started... That's how many operators I know got started. But I do agree in that you should not rent a unit for a production and have a first-timer strap it on.

The operation of the steadicam itself is not that difficult. A properly configured steadicam will give give that floaty, steady result, even in the hands of an amateur after a few practice runs, as long as they understand a few principles of coordination and movement.

However, what defines a good steadicam operator (IMO), is consistency. A good operator needs to be able to continuously hit their mark and not only that, they need to be able to repeat the same exact motions and camera paths time and time again. That said, I've run across some steadi operators who were pretty darn good, even after only operating for a few months or a year. I've also encountered one or two that have a few years experience and will, sadly, probably never get it...
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
I'm not sure I completely agree with this. Operating a steadicam is an acquired skill, just as operating any other piece of complex equipment, yet people have to start somewhere. What better way to test the waters of steadicam operation, than to rent a unit? That's how I started... That's how many operators I know got started. But I do agree in that you should not rent a unit for a production and have a first-timer strap it on.

The operation of the steadicam itself is not that difficult. A properly configured steadicam will give give that floaty, steady result, even in the hands of an amateur after a few practice runs, as long as they understand a few principles of coordination and movement.

However, what defines a good steadicam operator (IMO), is consistency. A good operator needs to be able to continuously hit their mark and not only that, they need to be able to repeat the same exact motions and camera paths time and time again. That said, I've run across some steadi operators who were pretty darn good, even after only operating for a few months or a year. I've also encountered one or two that have a few years experience and will, sadly, probably never get it...
Click to expand...

That sums it up nicely.

I'm getting my actionCam next tuesday:)

Emmanuel
 
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