Reading responses in moving camera cinematography

¶ … Steadicam and Its Parts - One of the things that first struck me about this book is that it gets right to the point. From the beginning, the book focuses on the technicality of the Steadicam and its use. While I do not like the book's initial informality, it is something that I learned to appreciate as I continued to read. In this first section, Holway introduces the reader, in essence a Steadicam operator, to the history of the Steadicam, what to expect when you're wearing it, and all the moving parts.

Getting Started - While the first section focuses on the actual device and getting comfortable wearing the Steadicam rig, this second section impressed me by explaining how to move with the rig attached. I especially liked how the book focuses on walking, moving through the film space, changing speed, and walking and talking.

Beyond the Basics - I really liked how this section focuses on wearing the rig, and places emphasis on posture from the beginning. While this may seem unnecessary to some, it is refreshing to see how much Holway uses diagrams to demonstrate the right and wrong ways to do things.

Section 4: Steadicam and Filmmaking -- I like how this section focuses on the Steadicam and how it relates to filmmaking. Finally, the book starts to focus on what the camera captures and not how it captures it or the equipment used to capture it.

Section 5: Movement Techniques -- This section appears to be slightly repetitive of what is stated in section 2 about moving with the rig, however, it provides useful tips on navigating through tight and unconventional spaces.

Section 6: Framing Techniques -- I like how this section goes into great detail on framing and provides excellent examples of the Steadicam at work, and I like how the Steadicam operator's patch is outlined in the different examples. This makes it easier for an operator to not only understand the theoretical concepts mentally, but also see them in action.

Section 7: Getting to Work -- Finally! Getting to work. This section lets the operator know that there is much more to just knowing how the camera works to be successful. Actually being on a set and part of a crew means that you are now part of a team, and as such, you need to work together to make the director's vision become reality.

Section 8: Extending the Range of Movement -- I like how this section allows the Steadicam operator to understand how the rig can be modified and what the modifications are. One of the things I don't like about this section, is that it appears to say these are the only modifications you can make and slightly discourages experimentation (a running theme throughout the book). Another thing I like about this section is its explanation of the different Steadicam formations that can be utilized on set.

Section 9: Extending the Range of Options -- Breaking the rules: I like how the book provides examples of nontraditional Steadicam usage, but the detail into which it explains it is too great and doesn't allow the operator to figure out things for him or herself.

Section 10: The Business Side of Steadicam -- I like how the book allows the Steadicam operator to realize their business worth and value, and how it explains, or provides tips on how to properly market one's abilities. It also references many things a new operator might not think about when going into the industry.