TCM Feature on SteadiCam. at DVinfo.net

Nathan Gifford · January 3rd, 2002, 11:09 PM

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

Chris Hurd · January 4th, 2002, 12:06 AM

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.

Daniel H. Buchmann · January 4th, 2002, 12:09 AM

Was it Rocky?

Justin Walter · January 4th, 2002, 01:00 AM

I don't know... the Shining?

Nathan Gifford · January 4th, 2002, 07:33 AM

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.

Chris Hurd · January 4th, 2002, 09:27 AM

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,

Daniel H. Buchmann · January 5th, 2002, 12:38 AM

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

Chris Hurd · January 7th, 2002, 11:25 AM

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

Daniel H. Buchmann · January 8th, 2002, 09:26 PM

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

Chris Hurd · January 9th, 2002, 02:54 AM

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

Nathan Gifford · January 9th, 2002, 11:18 AM

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

Nathan Gifford

January 9th, 2002, 04:21 PM

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...

Mike Butler · January 9th, 2002, 05:30 PM

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!)

Charles Papert · January 30th, 2002, 08:08 PM

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!

Mike Butler · January 31st, 2002, 04:18 PM

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.

January 3rd, 2002, 11:09 PM	#1
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	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

January 4th, 2002, 12:06 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	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. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 4th, 2002, 01:00 AM	#4
Justin Walter Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Justin Walter - Salt Lake City Posts: 51	I give up I don't know... the Shining?

January 4th, 2002, 07:33 AM	#5
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	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.

January 4th, 2002, 09:27 AM	#6
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	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, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 4th, 2002, 12:09 AM	#3
Daniel H. Buchmann Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 57	Was it Rocky?

January 5th, 2002, 12:38 AM	#7
Daniel H. Buchmann Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 57	Hey, I was right!!! Does that mean I win a free XL1s from Chris:)

January 7th, 2002, 11:25 AM	#8
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Daniel, you win a cookie. These days it's all i can afford. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 8th, 2002, 09:26 PM	#9
Daniel H. Buchmann Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 57	how's about a cookie shaped like and XL1s? (preferably chocolate chip:)

January 9th, 2002, 02:54 AM	#10
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Sure -- it will have three 1/3rd inch chocolate chips. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 9th, 2002, 11:18 AM	#11
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Everyone knows the better cookies use 2/3" chips! You ain't getting anything until you are using 2/3" chips.... Nathan Gifford

January 9th, 2002, 04:21 PM	#12
globalvillage Posts: n/a	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...

January 9th, 2002, 05:30 PM	#13
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	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!) __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

January 30th, 2002, 08:08 PM	#14
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	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! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

January 31st, 2002, 04:18 PM	#15
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	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. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."