Meet The Gaffer #77: Menace Arm Basics

In this episode, Alan and I go over the different parts of a menace arm and ways to configure them for length and safety.
At 6:30 I talk about an over-under way to secure a second stand and head. Alan sent me a photo of this configuration that you can see here on my Dropbox: www.dropbox.co...

[@Birkkromann]

Really great tip with the Cardelinni! But yeah, with regards to the fixture itself, I would always secure that!

[@CalHallows]

Great tip about the ratchet strap onto the bottom of the stand - I hadn't seen this done before and it makes a tonne of sense. If you haven't got both hands to the arm when you slack it can fall pretty quick if you're swinging around a bit of weight!

[@meetthegaffer]

There is now a link to a photo that Alan Steinheimer sent me which illustrates the over-under config of the second stand in a two stand menace arm config. You can find it in the explanation below the main video. The first person I saw doing this was SF Key Grip, Brook Johnson.

[@IndieMusiCon]

Elephant ears have a T-shaped channel so they don't pull out of the lolli under stress. Wouldn't that make it unnecessary to mount it upside down? www.adorama.com/images/Large/mt319642.jpg

[@meetthegaffer]

Yes, I don’t use this method anymore... I just tie it off, like in MTG #129

[@mattradican8762]

It would be good to see the Menace Arm rig you used in the News set up with the arm and eyelet for center post. Those are the style I see everywhere in LA and NYC and would be nice to show the setup for safety when people set one up for the first time.

[@maxvartanian]

These are called baby or Jr boom poles. A menace arm is a larger rig built out of pipe with ratchets supporting the "flex" at the top in a triangular shape; as far as I understand. Something not mentioned was that the arm should always be positioned over the leg of the stand.

[@meetthegaffer]

Thank you for the correction. I’m a tad sloppy with my equipment naming and just call them all menace arms😬

[@haoyu1779]

And safety chains on the fixture :)

[@meetthegaffer]

Indeed!

[@4thwalltvandfilm]

This is great advice. Thanks for the safety tips as well. Don't need a stand slipping that is for sure.

[@meetthegaffer]

👍🏻

[@TedHolmwood]

Good stuff in here, I might start to use that cardellini tip on those heavy loads. What about using speedrail and a menace arm kit with ratchets on the top? They reinforce the strength to avoid drooping and allow you to increase the distance safely. I think that's a good one to cover... also how important it is to put a lot of weight on the legs as well as the direction of the legs in relation to the weight on the arm (always having a leg directly under the load).

[@meetthegaffer]

Yes! I have that menace arm kit that Modern makes and use it sometimes to pull out the sag. That would be a good one to cover! And you’re right about the leg under the load, just like setting a C-stand. Great additions!

[@mattradican8762]

Also I love the distro videos! please make another

[@meetthegaffer]

:)

[@louisshah4024]

Recently worked with those megaboom / jr boom, still prefer the speed-rail menace arm set. Thanks for the video.

[@meetthegaffer]

Right, it depends what you’re flying and what tools you have on hand... nice to have options:)

[@chrstphrdyer]

Wish there was a vid of you actually setting up an s60 in various configurations like the menace arm and whatever else. I got your guys book on kindle. The reviews are good. Looking forward to reading it. Thx for all the helpful info.

[@meetthegaffer]

:)

[@meetthegaffer]

We have a job coming up in early Feb for which we’ll probably menace two S60’s. I’ll do my best to shoot slow mo of Ernie doing all the work:)

[@chrstphrdyer]

Luke Seerveld thanks. Ask and ye shall receive :)

[@austinatencio5454]

Im lovin it!!

[@incee_netinai]

Audio is only right channel

[@meetthegaffer]

Yup, my audio is not always the best😑

[@Landonlacey10]

idk if anyone has ever pointed this out but I would believe it if Luke told me he was Jeff Goldblum's brother or cousin. He sort of looks like him and even talks like him a little bit.

[@Worriedfarmer]

I like Matthews equipment, but avenger makes a great arm that I have been hanging my joker 800, with a chemeria China ball over 4 top tables in restaurant Shoots for years, only bent a little, also use for kino flo celebrities on two camera shoots over talent, and host...but just got Matthew auto pole sweet piece of gear ....... still photo gear I just learned about. Handy ... thanks guys love the channel ! GripTruckHawaii.com.

[@meetthegaffer]

Right on, Scott! Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@abobakralshiblie4341]

Hi Scott.. I have the Junior Avenger arm.. what's your best way to operate it seeing that your setups heavier than mine since you use it with Jokers and Kinos? I sometimes use it to hang a chimera triolet with a Chimera M, but it gets heavy on the chimera end even though with the counterweight on the other side plus sandbag. I like the ratchet strap trick mentined in the video.. I think I will try to test that the next time

[@danielwaghorne]

This is fantastic, thank you. What would you say is too much weight on the end of the newer menace arm? Do you think a 7lb light (I'm thinking Aputure 300dii with a glode) be too much fully extended?

[@meetthegaffer]

That should be fine. But you should have a way to safety the back end available with weight or ratchet or rope or another stand. Take your truck me and make it safe!

[@BrothaSubjek]

Thanks for another helpful video. How’s the New Year treating you so far?

[@meetthegaffer]

It was a bit of a slow start, but the calendar is filling up and the phone is still ringing. No complaints, you?

[@BrothaSubjek]

I was with the Lincoln Street crew a couple of days last week. Other than that, I’m not busy yet

[@meetthegaffer]

One step in front of the other... eventually the year will get in gear!

[@ProfessaJ]

you should include amazon affiliate links

[@meetthegaffer]

The problem with a lot of the equipment we use is there are no Amazon links. Also, I would prefer to support local resellers. In our area there are two main ones, JCX Expendables and DTC. I get that people want the quick link, but I appreciate having a source that is knowledgeable, clues me in to things I may not have considered, and is an advocate between me and the source should things need to be returned or serviced. Having a healthy local ecosystem is not something I take for granted, so encouraging purchases via Amazon or B&H is not something I do lightly. I know I can make money off those referrals, but I’m also trying to model a different ethic that isn’t all about monetizing every last piece of what we do:) I know, you’re probably thinking: OK, Boomer! but that’s my current thinking... open to changing my mind, though!

[@timothyawe5103]

Terrible audio

[@SimplestUsername]

Huh? The audio is perfectly acceptable for a video like this. What an odd take?

[@meetthegaffer]

@SimplestUsername 🤷🏼‍♂️