Steadicam work in student films

M

mikezip007

Active member
Wasn't sure where to put this, feel free to move if placed incorrectly.

Small bit of background: I am 24, I have a bachelor's in film (graduated 1 year ago), I've been working as a cam op/ AC since graduation, attended the lake arrowhead workshop in the spring to fuel my steadicam interest and it caught fire. I know a local DP who will rent their Steadicam SK and all supporting equipment to me when I need it.

Last week I made a bunch of cold calls to the local universities stating who I was and that I am interested in working on student films as a way for me to get my on-set steadicam experience up as well and benefiting the students because they get the steadicam look in their films and get to learn to work with day players and budget for their services. Most of the department heads were interested and I've booked times to meet with them next week.

I was wondering, what are some key points for me to hit while speaking with them about this deal? I do not wish to make any sort of money on this, I just want the practice and get to a reel going. The one thing I would like to try and get is the cost of the rig's rental covered covered. I can rent the rig for only a couple hundred dollars a day, but I would like to try and get this cost paid for through either the students' films' budget or from somewhere else.

What tips can you all provide me for these meetings?
 
I would start by talking about the mutual benefit of having such a service at their disposal and you would provide your service for free. At the end of your 60 second presentation just add that you would require for them to cover your hard costs (rental) which would be priced well below market rates. Also explain to them the effectiveness of having a steadicam on set to promote their school and how extensive their curriculum is.

You can also negotiate with the rig owner to do work for him in order to get lo cost rental or deferred pay for the rental of the steadicam.

On another note (as you probably already know) steadicam is not something you can learn if you do not own or have a rig at your disposal all the time. Since you did the Arrowhead I am guessing your instructor either Jerry or Peter (or both) and they would have told you to practice practice practice and then practice practice practice so more. See if you can work with the rig owner to get more hands on with his gear to repeat the exercises they showed you at the class.

On set with the student films make sure you take the time to explain the requirements and limitations of the rigs so they dont see you just as a dolly that bleeds. Work with them on shot design and voice your opinions (god knows when you turn pro nobody will listen anyway:happy:)

It's only the first 20 years thats hard, the rest is all downhill from there.

PS: The advice they gave you over at the steadicam forum is very valid and important.
Good Luck.
 
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thanks a bunch! I'm trying to get as many thoughts on the matter, hence why I posted the question in so many places! The first meeting is today!
 
Well, just got done with my first meeting today and the outcome was less than favorable. To start things off, I clearly outlined my experience in steadicam, my intentions with working on student films, and sited my website to give people a sense of where I'm coming from.

When I got to the meeting the first thing the professor did was eye me over, glance at my resume, look at me again, and say, "well, you're kinda young, dont-cha think?" From them on he explained how he usually hires owner operators that are fairly well seasoned to work on the student's films. He didn't like that I rent gear from an owner/ operator and that I have doing most of my bigger work as an AC and not a cam op.

He said he's keep my resume and contact info on file for smaller jobs.

Oh well I suppose, I've got a steadicam assist job tomorrow with the owner/ operator I rent from and then another meeting with a film professor on Wednesday.
 
mikezip007 said:
When I got to the meeting the first thing the professor did was eye me over, glance at my resume, look at me again, and say, "well, you're kinda young, dont-cha think?" From them on he explained how he usually hires owner operators that are fairly well seasoned to work on the student's films. He didn't like that I rent gear from an owner/ operator and that I have doing most of my bigger work as an AC and not a cam op.
Click to expand...

Mike, I don't really like to post negative comments or use bad language but you can tell him to shovel it and tell him it's from me.

PS: Sorry, I just dont like anybody being disrespected like that. Forget him and move on, there will be other opportunities.
 
emretufekci said:
Mike, I don't really like to post negative comments or use bad language but you can tell him to shovel it and tell him it's from me.

PS: Sorry, I just dont like anybody being disrespected like that. Forget him and move on, there will be other opportunities.
Click to expand...

I agree with emretufekci whole-heartedly, sorry you were treated that way. Mike, I applaud your self motivation to look for practice, and I think it's unfortunate that the first professor you met up with acted that way. I wish you luck with the next few meetings.
 
Well...steadicam does take a *lot* of practice, as has been pointed out (and I own one). I'd be a bit skeptical about hiring someone who doesn't have much experience too.

Maybe you could work something out with the owner you're renting from where you could borrow it on downtimes so you could get in some practice and shoot some demos of your work. If you could demonstrate that you have enough skill, you'd stand a far better chance of getting hired even though it's only for the cost of the rental. When you did, everyone would win: you (experience), professor/student film (cool shots), owner (rental fees).

But ya gotta get in the off-the-set practice hours. There's no substitute for that...
 
I have been doing recurrent Steadicam demos and one day hands-on demos each semester at a few universities and film schools for going on four years now; not to get work on film school projects but to teach the students how to work with a Steadicam operator, what to expect to pay a beginner and what to expect to pay a pro. I give them a chance to fly a few smaller rigs and also my full-sized rig with all the accessories like follow focus and wireless transmitters etc..

Your experience in this instance certainly isn't the norm at least in my dealings with schools. If you were treated poorly there is no excuse for that but if you "sold" yourself as an operator and you don't even own your own rig I could see where perceptional concerns might arise as to your qualification to present.

Age shouldn't be but can be a determining factor during that "first impression", the same goes for how you present and carry yourself, your business card and even down to what you are wearing. I started my career and production company at the age of 19 and had to make sure that every link in the chain when meeting people said he's young but articulate, professional and knowledgeable. When you're young you have to be 120% in every other area or you'll be on the wrong side of the curve immediately trying to establish credibility.

Most importantly you tried and if anything that is another notch of experience in your belt and something to learn from. Ask and answer this:

What happened?
Why did it happen?
What can you do to make sure it never happens again?

Do the professional thing and call the instructor to ask what you can do better next time. He/she may be honest or they may candy coat it but you should always follow up AND send a thank you note.

If you're going to continue to do this you should also consider creating a very simple one-page Evaluation Form for the students to find out what their perception was. I have a little white paper call "The Twenty Questions You Must Answer To Succeed In Our Profession" which they get only if they and when they turn in the evaluation form.

Good luck!

Robert Starling, SOC
Steadicam Owner / Operator
 
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