New SteadiCam Flyer owner

[Marc Colemont]

Hi All,

After reading and reading the forums the last months (looks like I all know you guys now a bit) I decided to start looking for a Flyer for my HD100. I bumped into a second hand flyer last month (from who would that be :-). And I started learning learning...
I put it on every day to get used to it. Especialy my back muscles need attention.
My wife get's used to it now my flying around in the house 15 min a day. Must be a funny look. I used it last weekend the first time on a job were I had enough time to switch from Shoulder shooting to the Flyer rig and back.
I did some adjustments on my system by using a Leo Bebob plate. I timed that I can now rebuild (when the flyer is balanced and ready on the stand) between shoulder mount and on the Flyer within 2 minutes. Battery and DR-HD100 on the botton, HD100 with Leo Bebob, MatteBox, Shotgun Mic and Bebob Light on top. Beeing able to swap quickly is kind of important for my jobs for run and shoot environments of events.
It worked out fine. When I got fysically tired Flying last weekend, I switched back to Shoulder shooting without missing my shots, which was important.
The slow SteadiCam shots are not yet were I want them to be, the faster shots were better (feels a bit like using my JR before).
I'm now training to start walking without getting the tilts. More difficult then I thought it would be. When I see now good Steadicam shots on TV or the web, I take my hat off for you guys.

Cheers,

Greetings from Belgium,
Marc

[Erik Brul]

I don't know were you are talking about Marc:)

I'm glad you are doing well and the Flyer works out for you. I was not as happy because of the earlier mentioned problems.., but it seems all (almost) solved now. The problems i mentioned to you before selling the Rig to you re-appeared, so only a little bit extra money left, the big reason a Flyer was the only option for me. Or save for 2 years and buy a bigger Rig and don'f fly in the meantime.

So, keep practice.., and keep flying save !!

Fellow Flyer Op Erik

[Matt]

Hi marc,
The slower shots will come with time, just make sure you have all the right advantages.
Balance the rig properley and make sure the vest and socket position are perfect.
I remeber when I started with my flyer I almost slept in that vest :D
Enjoy
-matt

[Marc Colemont]

Thanks for the replies.
Hi Erik, when I read the other day that you bought a Flyer again, the first 10 minutes I was baffled and woried a bit. But I understand.

Yes about the vest... the short manual, included video don't say much about the ideal way of putting on the vest. On forums I don't read much either about it.
I experienced putting the vest on differently does stress your back muscles easily. The first week I couldn't put the flyer on for more then 10 minutes wondering WTF was going on. After putting the load more on my wast instead of the shoulders it went much better.
The best for me would be to take a Steadicam training, but the next available dates don't fit my schedule at the moment.
Any tips about this until I get the chance to join a training would be helpfull. My only worry is that if I use the vest in a wrong way every time I put it on, that I will end-up with back-trouble long term?

[Matt]

Hey Marc,
Sounds like a workshop would be golden for you.
The main thing about the vest is that it should be really tight fitting not louse or sagging.
The bottom of the vest should be resting on your hip bones or there abouts. Lower is more comfortable but at the expense of controll. With the flyer and a HD100 you shouldn't really be having any back pain if operating correctly. You should avoid any sort of bending from the waist forwards or backwards when operating as this will put strain on your back. Keep a straight back and you should be fine. The best thing you could do is post a little clip of you walking with the rig so we can give you pointers.
-matt

[svenjoukes]

Hey Marc,

Welcome to the forum. Whereabouts in Belgium are you? Maybe we can set something up for me to take a look at you operating the Flyer... I used to own one too. Mail me off forum, sven (dot) joukes (at) telenet (dot) be (you know what to do with the dots and the at)

Speak to you soon,

Sven
Antwerp, Belgium

[Marc Colemont]

Thanks guys for the help.
Sven 'You've got mail'.
When I had the chance to meet Sven and I do some more praktical excercise I will post a video Matt for you too look.