TI - vidiot landing shot coordination

[livendive 8]

This seems like a problem that should be ridiculously easy to solve, but it's not proving so. With multiple TIs jumping multiple canopies, and multiple vidiots doing the same, how do you coordinate things so the right TI lands next to the right vidiot? When I was at a Cessna DZ, it was pretty simple for the vidiot to know which tandem was me (often the only tandem in the air). I also knew all the vidiot's canopies and would look for them in the landing area and shoot accuracy on them (works great except for the one guy who's now made a habit of dropping his gear and walking away from it). Now running a bigger program, I'm seeing some issues where the TI can't find the vidiot amongst all the other ground-bound folks, and the landing shot ends up being from a hundred or more feet away. I've yelled down at the landing area while on my downwind leg for my camera to wave, but that seems unprofessional. How do the rest of you at turbine DZs coordinate this?

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[jtval 0]

even when we have our caravans It works easy.

theres usually only 3 tandem in he air MAX.
I am bright yellow and blue easy to see.
I also try to rememebre which canopy was my tandem and make sure to be there when they land.

I also turn my cam from man focus to auto in case I have to zoom.


but, unless there are some winds that kick up after I land I usually am with 10 feet of the landing.


if I am no the other camera s film the landings. we cover each other.

I.E. during cutuaways he cam may no make it all the way back. I film his student land.

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[monkycndo 0]

At Hollister, there is the designated tandem landing area. All the vidiots are there waiting for the TIs. The TIs do a good job creating separation so there is plenty of time for the vidiot to identify their student and put themselves into position for the moneyshot. Works well for them.

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

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[ParaShoot 0]

I don't have that problem because I follow the tandem under canopy as well. After opening I stay in brakes until the tandem crosses my way. I make some shots from several angles and at about 1.000 ft. I start to follow the pattern. At the last part I get close and next to the landing tandem to film the landing itself and get the reaction of the passenger. Most of the times I'm able to land in a kind of blindman just 2 meters from the passenger. Really cool shots.

Examples can be seen on RealXstream at our DZ website www.paracentrumteuge.nl Not all videos are mine so you probably have to watch a few.

Henny

** Know what you say but don't say all you know. **

[Laszloimage 0]

Some TI's have no problem to work with the camera man, others really have to work just to survive the landing...
As a video dude you could make a suggestion, but you always have to rember the reason you're shooting the video because the student wants it and the TI's is doing the actual job.
In the other hand unfortunately there are TI's with lots of jumps but still not capable to work with the camera man. (It's just like some people have more tallent to play music than others).
...yeh I'm not happy when I have to film a "not tallented"
Normally some information exchange improves the situation.
Personally I have plenty of expirince being both sides of the video camera, so I don't have a problem to find my camera person wheter it's the exit or the landing.
-Laszlo-

[davelepka 4]

Try this, " Hey tandem guy, where do you want land?". Listen to the response, then say," OK, I'll be there", and actually be there.

Then, when you're filming the opening, actually look at the canopy, and see what color it is.

[livendive 8]

Quote

Try this, " Hey tandem guy, where do you want land?". Listen to the response, then say," OK, I'll be there", and actually be there.

Then, when you're filming the opening, actually look at the canopy, and see what color it is.

I'm usually on the other end of the equation. When I fill in as a vidiot, I know which TI is jumping which canopy and where each usually likes to land. However, I'm normally jumping as a TI, and the problem is trying to figure out which of those people in the landing area is my camera guy. Still, your suggestion above makes sense.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[VideoFly 0]

Great advice. It works for me.
Also, try wearing identifiable colors that the TI can easily find.

[jtval 0]

I'm gonna get a 3 ft mirror that I can shine at him when he comes in for final so he knows its me.

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