Invitation to prank at DVinfo.net

Charles Papert · February 2nd, 2004, 02:29 PM

A dear friend of mine, Jon Brown (son of Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown and a fierce DP in his own right) was testing a piece of software that aids in creating eBay ads, and he placed

this fanciful bit of business up for auction. Outside of it being a fun read, I am on a quest to blow his mind by having as many bids take place on this as possible. I implore all fun-loving DVI'ers to bid in the lowest possible increments if you have the time or inclination. I wouldn't worry about the final result, i.e. winning and having to worry about shipping or anything like that, it's just a lark. Thank you in advance,

Imran Zaidi · February 2nd, 2004, 02:36 PM

Haha! Next to the 'no dings and scratches line' it should also say, "No pre-existing bite marks" - just for good measure.

Charles Papert · February 2nd, 2004, 09:14 PM

The beat goes on--some 37 bids have been logged today on this item. Folks have been firing questions over to JB, who firmly believes that all of this is due to a spontaneous viral campaign...some of the responses as posted on other boards are pretty classic:

> Hi. I had a couple of questions for you:

>
> 1. Is this the later "mark II" model or the earlier more desireable
> "mark I"?

This is a "Mark I" model
>
> 2. Has anything or anyone famous been involved with this item?

The girl who played the Daughter in "Coach" once had her demo reels
tapes on the shelf that this pencil has been stored on. Also, Garrett
Brown, the inventor of the Steadicaam, once briefly glanced at the
pencil in question.
>
> 3. Do you have any unsharpened? They are worth more this way.

This pencil was acquired already sharpened
>
> 4. This one seem from the photo to be sharpened in the southern
> style. Do you have any in the eastern asian style?

The Pencil would not qualify for OSHA safety standards if it was
sharpened in the E.A. Style, so we are unable to offer them to our US
customers
>
> 5. What is the serial number?

#2
>
> 6. What kind of batteries does it take and how many?

No batteries are require for normal use of the pencil All other uses
would immediately void the warranty.
>
> 7. Since I lost all of the fingers on both hands in a horrible
> motorcycle accident involving a gasoline truck, do you have any
> additional devices to make this "disabled friendl"y for me?

See attached picture:

The attached picture was of duct tape.

Don Bloom · February 2nd, 2004, 10:15 PM

I really wanted to bid but my wife said NO more video stuff. I tried to explain the purpose of the item was far more than just video use but she was having none of it so I'm out. Darn!

Charles,thank you for posting this. This is THE best thread I've read in a couple of days.
Don

Rick Bravo · February 2nd, 2004, 10:32 PM

What the hell is a pencil?

Don't know what it is but there seems to be a large Black Market demand for the only remaining one.

Whatever it is, please have it returned to the Smithsonian where it will be received, no questions asked!

Dylan Couper · February 2nd, 2004, 11:28 PM

I sent this question to him. If it isn't, I may retract my bid...

"Hi
Can you tell me if this is IEEE 1394 and USB 2 compliant? I can't see any interface ports in the auction pictures?
Thanks"

Dylan Couper · February 2nd, 2004, 11:59 PM

His reply:
> Honestly, i don't think so. At least not USB 2, because the item was
> built long before USB was around. IEEE 1394, though, I couldn't say.
> Sorry I can't be more helpful...

My reply:

Thanks
It is a wireless device though, right?

Charles Papert · February 3rd, 2004, 12:14 AM

Sounds like he may be getting tired--it's been a long day of responding to emails for him...!

Dylan Couper · February 3rd, 2004, 12:26 AM

He replied back:

The only wireless function of this machine is the optional remote
control set-up, which is not included. This only allows you to play,
pause, scan etc...

I'll leave him alone now. :)
I threw a bid on there, but sadly was outbid.

Joe Gioielli · February 3rd, 2004, 12:50 PM

There are fees assiciated with selling an item on ebay. Some of them are based on what an item sells for.

I don't know how he formatted his auction, but bear that in mind before you bid?

Cute though.

Charles Papert · February 3rd, 2004, 02:06 PM

Dylan:

It appears that you may have responded to the wrong auction--JB is also selling a 3/4" deck and was actually trying to give you serious answers about that item rather than non-sequiteurs re: the pencil! He apologizes and promises to be more comical in the future.

p.s. pencil currently at $40.00...

Robert Knecht Schmidt · February 3rd, 2004, 02:13 PM

Who would be so stupid as to bid $40 on a pencil?

Don Bloom · February 3rd, 2004, 02:21 PM

Robert,
Your question is like asking the meaning of life or even like asking why is the world so upset about Janet Jacksons boob being exposed for less than the time it takes to blink, you know, the really important stuff.
As someone once said, "there's one born every minute"
$40 for a pencil?
It better a really NICE pencil!

satire included in this post ;-()

Don

Marc Betz · February 3rd, 2004, 02:50 PM

My question sent to the seller?

"Does this device come with the gold colored band that holds the attached eraser in place? And is it the gold colored band with the critical red stripe?

Thanks"

Robert KS's post id funny cause HE bid $40.00

HEHEHEH

Marc

Marc Betz · February 3rd, 2004, 03:22 PM

This is the answer I got

"Yes, the gold colored metal device is included, and we only offer the
more desirable version with the red band. Please note that there is no
real gold on the pencil"

Good sport

Marc

February 2nd, 2004, 02:29 PM	#1
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Invitation to prank A dear friend of mine, Jon Brown (son of Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown and a fierce DP in his own right) was testing a piece of software that aids in creating eBay ads, and he placed this fanciful bit of business up for auction. Outside of it being a fun read, I am on a quest to blow his mind by having as many bids take place on this as possible. I implore all fun-loving DVI'ers to bid in the lowest possible increments if you have the time or inclination. I wouldn't worry about the final result, i.e. winning and having to worry about shipping or anything like that, it's just a lark. Thank you in advance, __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 2nd, 2004, 09:14 PM	#3
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	The beat goes on--some 37 bids have been logged today on this item. Folks have been firing questions over to JB, who firmly believes that all of this is due to a spontaneous viral campaign...some of the responses as posted on other boards are pretty classic: > Hi. I had a couple of questions for you: > > 1. Is this the later "mark II" model or the earlier more desireable > "mark I"? This is a "Mark I" model > > 2. Has anything or anyone famous been involved with this item? The girl who played the Daughter in "Coach" once had her demo reels tapes on the shelf that this pencil has been stored on. Also, Garrett Brown, the inventor of the Steadicaam, once briefly glanced at the pencil in question. > > 3. Do you have any unsharpened? They are worth more this way. This pencil was acquired already sharpened > > 4. This one seem from the photo to be sharpened in the southern > style. Do you have any in the eastern asian style? The Pencil would not qualify for OSHA safety standards if it was sharpened in the E.A. Style, so we are unable to offer them to our US customers > > 5. What is the serial number? #2 > > 6. What kind of batteries does it take and how many? No batteries are require for normal use of the pencil All other uses would immediately void the warranty. > > 7. Since I lost all of the fingers on both hands in a horrible > motorcycle accident involving a gasoline truck, do you have any > additional devices to make this "disabled friendl"y for me? See attached picture: The attached picture was of duct tape. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 2nd, 2004, 10:32 PM	#5
Rick Bravo Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 574	Pencil? What the hell is a pencil? Don't know what it is but there seems to be a large Black Market demand for the only remaining one. Whatever it is, please have it returned to the Smithsonian where it will be received, no questions asked! __________________ "The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra. www.rbravo.com

February 2nd, 2004, 11:28 PM	#6
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I sent this question to him. If it isn't, I may retract my bid... "Hi Can you tell me if this is IEEE 1394 and USB 2 compliant? I can't see any interface ports in the auction pictures? Thanks" __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

February 2nd, 2004, 11:59 PM	#7
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	His reply: > Honestly, i don't think so. At least not USB 2, because the item was > built long before USB was around. IEEE 1394, though, I couldn't say. > Sorry I can't be more helpful... My reply: Thanks It is a wireless device though, right? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

February 2nd, 2004, 02:36 PM	#2
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	Haha! Next to the 'no dings and scratches line' it should also say, "No pre-existing bite marks" - just for good measure.

February 2nd, 2004, 10:15 PM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I really wanted to bid but my wife said NO more video stuff. I tried to explain the purpose of the item was far more than just video use but she was having none of it so I'm out. Darn! Charles,thank you for posting this. This is THE best thread I've read in a couple of days. Don

February 3rd, 2004, 12:14 AM	#8
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Sounds like he may be getting tired--it's been a long day of responding to emails for him...! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 3rd, 2004, 12:26 AM	#9
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	He replied back: The only wireless function of this machine is the optional remote control set-up, which is not included. This only allows you to play, pause, scan etc... I'll leave him alone now. :) I threw a bid on there, but sadly was outbid. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

February 3rd, 2004, 12:50 PM	#10
Joe Gioielli Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Port Richey, Fl Posts: 142	There are fees assiciated with selling an item on ebay. Some of them are based on what an item sells for. I don't know how he formatted his auction, but bear that in mind before you bid? Cute though. __________________ Why ask me? I thought you were in charge!

February 3rd, 2004, 02:06 PM	#11
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Dylan: It appears that you may have responded to the wrong auction--JB is also selling a 3/4" deck and was actually trying to give you serious answers about that item rather than non-sequiteurs re: the pencil! He apologizes and promises to be more comical in the future. p.s. pencil currently at $40.00... __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

February 3rd, 2004, 02:13 PM	#12
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Who would be so stupid as to bid $40 on a pencil? __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 3rd, 2004, 02:21 PM	#13
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Robert, Your question is like asking the meaning of life or even like asking why is the world so upset about Janet Jacksons boob being exposed for less than the time it takes to blink, you know, the really important stuff. As someone once said, "there's one born every minute" $40 for a pencil? It better a really NICE pencil! satire included in this post ;-() Don

February 3rd, 2004, 02:50 PM	#14
Marc Betz Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NH Posts: 95	penciadict My question sent to the seller? "Does this device come with the gold colored band that holds the attached eraser in place? And is it the gold colored band with the critical red stripe? Thanks" Robert KS's post id funny cause HE bid $40.00 HEHEHEH Marc __________________ Marc Betz

February 3rd, 2004, 03:22 PM	#15
Marc Betz Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NH Posts: 95	Response This is the answer I got "Yes, the gold colored metal device is included, and we only offer the more desirable version with the red band. Please note that there is no real gold on the pencil" Good sport Marc __________________ Marc Betz