"Indurberator" is what a DP I worked for many years ago called the "RO" or "rotating offset." This piece of equipment which we all take for granted goes a long way in saving our butts in a lot of situations. If you are against a wall and need that extra six inches to the left, just loosen a knob, or flip a lever if you're a Fisher guy, and BAM!, problem solved. It's really an ingenious idea that most of us never really think about. You just automatically factor it in when laying track or a floor and don't often even realize the stream of consciousness reference to it: "Ok, if I offset the RO to the right, I can set the track a little more to the left and get around that corner and still hit the number two mark. Now, where'd I leave my tape measure?" I usually set it at about 45 degrees to the right on the inside if I'm on the big dolly and the same on the Peewee, only to the outside, to keep the operator more centered over the dolly. I have, over the last few shows, however, had some camera operators complain about the Chapman ROs'. You know, the new style (not really so new anymore, just the "newest") Hustler 4 and Peewee ROs' with the center knob and the pin under the levelling head. I'll admit, they are a pain, and light years harder to deal with than simply flipping the lever on a Fisher RO. I've turned quite a few operators on to Chapman dollies in the past few years, but this is the one sticking point: they don't like the RO. I was at Chapman today loading in a show and spoke with an engineer about it (Leonard and Christine weren't there) and told him what I needed. He scratched his chin for a minute and said, "We'll take care of it for you." That's what I call service. So hopefully, we'll soon see a different option for the Hustler and Peewee in the Indurberator department. I'll keep you posted.
Dear Paul Maibaum, is it strange that I still remember this word after 15 years? You've coined a term!
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17 comments:
What about Chapman's newer RO? I've always preferred Fisher's and since the last couple shows have not had geared heads, I've taken the risers out and lowered the profile.
The crews I've been working with all ways order the older PW II style leveling for the PeeWee - wrench in hand. I'm seeing the benefits of the newer tool free option, but alot of people forget the safety pin below and fight it...
"Indurberator" - "Schwing the Schwang".
Or: the verb "To RO". "I RO'ed back and bought another six inches".
Yeah the wrench version is almost easier. I can't tell you how many times I've had to loosen all the levellers to get the knob loose or the pin sticks. I had gotten used to the newer one and hadn't thought about it much until a couple of operators told me they loved the dolly except for the RO. They design of the new heads, with the built in RO precludes just throwing on a Fisher RO like the old days.
Nice one.
I often keep the lower profile RO on and the last movie had a low profile with a fisher RO on top, but it kills your height. I told them they need to design a new one. I'm tired of changing out for gears, to fluid blah blah blah etc. But I'm lazy.
I do love how "RO" has also become a verb though. "RO to the right!"
I prefer the Fisher style as well. I like using the hybrid with the fisher style RO. I am in Berlin right now with a PeeWee4 as my 'A' Dolly, and it can get you out of some tight spots, but it can get pretty wobbly with any kind of offset. I feel the older Peewees (model 2) were more stable (maybe I'm wrong).
I think you are right Sanjay. The 4 (and 3) with the drop down heads have more moving parts and are just a little shakier as opposed to the old 2s with the plate that screwed on. It's never really caused any problems for me that I can remember, though.
The drop down is great to have though. Very clever piece of engineering.
You are right, Sanjay. This drop down nose has saved me a lot of headaches over the years since it's introduction. I think the pros far outweigh the cons.
middle mode is quite useful it gets you almost as high and quite low.did an over the bed shot straight down with a ubangi (sorry)on a 35 lens and got a nice 2shot.when one actor sat up i was able to crane down and look up to him .couldnt do that in reular or low mode
The RO is a crucial part of the dolly. More than anything it helps with getting into that tight corner where otherwise you'd be screwed. I'd love to see what Chapman comes up with for you as far as duplicating the Fisher style. I don't mind anything about the RO on either dolly except the fact that every time you adjust either one, you have to re-level the camera. Seems like that would be an easy thing to fix as far as the rigidity goes, but what do I know?
I'd really like to see Chapman's "Ultra Low Swing Head" # 1290. Ask for it by name at your next load out.
Not a dolly grip by any stretch of the imagination, but why wouldn't a Ubangi work just as well
Ubangis, or "camera offsets" to use the politically correct term, are for longer reaches. An offset will work fine, but the "ro" is standard with the dolly, it comes with it and includes the levellers, which you have to have. It also allows the use of the geared head, which wouldn't work with just a ubangi because the wheels hit the plate. Thanks for the comment though, you're thinking!
Thanks for the education. Yeah, I know the "U" term isn't P.C. anymore. Neither is asking for a Gary Coleman.
This post, and the reference below on how to attach the low mode on a Peewee 3, remind me of something I learned whilst trainee'ing last year, that might be useful to other young'uns or anyone who dislikes Chapman's newer, rickety, "Starship Enterprise" low-mode.
"Oh, I never use that." said the dolly grip. "Leave it in the truck. You just drop the nose down, bolt a short tongue (ubangi to you chaps?) on top, and flip the whole nose upside down (by undoing the lower pin). Simples."
And so it was.
- Ed
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