David Erlichman

It's all motors. The sections are linked by internal cables which are also linked to either a belt or cable driven weight carriage. Chapman's HydroScope line are a little different but the principle is that same. The Mitchell mounting point on the nose is not "stabilized" as per say, but is motor driven to stay parallel with the ground. Some of the manufactures you can find on the Interwebs: Chapman / Leonard - HydroScopes ServiceVision - Scorpios SuperTechnoCrane - TechnoCrane and SuperTechno Cranes (I'll never understand the naming scheme) MovieBird Louma If you have any more questions, please feel free to leave me a message here and also check www.Dollygrippery.com where you might find some more insight. On my current job we have a Scorpio 30+7 and Scorpio 23 full time so I'm on the cranes daily.

Other than what? Dwight has their own tilting mechanism that mounts to their telehandlers.

Modern doesn't make / convert the umbrella anymore (at last check). You can find the manufacturer and just swap their spigot for a JR spud.

Salut; You should be able to purchase ZEP through any rental house that carries Chapman / Leonard products. Here in Toronto, I get it through Production Services or William F White - both of which I know you don't have in Montreal. What about Googling for a local ZEP dealer?

I saw their "fisher ten" rip off computer drawing on a newsletter somewhere, but it hasn't been mentioned anywhere else.

I've used it and it's older brothers over the years. Never liked the experience. The boom height does not go as low as a pee wee, nor as high as a pee wee. There's very little clearence under the chassis and you'll find yourself beached on cable matts. The board system is seriously lacking and the low mode brackets push the levelling head farther out than nessessary. I'm waiting to see their Fisher 10 rip off.

Find your local Algood dealer.

Wikipedia seems to have a pretty clear description. Check out the main and all the sub catagories. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grip_%28job%29

Hot Gears (limited) or MoSys.

Look alot like CineSyl's Boa: http://www.cinesyl.fr/Boa/Boa.htm I've never used it, but have visited their website.

Sanjay - I see. Two track wheels side by side (Hustler IV) vs two track wheels in tandem (old style Fisher). You'll have to ask Darryl about that. I'm a Hybrid guy and he's the Hustler guy. However, I see nothing in the Hustler Manual about mounting the dolly sideways. Hope you're having fun and doing well (besides missing your family)

The Speed Wheels with brakes can be found here: http://gripgoodies.com/ As for the use of dual wheels? I feel that only Fisher can answer that (Warwick?). Maybe heading towards the idea of more wheels to spread the dolly load onto (evolution of the 32 wheel speed wheel)? I don't believe it had anything to mounting the dolly perpendicular to the track.

These track wheels where Fisher's answer for use of their Fisher 8 & 9s on round track prior to the advent of "speed wheels". Remember their used their own square track that the regular wheels ran on without having to switch anything. About six years ago Fisher developed their own round track wheel that did away with the little dual wheels and was the same as their regular diameter wheel. (see Fisher's website for pictures - under accessories). There is grip in Florida that's making Speed Wheels with a plunger brake.

I'm guessing you're looking for riding crane. I'm partial to G.F.M. cranes. Some grips will tell you they prefer the open lattice work of FilmAir's Giraffe, but I find the versatility of any of the GFM's well worth it. Dave

There's also the "ShotBall" (www.shotballcamera.com), The "Airhead" and the "Bouncing Baby". All from different parts of the world.

The 3D Camera Company

Hello Dan; Most school floors are great to dolly on - of course all depending on lens size choice. Chapman makes the Vibration Isolator: And GripTech in Australia makes a version of it as well. Using Chapman's Soft Tires on any of their chassis' would work fine. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, then a Doorway Dolly with it's pneumatic wheels would be your next option (but a PITA to deal with). If you have the resources on your show, then a SteadiCam hard mounted to a larger dolly: Fisher 10, Hybrid or Hustler would give you the most options for height, speed and camera placement.

Would it not be easier to lay dance floor?

Can we share the book & web info here?

Following up on Tim O'C's post, does anyone know of a metal working magzine ala "Fine Home / Woodworking"? I've found the odd forum on the web but would prefer something on paper... any suggestions?

The last photo shows Modern Studio Equipment's Pipe Boom Kit (Part # 015-2810), which also requires you to have Allen Keys and a rachet strap. Mounts in any 4" grip head (sky hi, lollipop in a windup, etc). Just make sure that you counter balance, but don't forget about the amount of weight you have overhead. Dave

http://hollywoodcartsandracks.com/ Never used them, but their website looks nice. Whitney's (Ron Sal) website went down last year. Don't know if they're around anymore. Most stuff is mutated Backstage made locally. Any carts you can copy?

Next time you're at William F White's - go to the Camera Car dept and talk to Kerry. He'll be happy to show you with the rigs they have on hand.

Josh; You have a couple options here in Toronto. If you have the budget (and the space in the restaurant), the Techno 50 is the more versatile (be sure to use a stabilized head - Stab C, or Stab Scorpio as we don't have a Libra here and I highly doubt you'd want to spring for it on a daily. The head will eat up any "arm chatter" on longer lenses). Another option if there's time to play is to hit up Studio City Scaffolding. Talk to Andre. Find out if there's a "Mitchell plate" traveller that can be run on the underside of an Alumabeam. The longest Alumabeam they have is 30' (custom job as the standard longest length is 24') that way you have the longest travel without joints. Another source for the traveller is either David Harcourt, or LairdFX; either could whip one up in no time. Rig the Alumabeam in the roof or off scaffold at either end. Then it's a couple of ropes to pull it along. Once again, a remote head would be advantageous. Laying track and using a Ubangi or jib arm is doable, however you'll find that any rigging you do will make any imperfections in the track worse as it has a whipping / fishpole effect

Also know here as "Quacker clamps"