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STUDIO & EQUIPMENT UPDATE

A Quarterly Newsletter

Volume 2 Issue 2 Spring/Summer 1994

Football News : New Angles from Chapman Equipment

Chapman would like to congratulate the Dallas Cowboys for winning SUPERBOWL XXVIII.  Excellent camera coverage was viewed on NBC using Chapman's SIDEWINDER, along with the HOT HEAD II remote camera control systems, provided by Chapman Studio Equipment in North Hollywood, CA and Chapman/Leonard Studios in Orlando, Fl.  On the goal lines, titillating coverage was accomplished by the Chapman Sidewinders, allowing cameramen to be positioned over the heads of sideline photographers and shooting right into the middle of all the action.  The advantage of having these dollies was that they could travel from goal line to goal line providing close-up coverage of any point in the field.  The Hot Heads were controlled by operators from Fletcher Chicago and were strategically placed in fixed positions around the Atlanta Dome to provide overhead camera angles.  The Sidewinders were also used in the AFC championship game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.  Chapman has been providing key equipment in the coverage of sporting events for years with the Olympian and Sidewinder camera dollies and now have added the Hot Head II and Power Pod remote camera systems to our inventory.  It was a nice challenge to supply equipment and help achieve special coverage for one of the greatest sporting events in the world, SUPERBOWL XXVIII.
-Steve Miller-

Pedolly® Update

At the present time we have 5 prototype Pedollies available.  However, we will have new units rolling off our production line beginning in August of this year.  These new units are predominately made on computer controlled machinery.  This method of manufacturing provides a revolutionary grade of precision and performance.  The Pedolly's name is based on the fact that this unit can be used as a conventional studio pedestal and dolly.  This idea has been put through some thorough testing.  The units we have available at present have been used in many different ways.  The Pedolly units have been used in both single operator video applications and for film applications, which can use a second man for steering.  This unit can move through doorways with ease and has been operated as a jib arm base.  Many have been operated on track, as well as, stage floors.  The split chassis feature enables all four wheels to stay on the ground.  This feature offers a solution to wavy, rolling, stage floors.  For further information or a demonstration call David Dreben.

New Products

New to Chapman's line of products is Softlube. Softlube is a self lubricating soft tire that eliminates noise along with enhancing performance.  Silicone spray is suggested for the standard polyurethane tires used on the Pedolly®.  The silicone spray cleans and adds lubrication for ease in turning, as well as, eliminating any noise.

Lenny Arm III is soon to be released. The latest version of the Lenny Arm will obtain greater reach and height with more rigidity. The Lenny Arm III will obtain up to 44' (13.4 m) of reach (bearing to bearing) and 47' (14.3 m) of height. This gives proportionately greater reach and height over the Lenny Arm II.  Production model Pedollies are scheduled to come off the line in August.  Coming soon...Super PeeWee® III, with exciting new features.   Look for it in our next issue.