Matt Garland @ Portabrace

Cassavetes on Cassavetes

Hey everyone, We have been hearing a lot of people are starting to use the IPAD on set, for quick references to storyboards, scripts, email and even video taps. Its been suggested to have a case that could house an IPAD that could be worn hands free around your neck for easy access and use of the ipad. I was wondering if anyone had any insight about on set practical uses for the IPAD and what people are using them for within film production. We took a stab a creating a case for this type of use for directors and here is what we've came up with so far: Built in glare visor Sorry about our wooden model but you can see the attachment points in this shot, alont with the adjustable straps. Configuration for wearing around your neck for hands free usage. I'll post a shot of it actually on somebody soon Slip pocket for small items. Belt Loop attachment/external attachment points. If anyone has any suggestions for the case or critiques that would be much appreciated :D I will pass your suggestions/information along to Scott the designer of this case and keep you posted as we move along with this case. Thanks for any insight help you can provide! -Matt

Did you try tamberelli? http://www2.tamberelli.com/ I know its not in NYC, but Boston Camera might let you come in and do a fake prep with the camera.

No joke but I don't come up with the prices, I will say this though thats the MSRP and the once they go up on our dealers websites and stores they will be cheaper. How much cheaper I'm unsure of.

Alright so the AC pouch is done :) and its up on our website and should be available from our online dealers shortly. Here are some of the features: Available in Blue or Black, with a belt or a shoulder strap. 14 Various Pockets for tools and accessories. Built in strip light with blink and constant modes, can be flipped up outside of the case. Loop(soft side velcro) along the top of the bag for attaching filter tags. 3 Small pockets in the lid for CF cards or other small items. Deployable Divider. Comes with carabiner tape leash. Pouch can be attatched without removing your belt. The belt version comes equipped with 4 positionable "D" rings. Fully Loaded, accessories obviously not included. Keep in mind you don't have to stuff it full with half of your ditty bag, but you've got the option. :P Interior Light B) 3 Slip pockets for dry erase, 1 closed top pocket for a tape measure, 2 medium sized pockets for screw drivers or mini mag light, 2 larger pockets for leather man, utility knife or anything else you might have! Shoulder Strap Version. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on this I think it was beneficial to our design team! If you have any questions about this pouch or our other cases feel free to contact me. :)

They weren't ready to order a high quantity of magnets yet to get a good deal on them because they need to make sure they can actually get orders for the case before they add something like a magnet which will create higher production costs. I don't have a whole lot of say in the decisions I can only give my suggestions based off my experience and suggestions through this thread, sometimes they take them, sometimes they don't. :blink: They bag is pretty much ready for production I just need to confirm a few things before I get the photos up on the web. Gotta make sure design, and marketing are on the same page so things aren't shipped incorrectly. Its looking like there will be a few options to buy it with a belt or with a shoulder strap.

Sorry for the delay it took a little longer than expected to get the next version up. We added a few things and still have some kinks to work out. As you can see this version has a buckle instead of a magnet :blink: The buckle is going to have to be removed because its too difficult to resnap it if your in a hurry, which is why the magnet would have been the best option, I'm super bummed the higher ups won't take the magnet route. But it is possible to add your own magnet. ;) We added a slip pocket onto the inside of the exterior flap. You could drop a magnet in here and secure it with some gaffers tape and then drop the opposite charged magnet into the middle exterior pocket and create your own magnet locking pouch(I'm totally doing this for mine). We added 3 small pockets into the lid that can hold CF cards or other small items. We also added some loop for sticking filter tags onto. The large sized zipper will be also be downsized, we think this size zipper is a little overkill. New tape measure holder with a closed top so the tape doesn't fly out. Its large enough to hold a 60ft. hard tape measure. Here's the included belt that comes with a "D" ring for attaching a tape leash. Should be available early next week, assuming we don't encounter any problems. Any thoughts on this one?

I feel like I would also keep mine unzipped all the time to work out of and then just zip it up at the end of the day, if we do a smaller version it probably won't have a zipper. We did a prototype with a magnet and during the design meeting yesterday it was decided to go with a small plastic buckle(out of my control, decision came from a cost/business standpoint :huh: ). The buckle is silent when unclipping and and should hold up better than the magnet when its being transported around after use. There are two "D" rings on the sides of the pouch where a carabiner/tape leash can be attatched if you so wish. Also my understanding is that the pouch will be sold with a belt that has four removable/positionable "D" rings on the belt itself so you could put your tape leash on the opposite side of your belt. The pouch can be removed from the belt and attatched to a different belt if you have another personal preference. The elastic slip pocket for the canned air is not removable, but you could use it to store other various things like a tape measure, blower ect. or you can always leave it empty and only store your canned air for shoots that require it often like if your shooting somewhere that has a lot of dirt/dust blowing around. I'm not sure on prices, I have no pull or input on what they will decide on for a price. They want the pouch wrapped up this week so we should have it posted on our website for purchase this week, I think... I will post photos of the final design or next version as soon I as get one. :D

I'm pretty positive were going to do a smaller version as soon as we finalize this current design, for those who want a more compact option. Our goal with this one is to make it "universal" to give people different options for carrying various accessories since every AC has different needs and preferences depending on the shoot. You don't have to carry it fully stuffed either, you can shed and add things as you wish. We have added the magnet for silent access during takes along with a closed top tape measure pouch. I'll post photos as soon Scott(the designer) has the new version made up. :)

I was thinking about that too, maybe we can try to do something where you can remove or add a longer divider depending on different AC's preferences. Thanks for the input!

Matt, thanks for your suggestions they are all valid points! Were going to work on coming up with something for the tape measure, something that will lock it in place so it can't fly off. We can definitely add some loop(soft side Velcro) to the top of the pouch, that's an easy addition. Were probably going to do a smaller version of this pouch, probably half the size in width, for those who want a smaller solution. I think we may do an option where you can purchase a belt with the pouch that has some "D" rings on it. I'll post some new photos as we make the design changes. The only thing I'm worried about is the magnetic snap interfering with CF cards and other media. Thanks for the comments everyone!

I asked someone in the company about this and they said they have gotten requests from vegetarians for different straps. They said they have made alternate straps for vegan/vegetarians when they request them, so let your friends know if they are interested in getting something without the suede we can do custom orders for them. The problem is that they most people like the current straps because of their durability due to the material. Thanks for bringing this up though, honestly I had never really thought about it maybe in the future they will take a different route.

I've got some updated photos of the pouch and I will explain the logic behind some of the new design features. The front of the case has two slip pockets for dry erase markers and sharpies, then we have two large sized pockets for mini mag lights, lethermans and we have two mid sized pockets for screwdrivers, lens pens ect. Were also going to include some small pieces of foam that can be stuffed into the exterior pockets so if you have smaller items you want to store on the outside of the case they won't get lost in the depth of the pocket. Were most likely going to re position the web for the tape measure and position it below the two small slip pockets on the front of the case so we can distribute the weight on the case more evenly. We have added two elastic pockets on the sides of the case to hold canned air, an air blower, a can of beer ;) or really anything else that you need quick access too. We also added a divider(thanks for the suggestion Bobby) which can be deployed or un-deployed, along with a greyish white material in the on the backside of the case to reflect more light for the built in light. We also built in elastic slips in for storing additional pens, china pencils, lens pens ect. We redesigned the how the light is placed in the case, its now inside of a flap that can be flipped up and faced outside of the case in situations where you might need to shine some light on the exterior pockets of the case or for any other uses where you might need some light on the outside of the case. Let me know if you have any questions/suggestions about version 2. Thanks for the input so far! :D -Matt

I love the magnet idea! I will check and see if its a possibility to add that in as a feature, a small earth magnet might to the trick. My only concern is if the magnet will cause any problems with certain things that may be stored in the pouch, for example CF cards/SXS cards ect. Or if your holding a magazine at waist level and it comes in close contact with the magnet, could that damage the film stock? I don't think its an issue but do you see any potential problems with a magnet? As far as the zipper goes I originally voted against the zipper too but then we figured you can just leave the pouch unzipped while you work out of the pouch throughout the day and then at the end of the day it can be zipped up so the items inside don't spill out when its not in use being transported. Thanks for your feedback Brian we certainly appreciate it! -Matt

I will post updated photos today once we get a new prototype finished. Stay posted!