Yes. There are a lot of tricks that one should learn early on that then get tucked in your back pocket for later. At the workshops we create shots that purposely force students into switching sides.

Suffice to say that the majority of operators I know including myself will generally try to keep the swinging around to a minimum, and will also avoid Don Juan whenever possible. Some guys I know claim to never go into Don Juan. This means that they have mastered running up and down stairs backwards, something that makes my head hurt! I can't do that so I occasionally find myself in Don Juan. Again, something useful to practice but it's usually better to have your head pointed the same direction as the camera.

Nick,

any chance of reposting your video? I would absolutely LOVE to see your developement on the Pilot.

It's disappeared forever in cyberworld. Will post more footage soon.

Found the original tape Michael, here you go: http://www.vimeo.com/814053

Hi Nick..

Good job for uploading some footage shot with the Pilot.. does anyone know of any other Pilot footage I could see on the web?

Here you can see a first test someone did with the Steadicam Pilot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqHV7TfduoU

Still searching for more... :)

Ok then, here is my first go with the Pilot in low mode (camera upside down)
http://www.vimeo.com/815091

Looking good as always Nick.

Make sure to include lots of extended holds in your practice footage (you may have done them and then cut them out for your posted video so if so, ignore this).

Also don't forget to include tilts in both directions which are more dicey than in high-mode--try starting with a person full-frame and then push in to a tight shot looking up at them, holding headroom is pretty tricky. This was a big move in the rap videos back in the 90's--I spent three nights doing this on a video that I just rediscovered on Youtube for the ever-popular New Kids on the Block (!) Then I brought that style to the infamous printer-stomping scene in "Office Space"...

I'm sorry to see it's not on Steadishots but the end titles of "After Hours" are one of the most amazing low-mode shots to date--worth a rental.

Thanks for the input Charles, hey low mode is real fun!

Haha, EVERYTHING's fun on a Pilot! Low-mode with a heavy camera/rig can be a real bear though, it can be downright uncomfortable due to the lower center of gravity and the way it pulls on the body. But it generally looks great!

Yeah, I remember the hardest thing I did at the workshop was a switch with a low mode cage set up....

Ugh--low mode cage and switch, bad combo!!

Definitely check out "After Hours", several switches in that that are just astonishing (Larry McConkey of course)

Hi Nick. Would it be possible to post a photo of u doing the low shot? I have always wondered how it is possible to control the camera upside down and walk.. let alone keeping it steady. Thanks a million!

Hi Sean, there are some pictures of the Pilot in low mode here: http://www.steadicam.com/images/cont...ual_112607.pdf

Interesting! Need to have a lot of faith in the device to let the cam go upside down!