We've been getting our asses handed to us for a couple of days so the posts have been a little few and far between. I've added some new pictures from the last couple of days work so you can see what we've been up to. Cranes, water, insert cars, and 9 hour turnarounds are pretty much the routine we've fallen into. It's cold up here too. Especially on the ocean trying to muscle a Phoenix crane around on a boat at high speed. Anyway, I'm tired and turning in. By the way, one of my hard track wheels fell apart (the bearings fell out as I was changing tires around) and one of my pneumatics has a leak. The hits just keep on coming. I'll catch up with everyone when I get a chance.
Later,
D
finally you guys took some pics of some rigs. i've been gettin' on to the bosses for awhile about that. i wish i could see the techno on a boat in person. keep hittin' HHAAARRRRD! miss you guys lots
ReplyDeleteI have been operating Egripments version of the Techno (T12 Extreme) for the last 8 days, and it is a real pain in the ass. It never seems to achieve proper dynamic balance, and is plagued with electronics problems. I like to operate telescope and arm myself, and the controls on the T12 make it almost impossible. Has anyone used this crane? By the way, can I send in pictures as well?
ReplyDeletei'm sorry .i don't know what dynamic balance means.
ReplyDeletei have used the techno since it first arrived in the mid nineties until just this last week on the movie bird.
when they work it is magic and when they don't it is embarassing.
i would never attempt operating the arm and telescope at the same time.
the crane comes with an operator for a reason.let him do his job
Dynamic balance is inching the arm backward and forward on the yoke to achieve balance of the arm in the position where the weight carriage is directly above the yoke. I operate the crane because I have been operating cranes for 17 years, and I find it more organic to operate the track (telescope) and arm as one. Pretty much like tracking the dolly and jibbing up in a compound move.
ReplyDeleteSome guys like to do both themselves and are very good at it. On features, I generally do arm and the Key does the pickle, although I have done both at once. On commercials, I'm not as protective of my moves so generally let the tech do it if he's one of those guys.
ReplyDeleteGripworks, of course you may send pictures. I'll be happy to get them.
ReplyDeleteno offence guys but i think to do the pickle you have to have a sideways approach to judge the distance,like the focus puller with a preston.
ReplyDeletei find you always need two hands to do the crane move how do you do both.
Chris, I know it's hard to believe, but I've seen it done many times. With enough practice, you can get pretty amazing at the thing. Bogdan from Cinemoves, or Rick Kangrgra are both guys who do both with precision.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I don't know what dynamic balance means either (except in reference to Steadicam
ReplyDeleteOn the T12 Extreme, you dynamically balance the arm based on the camera and remote head payload before you add the weight to the weight carriage. What it involves basically is inching the entire arm back or forth on the pivot yoke to achieve equilibrium in the position where the weight carriage is at the pivot point (neutral position)
ReplyDeleteOhhh, now I understand. Thanks for the clarification.
ReplyDeleteFor the last 12 years or so I have been specifically asked by DP's when I am contracted to do a movie as Key Grip that they want me to operate any Crane that is used on the movie. They also want me to operate dolly if that camera is being operated by the DP and not a Camera operator. It is not that I like putting crane operators out of work, it is just that since the DP finds it easy to explain specifically what he wants to me, and I operate, it works more seamlessly. If I was working in America, I am sure I would not need to since you have great operators there, but in Europe (excluding the UK) and Africa and Asia there are not that many great operators. So often I get the job because they want me to operate.
ReplyDeleteYikes! Get some sleep. Maybe that's your aggravation quota for this shoot.
ReplyDelete