2008Steadi-Newbies forum
Becoming a steadicam operator with minimal training before landing a commercial job
18 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Reading books and watching steadicam footage provides theoretical understanding but cannot substitute for hands-on practice time with the actual rig.
- A beginner should clearly communicate their inexperience and skill limitations to producers and directors before accepting work.
- Starting with simple shots like straight lines and gentle curves rather than complex movements helps build confidence and skills.
- Practicing with a steadicam rig at home is difficult because assembly and disassembly take significant time, limiting practice frequency.
- Early commercial work can provide valuable experience and visible skill improvement over short timeframes if the production is willing to work within the operator's current abilities.
- Productions should be expected to pay for steadicam operator work; offering services for free removes negotiating power and may undervalue the work.
Depends on
- The advice comes from operators with only a few months of rig experience themselves, not extensively trained professionals.
- The film production described had a budget of approximately half a million but specific payment details for the operator were not disclosed.
- One participant's experience involved a 35mm adapter that made them valuable beyond steadicam work, which may not apply to all situations.
- The discussion does not address equipment costs or whether practicing without owning a rig is feasible.