Mike Nutt

But the big lesson to be learned from the iPod is that people want to be able to integrate media into their lives. Having to set aside time to sit in front of a screen just isn't what everyone wants to do. Just as TV never replaced the radio, I imagine there will always be a place for the silver screen is some way or another, especially as long as there are people like us who admire the artistry of filmmaking. However, if people have better access to visual media, and are watching music videos or "TV" shows more often, I have to think that's a good thing and will create more demand for our product. Although you have to pay for it, there's an interesting article in the NY Times about this very subject: NY Times article

Yeah I guess pony clamps would work better than binder clips for the short term, but maybe I should explain a little more what we need. This is mounted in a multi-use University studio. We have to be able to roll it up at least three or four feet after every use to access an electrical outlet that is unfortunately behind the paper (and to keep students from trampling it when it's not in use). So getting two faculty or staff members on top of ladders each time to roll it up and down and clamp it is kind of impractical. Although the pros may cut it off each time, this is definitely not a "pro" situation. We're on a budget and this paper is not an expendable for us. So yes - the crank pulley/winch system is what I'm thinking along the lines of. Has anyone ever made one of these or could you imagine what one might look like?

A pretty eccentric question, but: So we recently built a mount for chroma-key paper in our studio. It's pretty simple right now: A ten foot steel bar is supported ten feet from the floor by pipe fittings that come off of the wall, attached by two flanges. At each end of the steel bar is a union so we can take the bar down easily to change the paper. However, now we have two related problems: 1. We have no good way to keep the paper from unrolling to the ground from its own weight (right now we're just using binder clips! Not good!). 2. We need a way to roll the paper up and down as it can't remain down all the time (students would destroy/trample/tear it). Has anybody ever built their own chroma-key paper support? I'm thinking we need some kind of cam that fits inside the paper roll? Any ideas would be appreciated! Thanks, Mike

A researcher for Google Answers also compiled an awesome list of royalty-free media here: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=542225 If this link doesn't work, search Google Answers for "Royalty Free Media". Mike

This is pretty humbling, but I can't figure out how to get the plate off of a Manfrotto (Bogen) 3066 head. This is driving me crazy. Please help. Thanks, Mike Nevermind, I figured it out. I'll admit to being a little daft, but what a terrible design. For anyone else who scoured the Internet for this: unscrew the small knob directly below the Manfrotto logo. Once the screw is about 3/8-1/2 inch out, push down on the knob, towards the floor. The screw acts as a lever and releases the plate. Mike

So is the crystal motor on the Arri just regulating the fps, making sure it runs at a constant rate? Still curious what that 4-pin connector is for... Thanks for your help.

OK, so say you have an Arri BL with a crystal sync motor and a Tascam DAT. I don't understand how you're physically supposed to connect the two. I mean, does the crystal motor regulate the DAT's power supply? That doesn't seem right. What is the "4-pin XLR" on the sync motor for? I assume that's how the actual syncing is taking place...?