The aging bodies of DPs & videographers

cyvideo said:
+1. That back advice is paramount. Very, very important. I suffered a period in younger life, ignoring messages from my lower back. It's never been the same since. Every lift or odd movement I do these days is calculated with my back in mind. (y)

Chris Young
Click to expand...
sigh. In my Steadicam years I obviously had strong back muscles so never an issue there. It was only a few years after I moved on from it thatI had my first injury there, lifting heavy cases into the car with a rotation and extension. Ever since I have been doing what Chris says, calculating every lift and taking my time to do it right.
 
While on a Steadicam shoot, I pulled my back pulling the cases out the hotel's valuables lock up cage. The only time my back was comfortable that day was when I was wearing and operating the Steadicam.
 
I’m 52 and have had Long Covid for 1.5+ years. It causes extreme fatigue and shortness of breath. I really have to pace myself. Besides doing that I’ve been trying to shave weight off of my camera rig ounce by ounce. Herzog has a saying about athletics over aesthetics or something like that. Being physically fit is such an important part of this art…
 
QuickHitRecord said:
I've been in full-time video production for fifteen years, the last ten of which have been freelance. Gear has gotten lighter but I am not as spry as I used to be either. I'm definitely experiencing more post-shoot soreness than I did a few years back, especially on one-man-band shoots. Despite a touch of arthritis in my back, it's not a problem yet. But I can see the writing on the wall. I'll be 41 next week. Most people don't get to retire until their mid-60s. Even if I manage to make it that long without an injury or ailment, I don't believe for one second that I can stay remain competitive against the young bucks for another quarter century -- if video production is still even viable as a profession in 2050. I'm already feeling like a bit of a dinosaur at the local video and film networking events.

And yet other than saving aggressively so that I can be financially independent before I hit 60, I don't have a plan for that stage of my life. I used to tell myself that I'd need to be working on bigger and better stuff by that point. Projects with a budget for some extra hands. But at least in my segment, the trend seems to be heading in the opposite direction.

How are you all preparing for that last 5/10/15 years of work before retirement?
Click to expand...
You're 40? 🙄.

It's not the age That is aching you, It's most likely the nutrition and fitness factor.
QuickHitRecord said:
I've been in full-time video production for fifteen years, the last ten of which have been freelance. Gear has gotten lighter but I am not as spry as I used to be either. I'm definitely experiencing more post-shoot soreness than I did a few years back, especially on one-man-band shoots. Despite a touch of arthritis in my back, it's not a problem yet. But I can see the writing on the wall. I'll be 41 next week. Most people don't get to retire until their mid-60s. Even if I manage to make it that long without an injury or ailment, I don't believe for one second that I can stay remain competitive against the young bucks for another quarter century -- if video production is still even viable as a profession in 2050. I'm already feeling like a bit of a dinosaur at the local video and film networking events.

And yet other than saving aggressively so that I can be financially independent before I hit 60, I don't have a plan for that stage of my life. I used to tell myself that I'd need to be working on bigger and better stuff by that point. Projects with a budget for some extra hands. But at least in my segment, the trend seems to be heading in the opposite direction.

How are you all preparing for that last 5/10/15 years of work before retirement?
Click to expand...
To be 40 again.

My .02

Ditch grains, avoid seed oils like the plague, Don't eat processed chemical **** storms.

Eat animal, dairy, and fruit.

Stay fit. Lift (light) and stretch (yoga)

After a 30 days of this report back!
 
scorsesefan said:
I’m 52 and have had Long Covid for 1.5+ years. It causes extreme fatigue and shortness of breath. I really have to pace myself. Besides doing that I’ve been trying to shave weight off of my camera rig ounce by ounce. Herzog has a saying about athletics over aesthetics or something like that. Being physically fit is such an important part of this art…
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear about what happened. I've once dealt with swallowing issues for a month that fortunately haven't gotten serious. It felt like there was a bubble in my throat that I couldn't get rid of. I honestly at one point thought I was going to suffocate from my own saliva. Fortunately though it got over, and I was fine. I believe the reason from that was eatting too much fast food and unhealthy food and my body needed a break. I've had moments of getting very sick where I was painfully going through moments in the men's room. Being sick is not fun at all. At that extreme which is Covid I bet it was very painful. I apologize for not truly understanding it as I have not gone through it, but that does sound like a lot you went through. Thank goodness you're still here today.
 
Lower back - One of the most useful things I ever read on the internet went something like this:

People often give the advice 'lift with your legs' in order to take care of your lower back. The problem is, it's actually not very clear what this means. A more practical principle for lifting safely is 'When lifting heavy things, stick your arse out'.

If you're a man of my generation, It feels sort of... unmanly. Don't let ideas about masculinity give you back problems. Stick that arse out and really push into it, like you're stretching.
 
Last edited:
Zachadoodle said:
Sorry to hear about what happened. I've once dealt with swallowing issues for a month that fortunately haven't gotten serious. It felt like there was a bubble in my throat that I couldn't get rid of. I honestly at one point thought I was going to suffocate from my own saliva. Fortunately though it got over, and I was fine. I believe the reason from that was eatting too much fast food and unhealthy food and my body needed a break. I've had moments of getting very sick where I was painfully going through moments in the men's room. Being sick is not fun at all. At that extreme which is Covid I bet it was very painful. I apologize for not truly understanding it as I have not gone through it, but that does sound like a lot you went through. Thank goodness you're still here today.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the sympathy. If anything good has come out of this it's that I made a documentary about LC. Coming to streaming soon, but here's the trailer:
 
I've had lower back pain for a while - BUT - I'm sort of retirement age now so figured a few aches and pains are par for the course. I cannot stand fo9r more than about 15 mins, so some camera roles are clearly out. However, this pales into insignificance now.
I saw the advert on UK TV for a free prostate cancer test, so thought I'd have one. Any symptoms? No, I said. You don't need the test I was to9ld but I persevered. Thought nothing of it after I had the test, until my doctor phoned. I have it, and worse, have had it a while. Had all the treatment and while greatly reduced, it is still there. I have 5 to 10 years. My brain has adjusted so I don't have back pain any more. My point is that we all work to enjoy retirement. I'm still working, so I guess I really need to stop and go and have the holidays and do things self-employment always made difficult. I'm OK with all this - no wild panics or worries, it is what it is.
What I strongly shout about to all who will listen is that if you are 50+ and have never been tested, get it done and hopefully breath easy. It is crucial to know you will get your retirement when you are young enough to do something about it. I should retire immediately and go and lay on a beach, or buy that car I have always wanted - not spending my money on new kit all the time.

The stats for prostate seem not good, but early diagnosis means it's simple to treat. finding out too late as ,I have cuts options down drastically.

I repeat - I have NO prostate symptoms, and you'll have to cajole your doc to do the test, but you want to know now. It runs in the family and both my under 40 sons are clear. I was stunned to be told I had got it. Everybody gets a different version most easily treatable, mine is slow, but nasty - so it's going to come back. No more treatment for me as that is what makes you feel ill, and some of it damages you. There's a limit to what they can do as some just makes you 'iller' than better.

Early on the treatment is really quite simple and really effective. Get tested. Now! The new cameras I fancied are now crossed off. Damn annoying!
 
I'm sorry, Paul, I wish you well.

___

There is a lot I can write about this subject but there is just too much so I'll simply say this:

It's not for everyone, but for those that it is or ends up being, lifting weights and cardio (or some type of physical exertion) changes lives.

Not just for the strength or fat loss or aesthetically-pleasing results, but the addiction and spiritual connection one may develop improving the one body they have and becoming a better human machine is so profound that I think it deserves a place in the conversation for the meaning of life.
 
Sorry to hear Paul. I do a lot of medical legal work. Many feel because it's a slow growing type of cancer that more harm can be done trying to remove it. My dad has it but he's in his 80s and has treatments to reduce the size and he seems to doing fine for 5 years. But I understand it's scary stuff when you have time bomb inside and given an actual number of years you have left.

I don't know what to make of life, you spend most your time working and getting better at a profession then your supposed stop and enjoy yourself.
 
briandrys1 said:
It's well worth having a check up for prostate cancer. I know someone who died from it without initially showing any symptoms. "Family Guy" had an episode on the subject, but more detailed information on checks can be found here: https://prostatecanceruk.org/about-us/news-and-views/2024/06/barriers-to-diagnosis
Click to expand...
I'm going in for my annual in an hour. At 42 and with a family history of prostate cancer, I've been having my prostate checked for a few years now. It's not the most comfortable thing but it's quick and the peace of mind that it brings is worth the discomfort. Of course I also get a full blood panel done as well as stool and urine analysis. Fun times.

My back has taken the most abuse from this line of work. Every 6 months or so I get the nerves in my lower back (L3-L5) burned out as the arthritis in my lower back causes some pretty decent pain. The procedure is called "Radio Frequency Ablation" and it's a very quick and effective outpatient procedure. I don't think I'd be able to effectively do a lot of the work I do without this procedure. Core exercises are important for me but nothing beats not having the pain at all.
 
paulears said:
I've had lower back pain for a while - BUT - I'm sort of retirement age now so figured a few aches and pains are par for the course. I cannot stand fo9r more than about 15 mins, so some camera roles are clearly out. However, this pales into insignificance now.
I saw the advert on UK TV for a free prostate cancer test, so thought I'd have one. Any symptoms? No, I said. You don't need the test I was to9ld but I persevered. Thought nothing of it after I had the test, until my doctor phoned. I have it, and worse, have had it a while. Had all the treatment and while greatly reduced, it is still there. I have 5 to 10 years. My brain has adjusted so I don't have back pain any more. My point is that we all work to enjoy retirement. I'm still working, so I guess I really need to stop and go and have the holidays and do things self-employment always made difficult. I'm OK with all this - no wild panics or worries, it is what it is.
What I strongly shout about to all who will listen is that if you are 50+ and have never been tested, get it done and hopefully breath easy. It is crucial to know you will get your retirement when you are young enough to do something about it. I should retire immediately and go and lay on a beach, or buy that car I have always wanted - not spending my money on new kit all the time.

The stats for prostate seem not good, but early diagnosis means it's simple to treat. finding out too late as ,I have cuts options down drastically.

I repeat - I have NO prostate symptoms, and you'll have to cajole your doc to do the test, but you want to know now. It runs in the family and both my under 40 sons are clear. I was stunned to be told I had got it. Everybody gets a different version most easily treatable, mine is slow, but nasty - so it's going to come back. No more treatment for me as that is what makes you feel ill, and some of it damages you. There's a limit to what they can do as some just makes you 'iller' than better.

Early on the treatment is really quite simple and really effective. Get tested. Now! The new cameras I fancied are now crossed off. Damn annoying!
Click to expand...
Very sorry to hear that Paul. My Dad was diagnosed late with prostate cancer. He is still doing ok 4 years after (stage 4) diagnosis for whatever that's worth.
Everything comes too late or too soon. Hope you're doing ok.
 
The best advice I've heard from someone who's been in labor-intensive lines of work for decades is to maximize your downtime. Meaning whenever you are not in the act of doing something that requires physical exertion, relax your muscles. It sounds simple, but if you're waiting around and anxious about what you have to do next on a job, then you might be tensed up and not making the most of that recovery time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top