tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8078779326914378322.post7223734903091257838..comments2024-03-22T14:40:33.276-07:00Comments on Blood, Sweat, and Tedium: Confessions of a Hollywood Juicer: Follow Your InstinctsMichael Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569781786039595929noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8078779326914378322.post-28424716235023104322011-06-26T20:54:46.178-07:002011-06-26T20:54:46.178-07:00I posted this over on black and blue for the same ...I posted this over on black and blue for the same article... seems fitting to post here as my instincts told me to hang around the camera a bit longer and it's a good thing I listened to them!<br /><br />``I was gripping on a feature last year when a DP was balancing his steadicam. He was just starting, had the offset plate mounted to the top of a 750 roller, and put the sled onto the plate. I went to get him a sandbag, when I came back with it he took it from me and placed it on the leg directly underneath the sled. I said to the DP, I think it would be best to place the bag on the opposite leg given the offset of the sled on the plate mounted on the 750 roller. He ignored my comment and obviously not wanting to piss him off I let it go without speaking further. 5 minutes later he's doing final adjustments. He turns away for a few seconds and in my peripheral vision I see the sled tipping slightly. Turning my head I saw the wheels of the 750 roller lifting up on the opposite leg from the steadicam, camera flying toward the ground. I lunged forward grabbing the post of the sled moments before the whole camera package hit the earth. The DP turns to see me holding the now safe steadicam sled and camera. He tells me Nice catch! Then put the sandbag on the opposite leg of the stand ;-)``Patrick Kaplinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8078779326914378322.post-16525452092066724342011-06-24T17:45:44.868-07:002011-06-24T17:45:44.868-07:00I can't tell you how many times trusting my in...I can't tell you how many times trusting my instincts have inexplicably saved my ass... And how many times I've fallen flat on my face when I didn't.A.J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06280771470428710391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8078779326914378322.post-33510529775808271142011-06-22T13:44:02.866-07:002011-06-22T13:44:02.866-07:00That's just a fail for all. But most of all fo...That's just a fail for all. But most of all for the ac who assembled the camera.<br /><br />I hate those moments of a group fail. It's a race to not be the one under the bus.Niallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8078779326914378322.post-65641196762255884562011-06-20T09:37:58.777-07:002011-06-20T09:37:58.777-07:00JD --
There was only one assistant -- it was that...JD --<br /><br />There was only one assistant -- it was that kind of job -- who was going through the cases looking for something at the time. The camera operator was also the director/DP, so he was off talking with the art department about the next shot. On small jobs like that, the grips were expected to help move the camera in such circumstances. <br /><br />What I'll never understand is why the camera wasn't properly attached to the mounting plate in the first place. Seems to me the assistant or camera operator should have noticed something was amiss.Michael Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02569781786039595929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8078779326914378322.post-79172133303150135392011-06-20T07:51:00.781-07:002011-06-20T07:51:00.781-07:00Where was the camera department? Should the AC or...Where was the camera department? Should the AC or operator have had hands on the camera for the move?JDnoreply@blogger.com