User manual

Steadiseg User Manual Chris Fawcett 2013/06
Using the same riding techniques as before, you now have the Steadicam to help
you. Push it out to initiate moving forwards, but follow it to keep your masses, as
much as possible, together. If you feel the base tilting back, cut your speed and
review your situation. If you were operating at maximum speed, back off. You
should operate the Segway below its maximum speeds. Tripping the speed limiter
compromises your shot anyway. To stop, pull the Steadicam towards you again.
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You’ll want to wait a while before attempting 360s or turning while going
backwards, but these are essentially no different with the Steadicam on. Always
point your hips into the direction of the turn, and bear down on your outside foot. If
you find yourself out of balance, you’re doing it wrong. Practice the spiral.
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5.1 Steps Off and On
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The beauty of soft-mount is that you can work the Steadiseg into a longer shot by
mounting or dismounting while continuing to film. Easiest is stepping off. Usually,
you’ll step off forwards, though some shots may demand that you step off the
back. This is obviously best practiced first without the Steadicam. Tip: narrow the
control-stick width slightly at the front to help you avoid nudging the pads, and
tighten the swivel slightly.
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Stepping Off
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Sometimes, you can step off and leave the Steadiseg to come to rest, but usually,
you’ll want someone to hold it for you. This will stop the machine from running off,
and give you a more stable platform from which to alight. Whoever is going to
hold the machine needs to be familiar with it. Don’t just co-opt some poor grip. If s/
he is not familiar with the Steadiseg, grabbing it during a clumsy step-off is
intimidating. Kill the machine’s forward motion by shifting your weight to your heels
—or its backward motion by shifting your weight to your toes—as you step off.
Practice makes perfect.
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