ITV Studios Invests In Steadicam Rig

ITV Studios has invested in a Steadicam M-1 rig. The rig is the latest high-end product from Steadicam and was supplied by Tiffen International, which is based at London's Pinewood Studios. Also included with the system was the Fawcett Exovest, and G70x arm.

The studios had been hiring a Steadicam Ultra2, but decided to purchase its own system, with the further advantage of having the latest features to streamline their operation. Following their normal procurement procedures of testing three different solutions from varied manufacturers, Jon Townsend and Tom Woodcock, ITV Camera Operators, were tasked with sourcing a suitable camera stabilisation system for their live broadcast studio setups using Sony ENG Cameras.

Danny Hallett, Tiffen International, explained: "The M-1 system ticked all of the boxes with its modularity, battery options, tilt stage, thicker post, no-tools adjustment, multiple HD lines and the feel of the G70x arm. Additionally, their time with the Ultra2 and G70 arm had already given them a positive experience.

"The choice of vest was the subject of much deliberation. Both operators were used to the Steadicam Ultra Vest, however after fitting them with it, I also loaned an Exovest for them to test over the following week or so, in a live, working environment. The choice of vest is most important as the user has to feel comfortable, secure and able to carry out their job without issue or discomfort. In a live environment, the operators are in the rig for several hours at a time. The Exovest facilitates this, being an exoskeleton of rigid structure and being open to allow less contact points in the heat of the studio."

Tom Woodcock said: "This week is the first time I've had chance to properly use the M-1 and it's a joy to use. I can't fault it at all. Everything is a big improvement over what we were used to."

The M-1 was purchased specifically for ITV shows 'Good Morning Britain', and 'Loose Women', with the possibility of use on other popular daytime shows. The monitor of choice to be used with the M-1 was a Transvideo 8" XSBL 1500nit unit. A Sony HDC-1500 camera is used on the Steadicam rig in conjunction with a BOXX Meridian wireless system on Good Morning Britain, and fibre on Loose Women.

Image: ITV camera operator Jon Townsend on the ITV 'Good Morning Britain' set with their new Steadicam M-1 rig. Photo by Tom Woodcock.

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(JP)