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Getting older, making life easier
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“you try to tell the young people of today about that, and they won’t believe you”. Is the end line of this very funny video. But it’s true.
I have always loved Monty Python, and their smart ass humor. I try to emulate this in my smart ass posts on Creative Cow (often to the horror of many readers, that are truly insulted by my comments).
So as I watched this very very funny video, it showed a group of men who were successful, relating how they worked their way up from “licking the road with broken glass”, and “living in a shoe box with 150 other people”. While it was hysterically funny, there are many people, including me, that came from very financially poor backgrounds, and worked their way up (and continue to work hard) and perhaps that turns them into curmudgeons, but when you know that you can succeed if you work hard – even if you had to go thru the events described in this video – then you ultimately sit around smoking your cigar, eating caviar, while making fun of others.
Thanks for posting this.
bob Zelin -
No problem.
I love Python, and I particularly love this sketch for similar reasons to you.
As much as I can hear my Dad (and Grandads) in the sketch, I know it is true!
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Now this is what I’m talking about… the new C300PL finally arrived late Friday. Here is is dwarfed by the 24lb beast I usually wag around every day…
Of course it will get bigger when tricked out with the things it needs to be a day-to-day workhorse, but will still be a fraction of the size/weight I’m used to.
What little I was able to play with it this weekend, I’m inclined to already give it my “phenominal” label. What I’m most stunned with are its low-light capabilities, which are nothing short of amazing… so I think my days of lugging around HMI ballasts will be fewer, too (except interiors fighting windows, etc.). I think we’ll be moving primarily to LED lighting, which will eliminate carrying big stands and and miles of heavy stringers as well.
We’re workin’ on it….
T2
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Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
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26 pounds, eh? I feel for you, son. How soon we forget…
Of course, that’s without the 1K light, the lead-acid battery bandolier for the light, the “portable” Umatic recorder on a shoulder strap, in a porta-brace bag with extra nicad packs, and the tripod. I used to carry all of that to shoot ENG back in the day, the reason I have a permanent curve to the right in my spine…
You kids today, with your dinky little SLR’s…. pshaw.
….where’s my belt onion?
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Oh I recall those days all far far too well. Remember, a zillion years ago I actually pretended to be be a journalist and was a TV news guy. I had a sign on my desk that said “I’m not a journalist but I play on one TV,” until the news director made me take it down.
The massive amount of gear and weight was just unbearable.
Now, full disclosure would require me to admit that I was a reporter and did not have to shoot or lug gear myself… the photographers did that. But… I would have to see them do it (hard to avoid it), and it was pretty brutal. I’m just now getting over it.
T2
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Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com
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I got back into production in my late 40’s and took a hint from still photographers, lightweight, compact, folding, everything! I usually shoot alone and use 2 DSLR’s CFL’s in umbrellas or lightweight softboxes and a few LED lamps. All my gear is sized for the DSLR, no O’connor 100’s! or Crab Dollies for me. I started shooting with a Bosh/Fernse, then an Iki 79D, and a 1″ portable recorder, I think my entire lighting kit weighs less than that recorder.
All my cases roll or I have 2 hand trucks, I lift nothing I can roll and don’t work 10~24 hour days, ever. My longest “day” decades ago, was 36 hours, that was stupid, but at the time I didn’t know any better. Today, if I have a 4~6 hour “day” of production I’m done, as I generally work alone this makes sense for me, if I had a “crew” I might plan a longer shooting day if needed, but would make sure I’m lifting as little as possible during the day. You have to last physically or you are out of business. I also hike, cycle etc to stay in shape, and have a back-brace handy whenever I have to lift cases. Everything helps.
Good luck,
Malcolm
Malcolm
http://www.malcolmproductions.com -
This would nake a nice mobile arrangement.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/10/17/business/a-private-office-on-the-highway.xml?f=115
Steve
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While not yet a geezer I have changed a few things. No more red-eye flights home. Air travel in general takes a lot out of someone of any age. Early in my career I would go from the red-eye straight to the office and work all day. In your 40’s that’s not so easy.
As for gear, we try to rent things like light kits or even the whole shebang locally. Advantages aside from not carrying heavy cases are no baggage fees, no worry about baggage handlers breaking something and of course you can rent the latest camera if so inclined without having to keep buying gadgets. We have a small closet for current gear and a larger basement closet for old stuff. Anyone need a 1″ machine?!
This year we had productions shot on a C300, an F3 and various P2 cameras and recorded to KiPro and PIX 240, and we didn’t have to buy or maintain any of them. Clients hire us for our expertise, not our gear.
My two cents.
Mike C.
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[Mike Cohen] ” Anyone need a 1″ machine?!”
The library of congress. Seriously. They are seeking out all manner of machines so they can have access to their catalogues as the machines age. I’m going to donate my machines as we move them out of production.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media“This American Land” – our new PBS Series.
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