Gaffer & Gear 235 - Boom Arms

[@jasonrjohnston]

I love these "back to basics" videos the best. It’s always fun to watch fellow pros to either verify my methods or show me another perspective. It’s good practice to keep in practice! Thanks, Andrew!

[@00WhiteBlade]

Key Grip & Gear are my favorite episodes!

[@sjursjur]

This is easily one of my top 5 favourite videos on KZbin.

[@MotionMovieCut]

I love these kind of videos! Learning from your experience even on the little things is really helpful 😇

[@davidp158]

Thanks Andrew! It never hurts to get back to basic, and pick up some new tricks along the way.

[@danbrockettDOP]

I'm not a pro grip, I'm a DP who often has to do my own G&L when I don't have grips or a gaffer, so your tips are great. I loved the ratchet strap trick from this one, I never would have thought of that one and that would definitely give me some safety peace of mind, especially on a long extension or with a heavier load armed out.

[@sammorganmoore]

As you want ideally to keep the system in balance all the time.. might the strap be a bit of a blind alley?

[@danbrockettDOP]

@@sammorganmoore For me personally, I would only apply the strap once I had established a balanced load, as a secondary safety precaution, especially with a light over talent or crew.

[@danbrockettDOP]

I’m also a producer, I’m incredibly safety minded, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but it’s also a huge liability to even arm out anything on set as far as I’m concerned.

[@sammorganmoore]

@@danbrockettDOP Indeed. I didnt say the strap was a bad idea.. I said it might be a blind alley. What I meant was that could encourage some folk to use it to compensate for out of balance setups. Using it as a safe has value :)

[@danbrockettDOP]

@@sammorganmoore Yes, that would be bad and a lot of people just seem to gloss over important details and go though the motions and expect the same results. We live in an ADD world unfortunately. I think most professional grips are very logic/engineering/cause and effect oriented, but a lot of video/filmmakers who aren’t professional grips tend to either not get cause and effect or just have the artist mindset and aren’t focused on the safety. A heavy light on a long and heavy arm out could kill someone if not deployed properly so good that this video is out there to show how to do it correctly.

[@tomdchi12]

These basics episodes are great.

[@JulioBHJ]

I feel like this is the only video on KZbin about the awesome Avenger D650 and I'm grateful you posted it.

[@thehomedepothouseplant9986]

Andrew is the GOAT. I've learnt so much stuff from this guy. Thank you brotha

[@charleshoughton]

Fabulous introduction to the RIGHT way to use a boom arm. I love hearing the logic behind actions I do not understand the implications behind. Thanks andrew

[@robbertnieuwenhuijs]

Just a word of appreciation, I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate your content, it helps a lot. Even as a dp, things like this makes me more knowledgable on set, and more confident and relaxed when waiting on adjustments in lighting. Thanks!!

[@Jaba050]

Реально полезное видео, которое помогло мне понять как на самом деле нужно работать со с осветительными приборами, стойками и журавлями. Раньше я мучился и таскал все эти тяжести не правильно, делал все очень хаотично и суетливо, но теперь я знаю как оптимизировать свой рабочий процесс. Огромное спасибо! Благодаря Вам я становлюсь умнее :) Really helpful video that helped me understand how to actually work with lights, stands and cranes. I used to suffer and carry all these weights incorrectly, I did everything very chaotic and fussy, but now I know how to optimize my workflow. Thanks a lot! Thank you for making me smarter :)

[@marksasahara1115]

I was taking a LitePanels Gemini head off a MiniMax and the arm sprang up when I took the weight off. That was really stupid! The arm was extended, so I should have had someone hold the end of the arm as I took the weight off and prevent the arm from snapping up. Lucky for me nothing happened but I definitely learned my lesson. Pay attention and think about what you are doing, especially at the end of a long day and you are tired and in a hurry. You should not work absent mindedly!

[@mitchmedmedia5386]

This is great and I'm going to checking out any of these "back to basics" that I can find on your channel. Thank you!

[@adrinaik93]

Just got an additional Avenger D600CB mini boom that im using this Friday with a couple of Amaran P60c for scratch light in a podcast. Loved the content of this video, and I always put in practice the other two advices: the slightly front heavy for auto-tighting, and the weight always over a leg. Thanks Andrew!

[@WetheDepressed]

Thanks for going over practical grip techniques. It's really great for us learners.

[@RawloftheDead]

I love this explanation! So helpful

[@RCPMMaryland]

Just purchased a boom similar to this for a back light or to hang our 300D over talent safely. Great video. Thanks.

[@dymonmein]

Those ratchet straps are great, I saw that and grabbed a couple on my last trip to Home Depot. So effective!

[@georg782]

Great video! Good to see that one person can actually handle this boom arm.

[@sarahhauptman]

Love the back to basics videos! Thank you for putting out such quality, helpful information.

[@santiagoserratos3062]

You know he's doing it right because it seems effortless.

[@crehmenti]

Thanks Andrew! Always learning something from your videos! :D

[@dqstudios]

Love your concise and informative videos. Thanks for the masterclass on boom arms!

[@PeaLoop]

Flippin' love this channel. 😍

[@GiancarloBiondi]

Great advices!

[@AxiA]

I own that boom arm. I like it but I noticed that the knuckle doesn’t lock up the arm the way I’d want it to be and the arm slowly dips down at times, Probably because the light I put it’s slightly too heavy. Is my arm defective or it’s normal ? .. c stands knuckles never loose grip , but the boom arm knuckles seem to loose grip as soon as you go close to the payload… wondering if I have a defective unit or it’s just how the boom arms are.

[@sammorganmoore]

I would sugget get th balance so good that the knuckles dont have to do anything, then just nip them up to counter a breeze or filldling pa.

[@gaffergear]

I would suggest it may have too much weight on the front for the length it is being used at.

[@craft_me_if_you_can]

thank you for sharing your experience even on the little things is really helpful, Great content!

[@jacoporodolfi4806]

thanks thanks and thanks, i'v been waiting for this!!!

[@VideoheadsLtd]

Love back to basics !

[@rsrsrs93]

Very helpful! Thanks a lot!

[@JulesFredericNerestant]

Been looking forward to getting schooled on boom arms. Thanks!

[@valerintproductions]

I JUST picked up that same boom arm for a recent feature and it worked great! Highly recommend

[@attilafilmhouse6345]

Hi, Did you use it on a Matthews combo stand or on an Avenger Combo stand?

[@valerintproductions]

@@attilafilmhouse6345 The Avenger! The one he showed in the video. I was booming my 300D with Lantern 90 into the middle of rooms so actors had more freedom when I was handheld.

[@valerintproductions]

@@attilafilmhouse6345 Oh shoot my apologies I misread that as if you were asking what brand boom I got. I got the Avenger he showed in the video but I have a Matthews Combo Stand. However the Avenger combos are also great!

[@attilafilmhouse6345]

@@valerintproductions thank you! thats the combo stand I intend to use too with this boom arm. good to know that it works fine. some posts suggested to buy the Avengers combo stand but I am a big Matthews fan otherwise...although their boom pole does not seem this sturdy like the Avengers D650 in this video :) I ordered the D650 and will also try use it with the Matthews Combo stand. Thx again!

[@VDVit_2013]

One way to get around the limitation of the ratchet strap is to use a magic arm with two mafers as a diagonal support in the back. One clamp on the riser, one clamp on the 2k boom, make sure the magic arm is fully extended and locked. You can now angle it however you want. That said, you may still need to rotate the base of the stand, as you wouldn't want to have the weight of the light not over a leg.

[@ruslankbr5243]

As always great advises! I would be happy to see similar video about using gels because my gels are melted and I don’t know what to do)

[@Justin_Allen]

Great content!

[@erwin1980]

Master!

[@glebv]

Thank you! Please do the Mega Boom next! :)

[@jumokoko6095]

good vedio!

[@DavidJonesImages]

Thanks, more like this..

[@RobertHollingworth]

Very informative - learned a lot. Thank you. Could you do one on a Mega Boom too please?

[@tvlmedia314]

Great! Can you also make a video about Butterfly Safety (outdoors)? There is very less info online. For butterflies in general there are very few video's

[@ROBERTPOKONSKI]

short n sweet

[@jimmirodolfi2688]

Thanks!

[@marianogonzales9135]

thanks andrew

[@nshea3286]

When you are removing the light, you could lower the light to the ground, remove the rear counterweight and then remove the light. That's the method I use on jib arms for cameras.

[@sammorganmoore]

You have an expensive light or camera. This can drop to the floor when you remove the rear weight. So you absolutely should remove the expensive fragile item first. When opping a jib as a grip the cam a/c will release the camera. His combo stand is fully low - its a big stand and cant go lower (ok maybe 3in on the centre clamps)

[@gaffergear]

Your suggestion is valid, it's how I take down my longer menace arms with removable weights. This boom has a non removable weight. You could technically remove it with a spanner, but the next issue would be the weight has no grab point .

[@cfl4286]

I’ve thought about purchasing these boom arms before. What’s the advantages over a menace arm? I have three menace arms in my kit, but it seems the boom arms are a bit faster to set up I suppose.

[@gearoidosullivan356]

Generally boom arms are a lot faster to set up, and easier to tweak when the light is on it (one of the boom arms even has an adjustable head which allows you to pan and tilt the light). Menace arms are great when you need a lot more distance, but I find them annoying if I need to make small changes and having to adjust numerous ratchet straps etc.

[@natecarrollfilms]

+100 for spring clamp trick.

[@AlexanderCornel]

❤

[@cinemanuggets24]

❤❤

[@John-e4p1x]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jcraw722]

Is there a hook on the back of the frame for a ratchet strap? I find that's a safer way than rasing a light than a bag of lead or sand in the air

[@jcraw722]

Sorry I am I'm patient

[@gaffergear]

Not on this one, but a few gaffers have taken out the counter weight and bolted an eyelet in its place for that exact purpose.

[@CinemaElectronika]

Hi Andrew ... What comments deserves to you the Kupo Junior Boom Stand 546M?

[@gaffergear]

I haven't seen it yet, I have a lot of kupo and it seems solid

[@108u9]

Hi Andrew, is there a way you like or suggested way to select how heavy a counter weight should be? Especially for a extending boom arm like this vs say a fixed length C stand? My own little “tip” to contribute: more a preference but I like softer weighs like shot bags etc. vs hard weighs for weighing down things. It’s not happen before but I hope that if it somehow lands or hits something or someone, the softer weigh might cause a bit less damage. Stay safe and well everyone!

[@sammorganmoore]

The stand will have a capacity, maybe 20KG so the rear mass and light and the arm (and batts/leads) should not add up to more than 20kg, but in reality the boom has huge rotational inertia .. so have maybe a 50% safety margin, so if your stand is good for 20kg then mass+light+boom should be max 10kg??

[@gaffergear]

As already commented, the stand (and the boom) will have a maximum limit.

[@108u9]

@@gaffergear HI Andrew for my better understanding, would you pick a weight that is roughly equal to the weight of the fixture+modifier (e.g. 5kg weight for a 5kg load)? Or does it not matter since there's leverage even when using a lighter weight (e.g. you can use a 2kg counter weight to balance a 5kg load)? Curious how you might go about figuring it out. It's something I've not given specific thought about and wondering if I'm missing something

[@gaffergear]

For me I don't have a lot of options, so it is always another shot bag then adjust the balance point

[@giordiserafini_]

Got a question on boom arms. I have used a c stand arm and a lolipop to boom out an aputure 600d before, and it works but i'd like a more robust option. I now have an avenger d600 boom (the smaller version of the one you used in this video) and i'm wondering if this will be safer than a C stand arm with a lolipop? Some people online say the d600 payload isn't great, but it must be better than a c stand arm yes?

[@gaffergear]

It's definitely better than a C-stand arm, but I would be reluctant to go full extension with a 600D.

[@giordiserafini_]

​@@gaffergear Thats kinda what I was thinking too. May rent a Pavoslim panel and test the full extension. Thank you for the reply!

[@sammorganmoore]

Put this in an INT room, especially one with its own practical lights and wires in the ceiling and this rig becomes extremely dangerous as it can swing up and create a death short cuircuit by smashing a hot (live) practical. Not to mention easily damaging the ceiling. I wonder if you missed the key advice. This build is a two person job???

[@markrobinson8254]

ratchet strap.