Thursday, November 19, 2009

Since I've also been editing my mom's second book in her Omatarah series, I've been slacking a little on the blog. I do have some updates, though. I bit the bullet and submitted my proposal to Focal Press on the 17th. Very nervous.

New word: Quarter Twenty. Refers to a baby pin with a male threaded end that screws into the standard DV mount on a camera. Ok, maybe that's camera support, but sometimes grips have to rig up things other than lights and lighting control.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Yes, yes, I'm still here. Its been a busy week. Or two.

New terms I have learned recently:

Clamshell - A cheesborough (pipe) clamp.

Griptrician - A position created when a production doesn't want to pay for both a grip and an electrician. (I love this one.)

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Carts, carts, everywhere...

I met with the guys at Backstage Equipment Inc., a great bunch of guys that manufacture equipment carts of all shapes and sizes. They've graciously agreed to provide images of their inventory for Gripology on one condition, that I pass along this tip: "Taco Cart" isn't actually a type of cart, and if you ask for one, you never know what you're going to get. There are 4x4s, Crate Carts (by number of crates it holds), C-Stand Carts, Duz-Alls, Seniors and the list goes on, but no actuall Taco Carts. In fact there are so many, that there will be an entire chapter devoted just to carts.

Cheers!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I have figured out how to make smashing t-shirts! They are black with the gripology logo and the website. I'll attatch a picture soon. In order to win one of these five, limited adition Tees, you must email the name of ear piece of gear used in the gripology logo to gripologybook@yahoo.com. I'll give you a hint: The L is a frame corner. Good luck!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Got the pictures from Matthews!

Excitement galore! I received the CDs with all of the Matthews Grip images on them. Very excited. Thank you Jim!

Welcome all you anonymous users!

In my continuing quest to master the bloggisphear (wow, is that spelled right?), I have learned that you, the follower, can choose to be an anonymous user, which means I don't know you're there. So for all of you invisible followers, welcome and thank you for joining us here! Please feel free to drop me a line at gripologybook@yahoo.com so I can at least know you're there. Promise, no emails!

To everone, visable or otherwise, I would like to start an email list so that when Gripology hits the shelves, I can send you an email and let you know. I will not be sending you other emails, as I understand the pains of unsolisited junkmail. I get about 20 a day. Spam filter my fanny.

I am also working on making t-shirts with the gripology logo (and which won't run when they get wet) which I will be giving away in various contests. I'll probably wait untill I get a few more followers.

Cheers!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Okay, I've given up trying to load the image, so here's my laboriously re-written version . . . Ok, its only a few globes, but still. . . Now remember, these are all fresnels. If you have any you'd like to add, please post them! I do have a question, though. Whats the differnece between the Bi-Post, 2-Pin, and 2-post? My first inclination is to say they're just different words for the same thing, but I'm not quite sure. Anyone care to illuminate us? I had to pull this info from all over the place, so I think this is another case of terms gone wild. Check out the "Bayonett Base" and the "2 Contact Bayonett". Same thing? Any globe experts out there?

Name..........Watts..........Type.............................Instruments

CYX............2000w........Double Ended.............Arri 2K, Mole Jr 2K & Baby Jr, Strand 2K
EGR...........750w...........2-pin............................Arri 1K, Mole 1K & Baby Baby 1K
EGT...........1000w.......Med Bi-Post................Arri 1K, Mole 1K
ESP............150w..........Bayonett Base.............Lowel Omni, Arri 150, Mole Inky & Tiny Mole,
.............................................................................LTM Pepper 100 & 200
ESR..........100w...........2 Contact Bayonett.....Arri 150 Fresnel, Mole Inky, Mini Mole & Tiny Mole,
.............................................................................LTM Pepper 100 & 200
EYL.........100w............2-Pin............................Arrilite 600, Mole Teenie-Weenie
FEV.........200w............2 Contact Bayonett....Arri 150, Inky Mole, LTM Pepper 200
FKW.........300w..........Bi-Post.........................Arri 300 & 650, Mole Betweenie 300 &
...........................................................................Tweenie II 650
FRG.........500w...........Bi-Post....................... Lowel 650, Arri 650, Mole Tweenie II 650
FRK.........650w...........Med Prefocus 2-Pin...Lowel 650, Arri Tweenie II 650

A little messy, but theres only so much a blog can do!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Globe Chart Issues

I've been trying to post a sample of my globe look up chart, but every time I try to upload it its blurry. I'll get it eventually. I'm also planning to have some promo posters available at Wooden Nickle by the end of the week, and will finally be carrying around some business cards.

Remember to sign up on this blog so you can be notified when Gripology hits the shelves.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

I just returned from a great meeting at Matthews Studio Equipment in Burbank. Not only are they going to let me use their images in my book, but Bob Kulesh cleared up something that's been driving me crazy lately. In my last post, I stated that in the world of stands, the term "baby" refers not to the size of the stand itself, but to the 5/8 inch pin these stands posess. Then I ran across the "baby junior stand", which confused me, since there didn't seem to be a 5/8 pin anywhere on the thing. This, Bob tells me, is because there isn't one. A "baby junior" is just a small junior stand with the larger 1- 1/8 inch receiver. I shake my fist at the sky and yell aaaaarrrrrrgh!

Saturday, July 11, 2009


Tip of the Moment:
The use of "baby" to describe a piece of gear has nothing to do with it's size, but rather what type of adapter it uses. "Baby" refers to the 5/8ths inch, or "baby" pin onto which the instrument or clamp is attached. A small combo stand for instance is not called a "Baby Combo", but a "Low Boy Combo". Other terms for a Baby Pin include "Baby Spud" and "Junior Stand Adapter". Please feel free to add any other terms you've heard for this piece of gear.

Friday, July 10, 2009

What it's all about......

This guide is for those of us who need to know what a piece of grip gear is called, or what it looks like, but not necessarily how to use it.

Its for the field producers who have to have to order equipment they've never seen before, rental house sales people who have fill orders for lighting instruments that have five different names, the shop techs who have to know the difference between a Beefy Baby and a Low Boy, and the PA who has to pick it all up and deliver it without getting yelled at.

With a comprehensive index that that allows the cross-referencing multiple terms, a fully illustrated guide to everything from c-stands to the most popular lighting instruments, as well as reference tables including gel comparisons by vendor and a globe look up chart to help you find the right bulb for your instruments, Gripology is sure to become an invaluable resource on the bookshelf of professionals and students alike.

Gripology - Coming soon to a bookstore near you!