CineGear 2009 – Thank You

So I attended the last two and a half hours of CineGear on Saturday.   5-minutes after I walked in I ran into some camera crew friends I hadn’t seen in a while.  I had some specific business to do over at Rosco and hadn’t planned on standing in any one place for long, but moments later I was convinced to take the Hot Rod PL Deluxe kit out of the case and show off.

I wish I had worn sunblock, because the next thing I knew I had given away 70 business cards, and security was kicking everyone out of Paramount because the show was over.  From the moment I pulled the Camera/Lens/Hot Rod PL out of the case it was an endless sea of people coming up to me asking to handhold the rig.  In the time I was there more people played with the Hot Rod PL than I can possibly remember including; Wally Pfister, Richard Crudo, David Mullen, Geoff Boyle, Jim Matlosz, Ron Baldwin, John Hankammer, Michael Bratowski, Todd Sansone, Carl Ratajski, Florian Stadler and of course Steve Roach (of s.two fame).

I wish I arrived sooner- and really wish I had remembered to wear sunblock (ouch!)

The terrible thing is that the time flew by so fast I never made it to Rosco.  I’ll now have to call them tomorrow to apologize.  After all the CineGear attendees got the boot from Paramount security, I took a trip over to the CML CineGear party hosted by Birns and Sawyer.  It was a delight to reconnect with people I hadn’t seen in over a year and meet a few people face-to-face for the first time.  The last several years I either had to work CineGear, or was working freelance during CineGear and was never able to attend the CML events.

A few people I need to single out with thanks for Saturday night, Patrick Myles and Wayne Loukes- the lenses were extremely well received!  Carlos Acosta- thanks for the words of wisdom.  Bill Hogan, you are tireless advocate- thanks for stealing my stuff, I mean, promoting my business at every opportunity!  Also an apology is due to DP Graham Futerfas.  I could barely speak after so many hours of constant conversation, there was no way I could possibly do one more demonstration and answer another single question.  To make it up to you, I will gladly drive to your house and lend you a Hot Rod PL to play with for a weekend.

I.

Illya Friedman
Many Hats Wearer
Hot Rod Cameras