TCM Feature on SteadiCam.
 

If you get a chance, TCM (Turner Classic Movies) ran a short feature with the creator of the SteadiCam (or is it StediCam?). A very intersting short showing what I presume was old film of the system in use. The film shows the SteadiCam workshop where students learn fow to use the system.

Nathan Gifford

That gentleman's name is Garrett Brown, and I had the pleasure of meeting him at NAB 2000. I became speechless when he told me he was a regular Watchdog visitor. Quite a guy.

Trivia question: name the first feature film in wide release to use the Steadicam.

Was it Rocky?

I give up
 

I don't know... the Shining?

I hate pop quizzes.
 

Chris I always hated pop quizzes...it takes the enjoyment out of watching the show. I know they talked about it...I think 'the kid' debut was Heaven's Gate.

Nathan Gifford

P.S. The Shining was another SteadiCam feature.

Heh, keeps you on your toes Nathan... Brown's 35mm Steadicam was first used in the boxing scenes in 1976's "Rocky," and "The Shining" in 1980 was the first use of 70mm Steadicam.

Thank you for playing... material for future trivia quizzes may originate from this page: http://www.ouc.bc.ca/fina/film/filmdate.html

Duckwalking,

Hey, I was right!!! Does that mean I win a free XL1s from Chris:)

Daniel, you win a cookie. These days it's all i can afford.

how's about a cookie shaped like and XL1s? (preferably chocolate chip:)

Sure -- it will have three 1/3rd inch chocolate chips.

Everyone knows the better cookies use 2/3" chips!
 

You ain't getting anything until you are using 2/3" chips....

Nathan Gifford

Actually, I think the first movie that the steadicam was used in was "Bound for Glory," a biography of Woody Guthrie, in 1975. It starred David Carradine. I'm not sure that it ever enjoyed a "wide" release, however...

If memory serves me, didn't Garrett Brown's website have the story of how they used the original Steadicam in "Rocky" and talked about borrowing the battery out of a car and shlepping the whole mess up and down the Phila. library steps (what a workout!)

OK Chris, I sort of have to call you on your answer to the pop quiz...!

"globalvillage" was correct, in terms of production chronology; "Bound for Glory" was the first film in which the Steadicam was used, followed by "Rocky" and "Marathon Man". Also, "The Shining" was shot in standard spherical 35mm, not 70mm.

I have known Garrett for many years (I was in the 1985 class shown in the documentary on TCM) and it is thrilling that he is currently being feted for his achievements, demonstrated by the TCM series and his imminent President's Award from the American Society of Cinematographers. He is a brilliant inventor and always generous with aspiring filmmakers and operators.


Speaking of which Chris, many thanks for your highly informative site which I found invaluable while entering the world of DV in the last few years as a sideline hobby. Great job!

Hey Steadichupap--
your opinion please, I am a run-of-the-mill corporate XL1 shooter, don't own a Steadicam at all. SOA keeps notifying me of Steadicam trainings for $2500 I think. Is this something I should seriously think about? There seem to be very few owner-operators in my area, and I wonder if the industry (in Connecticut) could use another. Just a dumb question I guess, but I am always looking for opportunities to expand my repertoire of services.

BTW, I guess the Steadicam DV is not what I should be thinking about for an XL1, instead a vest-mount model for the next size up camera.