Steadicam Instruction

Carl Wiedemann : Chicago Steadicam Operator, Videographer, FilmmakerIn 2008 I began doing informal instructional and demo sessions for Steadicam. These were each in response to individual requests to learn the basics of setting up and operating or from people who had already purchased rigs and wanted one-on-one guidance. I've also done numerous demonstration/Q&A sessions for students and teachers of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Film Department.

I've found these sessions to be valuable for networking with other videographers and Steadicam Op's as well as for getting further work (I've been hired for many jobs by two producers who were evaluating the Pilot rig as a future company purchase).

Knowing that there are many Chicago area videographers acquiring, or contemplating the purchase of, one of the many lower cost rigs now available (Tiffen Pilot, Flyer, Scout, Zephyr, Aero, Glidecam Smooth Shooter, X-10, V-25) I'm offering low priced, somewhat casual, instructional sessions. I currently own a Pilot, a Flyer LE and a full size EFP rig to use in these classes. Please contact me to discuss scheduling and rates.

Steadicam Worshops in the Chicago Area

Tiffen occasionally stages two-day Steadicam Workshops in the Chicago area. A 2017 Workshop is scheduled for June 13 and 14 at Abel Cine in Chicago.

Panasonic HPX500 shoot.
Panasonic HPX500 shoot.
Arri Alexa on Steadicam
Arri Alexa on Steadicam.
Carl with Sony F900R in snowy Chicago.
Carl with Sony F900R in snowy Chicago.
Shooting dance with DSLR on Flyer LE rig.
Shooting dance with DSLR on Flyer LE rig.
Music Video shoot with Red Epic on EFP sled.
Music Video shoot with Red Epic on EFP sled.
Soundstage shoot with Panasonic AF100.
Soundstage shoot with Panasonic AF100.
Sony F3 on PRO sled with Steadyrig arm.
Sony F3 on PRO sled with Steadyrig arm.
Sony F55 on Steadicam.
Sony F55 on Steadicam.
Extra low with the Aaton XC 16mm camera.
Extra low with the Aaton XC 16mm camera.
Music Video with Red Epic on PRO sled.
Music Video with Red Epic on PRO sled.

 
Steadicam Details
> Steadicam Main
> Steadicam Rates
> Equipment
> Demo Reels
> Production Photos
> General Resume
> Steadicam Instruction
> Steadicam Resources
  

 
LINKS
  • Internet Movie Database A partial listing of feature films, shorts and broadcast projects I've worked on.

  • My Steadicam Operators Association listing.

  • MyProductionHUB listing.

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    Steadicam Credits

    Industrial | Corporate | Commercials | TV

    Abbott Labs, Abstract: The Art of Design, Aircell, American College of Cardiology, American Crew, American Docs, American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, BET Network, Brightstar Corp, Bellator Fighting Championships, Bud Light, Buddig, Buick, Cablevision, Caffarelli & Siegel law firm, Cassidy Tire, Caterpillar, CDW, Centene, Chamberlain, Cheeky Chicago, Chevy Malibu, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Chicago Dream House Raffle, Citadel, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Continental Furniture, CVS, The Daily Show, DDB Needham, Dyson Vacuums, First Chicago, First NonProfit Group, Forbes Travel Guide, Fresh Wave, G + W Electric, Gillette Razors, de Giulio Kitchen Design, Goshen Center for Cancer Care, Greenwood Associates, Hilton Hotels, Jayco RV, Kellogg School of Business, Kerry Ingredients, LG vacuums, Loyola University, Lucent Technologies, Magnificent Mile Association, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Mexico: One Plate at a Time, Microsoft, Mulitiplex Clubs, Museum of Science and Industry, MySpace Live, Navistar, Nicole Meret, Nintendo Wii, Peak6 Investments, Porsche Exchange, QVC Network, Qvidian Playbook, Restoration Hardware, Rockford Health System, SB Nation: Core of Sports, Sears Chef Challenge, Second City Communications, Seyfarth Shaw, Seqway Chicago, Shure Microphones, Steve Harvey, Topco, Trend Micro, Tribune Media , Trump Hotel Chicago, US Cellular , Underwriters Laboratories, United Airlines, Univision PSA, Univision TV Promo, Veuve Cliequot, Wave Vodka, Wrigleys Gum, Yale Forklifts.

    MUSIC VIDEOS AND LIVE PERFORMANCE

    Arlen Music, Clawfinger, Drama, Lupe Fiasco, Front Line Assembly, Brett Eldridge, Gillette/Twenty Fingers, Carolyn Hoerdemann, I See Stars, Court Jester, Hugh Laurie (band documentary), The Legendary Traxster, Ramsey Lewis, Lil Durk, Kelsey Montanez (10,000 Bombs, Out of Sight), Napalm Death, oh my god, Paramore, Poe, Gayle Ritt, R5, Ramsen Sheeno, Ysanne Spevack, T.I, Tomi, Villain, Wickerman, The Willis Clan, Young Chop, Zona Man.

    INDIE FEATURES

    20-22, After Effect, Animals, 8 of Diamonds, Bullet on a Wire, The Blank Page, Farewell Darkness, Happily After, The Last Days of British Honduras, Loopers: A Caddie’s Life, Nightlights, Polish Wedding, The Rake, Roundabout American, Two Rivers, Without Borders, You May Not Kiss the Bride.

    SHORT FILMS

    I have been a paid Steadicam Operator on well over 70 student film projects since 1995. Approximately half of these were shot on 16mm film and originated from Northwestern University and Columbia College in Chicago. In 2010 I began working on DePaul University and Flashpoint Academy projects, typically shot on the Red Cam. I have also worked professionally on School of the Art Institute related features and shorts as well as on numerous independent shorts, experimental films and art projects including: Adorno/Bueller, The Advanced Technological Regression of Nestor Talbot, The Alchemy of Comedy, Beer Float, The Caseys, Chase, A City to Make Me, Debt of the Heart, The Devolution of Ethan Chadwick, Diversion, Don’t Know What it is, Emmett's Last Stand, Fading to Photograph, Flat Chested, The Girl in Blue, A Heretic’s Primer, The Janitor's Closet, Keeper, The Kiss, The Last Cosmonaut, Last Light, Lionel on a SunDay, Marathon, My Lovers Moods, Not With a Bang, On Falling, Palooka, The Perfect Skate, Rather Lovely Thing, Reservations, Streamline, Taco Mary, Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 23-33, Two Days in Limbo, Unbridled.

    Dance

    From 2003 to 2013 I did Steadicam shooting for BONEdanse|Breakbone DanceCo documenting both live performances and shooting site specific pieces utilizing Steadicam Videography. Since 2008 I’ve done Steadicam shooting for performance documentaion and dance films for Cindy Brandle Dance Company, Colleen Halloran Films (Playland), Dances Made to Order: Wasteland, Dropshift Dance, Khecari Dance Theatre, Nadia Oussenko, The Space / Movement Project, Synapse Arts Collective, and Willful Acts, Zephyr Dance..

    Weddings

    Since 2010 I’ve shot wedding b-roll with my smaller Steadicam rigs (Pilot and Flyer LE) with DSLR cameras. Clients include: Joshua Albanese Photography, Delack Media Group, Front Row View Films, Leap Weddings, R.E.M. Video and Photography, Sami Studio, and Xpress Video Productions. View a demo here or here..