Gunnar Mortensen

I can make you one but it would be kind of pricey. You would however never have to buy another one

Just thought that I would put it out there that I am launching Gunnar LeatherWorks and have a line of top grain Buffalo Cases for the D5, PD32, PD42, iPad, Preston and cmotion straps. These come in 3 finishes black, brown or distressed. They are all lined to protect your display, and have snaps on the back to add or remove from your belt. They come with a lifetime warranty. Similar meter cases are selling at expendable stores for over $200. I am selling the Disto and Hilti cases $75, iPad $100 and Wireless FF strap for $50. Made in America here is a picture http://db.tt/VqWZjtQ let me know if you interested. Best, E Gunnar Mortensen Focus Puller

I have used the cfinder and I like it a lot. It is more similar to a sniper than a light ranger (in size) I find it more precise than my cine tape which measures a plane compared to a point. One drawback is that it is not self sufficient, meaning it is made to be used as an accessory to the cmotion system requiring the cdisplay II. You can talk to Sebastian at Camadeus here in LA if you want to try out the system, tell him Gunnar sent you. Best, E Gunnar Mortensen Focus Puller City of Angels

My philosophy has been simpler is best. The video screen on the d5 is nifty but just another thing to break. The optical sight on the 42 is a mirror and works fine for me for years in bright sunlight. Whatever way you choose to go make sure that you have it protected in a proper case like one of these http://db.tt/VqWZjtQ I just happen to know the assistant that makes them out of buffalo. Best, E Gunnar Mortensen SoFT Focus Puller LA CA

The first batch of leather cases are in for the Hilti PD40 and PD42. They are all made out of Premium Top Grain leather including Latigo and Buffalo. All have a protective liner, snap enclosure and belt loop. These are all built to order and can be modified to your specifications. The price is $75 with a lifetime warranty. http://www.flickr.com/photos/39267183@N05/4371195796/ Best, E Gunnar Mortensen S.o.F.T. LA Focus Puller

So I am talking with a leathersmith about making a leather Case for my Hilti. What are the requirements that you would like to see? I was planning on having a molded black leather case that fits on a 2in belt. I wanted it to be held in place without a flap for a quickdraw effect. Let me know if I am on the right track and we can do a group buy. See you in the Trenches, E Gunnar Mortensen S.o.F.T. LA FOCUS puller

Don't waste your time just rip the band aid off and buy the hilti pd42. it costs more but always go with the best so you only have to buy it once. Cheaper than my $6,500 cinetape. Best, Gunnar Mortensen

Also check Paramedic Equipment and Police Supply usually at Army Surplus. Their equipment is the industrial Strength. I am slimming my weight that I carry and getting it all made out of leather. Especially for my Hilti. Gunnar Mortensen Focus Puller

1'' is where it is at. Can get a ptouch for a little bit more and have a nice looking slate with industry sized letters. Slates and 1'' letters go together like peanut butter and jelly

media.panavision.com

A Focus Pullers job is very similiar in 2D or 3D. Don't get it twisted with the Stereotographer who sets the convergence and 3D effects. The most important task in 3D for a 1st AC is to make sure that the Shutters are inline and you pull focus on both lenses remotely on a Preston or Cmotion.

Rabone 50' with the guts updated since it did stretch after 10ft. a 25ft fatmax extreme but I won't use it over 12' and my favorite is the Hilti 42 Disto. I use the fatmax tons and then the Disto. If I want to run my 2nd around I'll use my Rabone or if I am dealing with actors that don't like lasers in their eyes :-)

here are the goods http://media.panavision.com/

Production does pay for it through a kit or box rental. $50 is nothing for a Ptouch compared to what it does (Slate, Filter Tags, Labeling your Kit) a Macbeth chart just sits there and it is $80. I use 10-20% of my paycheck to buy more stuff for my ever expanding kit. That way my box rental goes up next time I go out too. I am starting to get $50 a day for my AKS without my cart or sticks. You also look better organized and professional. If your complaining on the price of a Ptouch wait til you are thinking about buying an Oconner 2575 Head ($8,000) or Filter Set ($12,00) or Preston($20,00). These all add up, but a friend of mine that goes out gets $650 a day for him and $700 for his gear; which all payed off has now doubled his day rate.

Don't waste your time just get a P-touch from staples and 1in black on clear tape. Have production pay for it.

So I was 1sting on this children's mythology film with a witch (bit of a backstory) which meant a bunch of fog. Each of the children kept asking for more fog because it smelled so good. One child even said it smelt like pine cones. Kind of cute I know. I put in my time and went home to my girl And a dram of scotch. We are sitting on the couch and she starts smelling my hair, she is also enamored with the smell. "you smell good, like honey and flax seed" I felt like I was in an herbal essance commercial. Not really about pulling focus but who else in the world would find this funny besides me. Thank you Rosco.

I have been working on this show for the history channel and it is all green screen. I have been using my analog inclinometer but another AC told me to get a digital one for more precision. I am all about having the right tool for the job but don't need to spend money unnecessarily . Do you find using one saves time a warrents the price tag? If so what brands are most common I was looking at thishttp://www.contractorstools.com/checkpoint_digital_levels.html but cannot find out any info or warrenty about it. e gunnar

I cant speak for the leica but I just bought the Hilti PD42 for this feature that I did and spent the extra money to get the scope. Having that option saved me multiple times in day exteriors, without it I would have lost 20% of the shots that I bought it for. Dont trip over dollars to save pennies as they say. e gunnar

When I shot a music video in the desert. we covered all the bits of the camera in a trash bag, tore holes for the lens and eyepiece, taped it all up with an optical flat in the front of the lens. We were shooting in a sand storm and it was pretty bad but the camera stayed relatively clean. I think there was only one spot on the neg. Note use a white or clear bag as not to draw as much heat. On your focus disc put all the lens marks on one side and your focus on the other so you can always have a reference.

Depending on the project and the budget I charge $350-500 for 1sting. That also changes for 10 or 12 depending on feature or commercial. On more of the smaller budget stuff the 12 hour day is becoming more prevalent. I usually charge 50 or 75 less than my rate for my 2nd. You then can tack on your kit rental, for a bump in rate. A friend of mine makes 650 a day for 1sting and another 650 in kit rental. If you get paid like a whore you get treated like a whore.

This probably won't help you on your search for special scissors but I just got the perfect pair. However I went to Ross Cutlery in LA, the same store that OJ bought his knife. I had them sharpen my straight razor and ended up picking up a pair of vintage, german electricians scissors that are slightly perferated to keep wires or film from sliding. On top of that they ground the tips to completely rounded ends to make them bag friendly. They may not find perfs in the dark but I have gotten pretty good at doing that. Like I stated earlier this won't help you unless you like cool scissors and honestly I just wanted to tell somebody that cared. Try to explain your excitement to to non production people and all I get is blank stares.

-I read constantly, -adventure shop at ethnic grocery stores, -get lost in different cities or different parts of LA -Take road trips in my 1967 Volvo 1800s -Ride Vespas -yoga (good for balancing from schlepping gear) -Ride a single speed bike 25-50m a week (no coasting) -eat at unique ethnic/cheap restaurants -Go to the Movies as much as possible -Drink and find a variety of teas from around the world -Single malt scotch -Buy Vinyl -F&AM

these seem to be lurking around somewhere and I would like one to double check myself. I am getting better about pulling focus but a quick look over on a prayer wheel would build confidence. I found a MK2 but would like the latest, if anyone has one they don't need PM me. thanks, E Gunnar Mortensen

they used different tactics. The WGA hard line approach enabled the DGA to get more out of their informal meetings. Now the WGA just entered into informal talks, using the DGA's casual approach. Round and round it goes when will we get back to work nobody knows.

There was another thread recently about this book. I guess it delves a bit too much into the "zen" aspect of AC'ing. Giving hints on what to eat on set and stuff like that. I read the threads a lot and did a search on both the title and author but didn't come up with too much info on the subject. Send me the link if I am beating a horse to death. Also if someone has a copy they can part with I would love to snag one up.