2020Steadi-Newbies forum
Advice for new Steadicam operators starting their career
Note (as of October 2026)Curt O. Schaller, the developer of Artemis and Trinity, has no longer been with ARRI since the end of 2025. To our knowledge, ARRI currently has no dedicated team and no official contact persons for its stabilizer systems. In our view, the future of this line is uncertain. If you are buying new, get written confirmation from ARRI beforehand on how long service and spare parts are guaranteed. Have used rigs checked by the manufacturer before you buy.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- New operators should expect to charge less than experienced operators while building their portfolio, but should communicate this clearly to productions to manage expectations.
- Reputation in the Steadicam community spreads quickly, so taking on only jobs you are ready for is important for long-term career prospects.
- Training from multiple instructors through workshops helps develop diverse techniques and a personal operating style.
- The Steadicam community provides valuable networking opportunities for work referrals and equipment advice.
- Trying different equipment configurations before purchasing helps ensure you select gear that matches your stabilization needs and preferences.
- Reading the Steadicam handbook is recommended preparation for new operators.
- Building a complete rig with quality components, while expensive initially, proves more cost-effective than replacing poorly chosen gear later.
Depends on
- The thread mixes viewpoints on whether networking within training classes translates to actual work opportunities.
- One participant's statement that instructor quality doesn't matter was disputed by others, leaving the question unresolved.
- Specific advice about pricing and market conditions reflects primarily Los Angeles-based experience in 2020-2021.
- No consensus on whether private instruction or workshop training is more valuable for career development.
Gear in this thread
Same gear or parts
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