I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

S

skippyfetus

Carbonite Member
I finally got my Magiqcam Series II 8 weeks after ordering (it seems that that's the REAL wait for everybody). I put it on and walked around the house for about two hours on and off yesterday after spending a good hour on balancing. Now, I wondering if I fell down the steps yesterday and don't remember it. My back is thrashed!

I'm going to do one of two things:

a) Sell the ****er for more than Magiqcam sells them for with a 3 day delivery (instead of 60 day). The series II now goes for 2100 and the Low Dog goes for 200, so if I can find someone who wants one for 2500, then I might sell it.

b) Start working out every day. I really don't want to give up on this. This is my last chance to get steady moving shots. Right now, even with a bad, weak back this thing beats the hell out of any hand held stabilizer I've used. People talk about how awesome real Steadicams are... they might be a little easier to use, but I can't imagine that they'd be that much better than the Magiqcam.

For now, I think I'm going to go with "b" and try to get my back as strong as possible so I can actually wear this thing for a few hours a day without dying. The only thing I'm afraid of is that it might make my back go out again. About a year ago my back went out on me and I couldn't move for like a week.

I'll try to get some footage soon if anyone's interested. Does anyone want to host it?
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

Tony, working out is essential for using the steadicam systems. But the first day is always the worse, so don't give up man!
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

Tony--*nobody* is going to master any Steadi type rig in one day. It takes a lot of practice and effort. That's why steadicam operator is a profession--it requires some special skills. You do have to be prepared to work out, because it requires strength and endurance and it's going to tax some muscles that aren't used to heavy work. I think you have to give yourself 2-3 months of practice to achieve some level of comfort and mastery. I've used an actual Steadicam rig and felt like I was worked over by the mob the next day. So I think it's just the nature of the beast. I've got some extra server space while I design my site, so let me know if you'd like me to host some short clips.
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

You guys are right. I'm going to stick with it. I'm turning into a weak willed little pussy these days ;) I'll report back when I've got some good footage to post.
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

[quote author=Tony Hall link=board=Links;num=1095586032;start=0#3 date=09/20/04 at 00:41:49]You guys are right. I'm going to stick with it. I'm turning into a weak willed little pussy these days ;) I'll report back when I've got some good footage to post.[/quote]

Just a bit of non-macho chatter from an opposite corner, Tony.

I've seen Steadicam ops with all sorts of problems -- backs, arms, wrists, necks, hips, shoulders -- that kept going just so they didn't look gay.

I say, **** it. Bro, get yourself into a competent doctor and get yourself looked at before you start on the weights.

In the last few years, ALL the film craft unions have started taking this very seriously. Check out the websites catering to Camera Ops and Assistants if you don't believe me.
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

Hey Helmet thanks for the rational advice. I really do want smooth moving shots, so I am going to give it an effort. I'm going to start working my back out and practicing with it. If I find that my back can't handle it, then I'll sell it.

Being able to use this thing is important to me, so I don't want to give up before I even get started. I'll just see how it goes.
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

Should you be foolish enough to follow our friend Helmuts way of thinking, nothing is "safe".

The "trick" to operating steadicam's is to keep yourself in "decent" shape, but take very good care of your back.

Helmut seems to believe every steadicam rig has a 35mm film camera balanced on a Mark III.

The MPAA and other unions regard steadicam operators exactly the same as all trades, the operator is expected to be fit to safely operate the equipment, and all operators (union) follow specific training and excersize requirements.

I've been a steadicam operator for 15 years, and while it can be hard on your back at first, so is golf.
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

[quote author=pookie link=board=Links;num=1095586032;start=0#6 date=09/21/04 at 14:13:01]Should you be foolish enough to follow our friend Helmuts way of thinking, nothing is "safe".

The "trick" to operating steadicam's is to keep yourself in "decent" shape, but take very good care of your back.

Helmut seems to believe every steadicam rig has a 35mm film camera balanced on a Mark III.

The MPAA and other unions regard steadicam operators exactly the same as all trades, the operator is expected to be fit to safely operate the equipment, and all operators (union) follow specific training and excersize requirements.

I've been a steadicam operator for 15 years, and while it can be hard on your back at first, so is golf.[/quote]

The MPAA?... who the hell are you?

Let's have your real name, your guild affiliation, and a few films you've worked on as a Steadicam op for those 15 years.

If you were legit, you'd be telling the guy to have his back checked out before he goes further, and not spouting forth with the macho crud.
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

You should know who the "MPAA" are, if you were legit, Helmut.

Your tone seems to imply some deeper trouble than Tony's questions, perhap's were you to calm down, you could supply your credentials, rather than trying to dissuade Tony away from using his Magiqcam.

I sense the anger of a failed operator (perhaps) speaking.
 
Re: I'm thinking about selling my Magiqcam

[quote author=pookie link=board=Links;num=1095586032;start=0#8 date=09/21/04 at 16:04:03]You should know who the "MPAA" are, if you were legit, Helmut.

Your tone seems to imply some deeper trouble than Tony's questions, perhap's were you to calm down, you could supply your credentials, rather than trying to dissuade Tony away from using his Magiqcam.

I sense the anger of a failed operator (perhaps) speaking.[/quote]

Normally, I wouldn't even take this further; your abusiveness speaks for itself.

This is a supposed to be forum for reasonable discussion.  Tony presented his situation and received divergent opinion.  What he does with it is up to him.

My concern is that people -- especially those just getting started in professional film production  -- might read this and get the wrong idea.  

Sure, the business isn't for sissies, but neither is it for foolish lugheads who don't take precautions or respect the common safety of their co-workers.

I've not worked in the States, only in Canada and Europe, as a writer, director and producer.   But I have worked with camera ops from all over, and none of them -- none of the good ones -- were ever as cavalier about their health and livelihood as you pretend to be.
 
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