Volume 4, Issue 1, page 2

Return | Newsletter Back Issues | Previous | Next

Above: Super PeeWee® III, Hustler II and Pedolly® were displayed at Chapman's booth during the ShowBiz Expo East Jan. 5-7.

Chapman Introduces Latest Technologies at Showbiz Expo East

New York, NY--Days before a blizzard grounded would-be travelers, the fifth annual ShowBiz Production Expo commenced Jan. 5-7 at the New York Hilton and Towers in Manhattan.

Attendees from areas in and around New York, as well as, Canada,Virginia, Washington, DC and other parts of the east coast, showed up and were excited to see Chapman's new line of products. The CS Base and Lenny Arm II were popular and many were impressed with the new stop valve system on the Super PeeWee® III and Hybrid II Dollies. Within the 10' x 20' booth was the Hustler II Camera Dolly displaying its new features, the Universal Stop Valve System, AR Battery Tray, and new built-in track wheels. The Pedolly® Pedestals received positive response from television executives and camera operators. Most of the equipment was added to Panavision New York inventory making it more readily available on the east coast.

"Panavision's new Frazier lens and camera were mounted on Chapman's new Lenny Mini using the Pedolly® Pedestal as a base. The vertical movement of the column, in combination with the Lenny Mini movement, was very popular and enabled even more versatility in camera angles," explained Marketing Director, Christine Huenergardt.

"It was exciting to spend time with so many like-minded people who are on the cutting edge of development," said Peg O'Keef, who was among Chapman's Florida staff to man the Chapman booth.

On set with...dolly grip Audie Aragon

With nearly 20 years experience in the industry, Audie Aragon has worked on such feature films as Speechless, Exit to Eden, The Net, Primal Fear and Under Siege 2. His recently completed project, Phenomenon, starring Robert Duvall and John Travolta, should hit the theaters this Spring. While waiting for his next feature film, Men in Black, which begins shooting in five months, Audie is running the second unit for Sony Picture's, The Rock, starring Sean Connery as the lone escapee of Alcatraz prison.

Culver City, CA--Amidst violent explosions on the elaborate set of Sony Pictures' latest feature film, The Rock, Dolly Grip, Audie Aragon, took time out with Chapmans' Steve Galluzzo, to reflect on his career and share his views on modern filming techniques, equipment, and technology.

Chapman: What types of unusual shots have you obtained using Chapman equipment and what type of equipment did you use?

Audie: I've been able to achieve shots that would be impossible without Leonard's equipment, particularly low-angle shots using the Super PeeWee® III's Universal Head Mount in the drop-down mode.

Chapman: What advice would you give to aspiring grips in regards to learning the equipment?

Audie: Practice. Practice. Practice. I'd also encourage them to go to Chapman and get hands-on experience right there at the facility. Go there and set up certain Lenny Arm configurations just to become more familiar with how to assemble them and what they can do. Chapman is more than willing to work with people on how to use its equipment --take advantage of the opportunity and learn as much as you can. The more knowledge you have about the equipment, the more creative you can be on set.

Chapman: How are your equipment needs effectively met by Chapman?

Audie: All of Chapman's products are made for a reason--because someone asked if it could be done. Necessity is the mother of invention. Leonard is so accommodating as far as designing new accessories and that allows me to get just the shot I'm looking for. It makes my job so much easier.

Chapman: What equipment and/or accessories do you find you use the most and what types of shots do they help with?

Audie: The Super PeeWee® III--or as I like to call it--the "Super PeeWee III Stealth dolly"--that's my dolly. I use it for everything. I especially like the new features Leonard has added to it, like the stop valve system, dampeners and XOX leveling head. When I tell a DP that I can switch the Super PeeWee III to a drop down mode and be ready to shoot in 10 seconds, they just say,"Wow!"

Chapman: How would you rate Chapman's service in comparison to other companies?

Audie: Don't change a thing. Everyone's so accommodating. I can't say enough about how helpful all the people I've worked with have been.

Chapman: Have you set any personal goals for yourself as far as progressing in the industry?

Audie: I just want to keep working and keep making more pictures. I take things one day at a time because things in this business can change so quickly. I've really enjoyed the first 19 years and I look forward to the next 19. I'll just ride the pony until it bucks me off!

Chapman: What movie did you enjoy working on the most? Which was the most well done?

Audie: I can't say I have a favorite. Each picture has something. It's hard to pick one film I thought was head-and-shoulders above the rest. I like to look at things more in terms of how much fun I had and who were the nicest people to work with. That's what I remember the most about a picture--the crew.

Chapman: Having worked on both, what's the difference between TV shows and movies?

Audie: Obviously, the biggest difference is budget. You have more funds available for most feature films, which is why I prefer to do them. As a grip, I have a lot more creative options when the budget allows me to obtain what I need to in order to get the shot the Director of Photography wants. Some TV shows have a limited budget, thus limiting the equipment I can use to get the shot.

Chapman: Any final comments you'd like to make concerning Chapman/Leonard?

Audie: The Chapman name is synonymous with the industry. You can't make a picture nowadays without using some type of Chapman equipment--Chapman's equipment is in every production. Leonard has set the standard for everyone else to follow.

Above: The crew of Sony picture's "The Rock" includes, from left, Jamey Dunford (Grip), Lonnie Leslie (Grip), Brad Rea (Dolly Grip), Audie Aragon (2nd unit Key Grip), Jim Dunford (Key Grip), Les Tomita (Best Boy), Jack Glenn (Dolly Grip). Rick Colosimo (Grip).