Mike Gendimenico

Aqua Tech just released their Nikon and Canon sound blimps, curious if anyone has tried them yet. Looks a lot smaller and easier to handle than a Jacobson and has a much wider variety of lens tubes. http://www.aquatech.net/sound-blimps.php Looks like B&H is stocking them, price appears to be the same as a Jacobson... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&Q=&sku=756100&is=REG&A=ShowProduct

I read Eliza's post about joining the union, but would like some clarification on the pay for qualifying gigs (BTW, great post Eliza). I'm a still photographer and have worked on a couple of feature docs and some shorts over the past few years, some low pay, some no pay, just to get experience. I had heard that you have to be paid at least $50 per day for the days to qualify, is that correct? Any idea what the union fee is to join as a Still Photog? Also, once in the union, what type of benefits (such as health insurance, etc) are available to local 600 folks? Lastly, if I were to get in as a still photog, can you perform multiple roles, ie camera operator, 2nd AD, etc (not on one film of course) or do you have to qualify all over again for that specific role? Thanks! Mike