@@steadivision Chris-or whoever just got back to me here :), I have a QUICK QUESTION and I can't get ahold of anybody at Tiffen/Steadicam at the moment: Is it possible to mount an Aero30 arm to an Exovest? I figure the answer is "yes", but I can't seem to figure out if I would need the small or large socket block...? Any help on this would be most appreciated! Thanks so much! -Alec
Hi Alec, Tiffen will answer you. They’re working shifts with minimal staff to reduce exposure to infection. And yes, you can fit the Aero arm to the Exovest. You just need to specify the smaller socket block, which you can switch out easily if you move to a bigger rig. All the best, Chris (steadivision)
@@steadivision Chris, That's what I figured (about Tiffen). Perfect!-Thank you so much for getting back to me. I will leave them a message in the future if I have any other questions. Took a Pro Line vest that came with an otherwise solid Aero30 rig out for a long test shoot yesterday and it pretty much destroyed me-don't think it was made for carrying 30lbs (still trying to that find out, it's kind of a strange generic vest...can't find much info). I got some great shots but walking/shooting for an hour and a half left me wanting more stability, efficiency and the ability to stay out of the fight/flight/overcompensation zone-my shoulders took a real beating. Really appreciate you getting back to me. Hope you're doing well/staying safe amidst Covid! - Alec
Chris, I've been a steadicam operator for more than 30 years. Took my workshop with Jerry and Garrett in 1990. And during that workshop, we were taught to "walk the line”, learn to walk like a ballet dancer. Put one foot in right in front of the other at each step in order to prevent the left and right sway of the normal walk and achieve that straight line shot. At the time, we were using “traditional”vests…. The ability to deliver a good and strait shot has nothing to do with the vest. A “traditional” vest will not make you waddle left and right and lock your pelvis. ONLY good training and proper knowledge of how to use your body and adapt your walking technique with a steadicam is the goal every steadicam operator should aim at, regardless of the vest you have. A vest or harness will either be more comfortable or more in tune with your body, but the operating technique is what's paramount here, regardless of the vest/harness you use. If you don’t walk the line, or walk like a ballet dance, you will deliver a shot that moves left and right, that “waddling” you’re referring to, regardless of the vest/harness you use. A vest or harness is only a question of comfort and/or preference. Some operators prefer the front mounted options, some prefer the back mounted. Some prefer the GPI-PRO, some prefer the Klassen, some prefer the Exovest etc. But whatever the vest you use, if you walk the wrong way, the shot will suffer, period. The Exovest will not make it easier, and the “traditional” will not make it harder. What you’re implying at time 3:20 is very misleading in my opinion. The Exovest is a great product, but so is the traditional. Let's not forget all those great iconic shots that were done by great operators using "traditional" vests AND proper body technique...
Hi Frankie, it's very interesting what you write, and you are correct. I just had an email dialogue with Larry McConkey about this subject, as he is (in my mind) a master of walking technique. I guess what I should have said is that when walking in a traditional vest, you either need to use a walking technique that forces the socket block to move ahead in a straight line, or you need to trim the rig from side to side (relative to your body) to keep it moving in a straight line. I'm basically a lazy person, and always look for the lowest energy solution to everything I do. So the reason the Exovest has a pivot system is so you can walk absolutely normally, and still have the socket block move in a straight line. I'm curious to know if this answers the thrust of your comment. If so, I'll try to amend the video to clarify.
This is an awesome instruction!
excellent lesson ... very good tutorial
Chris, thanks so much for putting all of these videos up. They are extremely helpful.
Thanks Alec!
@@steadivision Chris-or whoever just got back to me here :), I have a QUICK QUESTION and I can't get ahold of anybody at Tiffen/Steadicam at the moment: Is it possible to mount an Aero30 arm to an Exovest? I figure the answer is "yes", but I can't seem to figure out if I would need the small or large socket block...? Any help on this would be most appreciated! Thanks so much! -Alec
Hi Alec, Tiffen will answer you. They’re working shifts with minimal staff to reduce exposure to infection. And yes, you can fit the Aero arm to the Exovest. You just need to specify the smaller socket block, which you can switch out easily if you move to a bigger rig. All the best, Chris (steadivision)
@@steadivision Chris, That's what I figured (about Tiffen). Perfect!-Thank you so much for getting back to me. I will leave them a message in the future if I have any other questions. Took a Pro Line vest that came with an otherwise solid Aero30 rig out for a long test shoot yesterday and it pretty much destroyed me-don't think it was made for carrying 30lbs (still trying to that find out, it's kind of a strange generic vest...can't find much info). I got some great shots but walking/shooting for an hour and a half left me wanting more stability, efficiency and the ability to stay out of the fight/flight/overcompensation zone-my shoulders took a real beating. Really appreciate you getting back to me. Hope you're doing well/staying safe amidst Covid! - Alec
Thanks Alec! I hope the Exovest works out better for you.
So many benefits to the Exovest I wasn't aware of!
is this barefoot or trail shoes you wearing? Great video btw.
Barefoot shoes. These are Merrell Trail Gloves. I almost always work in minimal shoes, usually Vibram Fivefingers.
Chris, I've been a steadicam operator for more than 30 years. Took my workshop with Jerry and Garrett in 1990. And during that workshop, we were taught to "walk the line”, learn to walk like a ballet dancer. Put one foot in right in front of the other at each step in order to prevent the left and right sway of the normal walk and achieve that straight line shot. At the time, we were using “traditional”vests…. The ability to deliver a good and strait shot has nothing to do with the vest. A “traditional” vest will not make you waddle left and right and lock your pelvis. ONLY good training and proper knowledge of how to use your body and adapt your walking technique with a steadicam is the goal every steadicam operator should aim at, regardless of the vest you have. A vest or harness will either be more comfortable or more in tune with your body, but the operating technique is what's paramount here, regardless of the vest/harness you use. If you don’t walk the line, or walk like a ballet dance, you will deliver a shot that moves left and right, that “waddling” you’re referring to, regardless of the vest/harness you use. A vest or harness is only a question of comfort and/or preference. Some operators prefer the front mounted options, some prefer the back mounted. Some prefer the GPI-PRO, some prefer the Klassen, some prefer the Exovest etc. But whatever the vest you use, if you walk the wrong way, the shot will suffer, period. The Exovest will not make it easier, and the “traditional” will not make it harder. What you’re implying at time 3:20 is very misleading in my opinion. The Exovest is a great product, but so is the traditional. Let's not forget all those great iconic shots that were done by great operators using "traditional" vests AND proper body technique...
Hi Frankie, it's very interesting what you write, and you are correct. I just had an email dialogue with Larry McConkey about this subject, as he is (in my mind) a master of walking technique. I guess what I should have said is that when walking in a traditional vest, you either need to use a walking technique that forces the socket block to move ahead in a straight line, or you need to trim the rig from side to side (relative to your body) to keep it moving in a straight line. I'm basically a lazy person, and always look for the lowest energy solution to everything I do. So the reason the Exovest has a pivot system is so you can walk absolutely normally, and still have the socket block move in a straight line. I'm curious to know if this answers the thrust of your comment. If so, I'll try to amend the video to clarify.