Video assistant speaks about ND tragedy, safety
Self-shared interview with a film assistant--one with responsibilities that are awfully similar to the victim of the Notre Dame tragedy, Declan Sullivan--about the nature of safety in his job and his relationship with coaches. This is really eye-opening stuff. It's not a hit piece and it's not a call for sweeping reform, but I think it helps why Declan got into that lift on Wednesday, against all of his better judgment. Every question was asked for a reason, and every answer helps us understand this tragedy.
over 1 year ago
Adam Jacobi
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Nice interview
It’s just sad how avoidable this tragedy was.
Transitive Rankings: It's not who you beat, it's who they beat. Post Week 8: Big Ten and all FBS
Reality has a little-known Northwestern bias
NU prez knows how to get PUMPED
Fortunately my severe fear of heights keeps me out of situations like this. Unfortunately it also keeps me out of situations like jumping off the short diving board.
"They're not people, James Ingram. They're Jimmy Buffett fans."
The question now
is whether there was criminal negligence or recklessness at ND. I have no doubt they’re going to be paying a big settlement for wrongful death.
Also fuck Jack Swarbrick for trying to act like the wind was sudden and unexpected when the lift fell. Sustained winds were at least 25 mph all afternoon with gusts much higher than that.
Schadenfreude ist die schoenste Freude
His account of the nature of the wind may very well be accurate
and I actually don’t see much use in questioning the veracity of his statement as he worded it.
Swarbrick’s major problem, however, is that the weather forecasts uniformly predicted severe wind gusts, and the weather in states to Indiana’s west had borne that out pretty convincingly. There was no justifiable reason for people in South Bend to distrust the wind warnings that had been in place—warnings that even Sullivan was acutely aware of, as his Twitter updates indicated at the time.
I understand what Swarbrick’s trying to do, but it absolutely will not absolve the university of gigantic penalties if a judge is forced to rule on a wrongful death suit. It’s probably in ND’s best interests to settle out of court so they can keep the payout secret; in public, it’s hard to imagine they’ll avoid paying out eight figures in a case like this.
Ceci n'est pas un blogue.
OSHA will be all over them as well.
"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me
by BStylin Hawkye on Oct 29, 2010 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Which they should be
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Oct 29, 2010 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
This sounds very familiar
Great interview — and hits close to home. I have worked for many years in film production with a dozens of Directors, ADs, and DPs, and I can say that ALMOST without exception, they tend to have ‘tunnel vision’ and 100% of their energy is focused on getting what they need to complete their project. These people aren’t being malicious, they just tend to be very focused/driven and don’t like anyone telling them they can’t have what they need when they want it. That’s why it’s critical to have an administrative type in the loop who can override these people who tend to be very headstrong and in some cases intimidating. In recent years there has been a bit more awareness of safety issues (particularly after a camera assistant in LA died when he fell asleep driving home after working 24+ hours straight). It’s gotten better, but more needs to be done.
What's your deal?
by PCarroll_u_sm(j)irk on Oct 29, 2010 2:20 AM CDT reply actions
Is there a reason why
some permanent towers can’t be built? At least for the end zone shots? Sidelines I can see a problem with since they would probably need to move it back and forth.
Going a step further, with the low cost of modern tech, somebody needs to design a cart with a telescoping pole that has a camera mounted on the end. All the tech already exists, it’s a matter of putting it together. Completely mobile, low cost and nobody is up in the air. Any movement can be easily taken care of in post-production with software, that also already exists.
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
Coaches like multiple angles and the flexibility that a scissor-lift offers.
Many schools have permanent towers or mount cameras on buildings surrounding the practice facility. I believe Notre Dame had plans for at least one permanent tower in the practice facility.
@jschnauzer
Bloggin' at http://joepasdoghouse.com
There's a safer, more flexible way to shoot
These schools should be using some form of camera towers with remote camera heads that can be operated from the ground. Using a remote head system, they can either shoot from a stationary position, or adding a boom arm, they can position the camera out over the field. These towers can be moved and are stabilized with guide wires. They’re more expensive than a scissor lift, but what’s some added expense compared to a human life?
What's your deal?
by PCarroll_u_sm(j)irk on Oct 29, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
And here's an example
I found this in less than one minute using Google
http://www.eplanit.com/mobile-construction-camera.aspx
"If you need a rah-rah speech at halftime, you’re playing the wrong sport." - Pat Angerer
What sucks is that it usually takes something like this to make a change
"I know you're from Middle America, and sometimes you feel like you're representing more than just a school or a conference, maybe an entire group of American citizens out there."
by Twin Cities Hawk on Oct 29, 2010 11:04 AM CDT reply actions
Just another reason to dislike Brian Kelly.
Even though he’s probably not the one that made the call on this.
Brian Kelly is the FOOTBALL Coach
Not the video director.
That kid should not have been up there with a High Wind WARNING.
Coaches can’t be forcing people up there if the video director says “no”, but they also can’t be watching every single thing that goes on their team.
Put a system in place and follow the guidelines on the equipment being used.
He probably had influence, though.
That’s probably the number one thing that I got out of this article: Never underestimate the influence the coach(es) can have on everything that goes on on a football team.
"Yeah, and that’s bullshit, cause Boise plays Kirkwood every other weekend".
Smokin' Herb Grigsby's Mom (+1, I say)
I saw a remote camera tower at a H.S. game last fall
If a class 3A Iowa school can afford this, I suspect a major college football program can as well.
P.S. ~ Good work, Oops Pow
Excuse me for my bellicosity. And spelling. Bellicosity and spelling.
by Blackheartnopants on Oct 29, 2010 11:45 AM CDT reply actions
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