slotperfect 7 #1 June 11, 2002 1) If my tandem student is someone I know very well, I may have a little fun with them for the video/pics, like give them moose antlers. If it's a regular paying customer, I am more conservative - just smile a lot. I just feel that if I'm over-animated, it takes the focus away from the student, and it's their video/pics. I want the video/pics to be so good that they show them off to everyone they know. In that way I can share my love of the sport directly with one, and indirectly with many. What do y'all TM's prefer?2) My friend wears mirrored goggles, giving clear ones to his students. He feels that it kind of neutralizes the TM so the wide open eyes (hopefully, anyway) of the student stand out more. I jumped on board with this; I like mirrored lenses anyway. Opinions please?3) Please share your favorite camera-geeking poses (exit, drogue fall, opening) that have resulted in great pictures.Respectfully,SP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gravitysurf808 0 #2 June 11, 2002 Quote#1 it takes the focus away from the student, and it's their video/pics.Couldn't agree more SP! Although my TM/I rating is a bit expired ,<>, I used to work with some pretty animated TM's and it tends to take away from the student's video and their overall first jump experience. I've eyewitnessed this by the looks on their faces while watching the video which includes their TM's antics. It can tend to 'cheapen' their whole first jump experience.Quote#2 My friend wears mirrored goggles, giving clear ones to his studentsNice one ~smile~! [imho] They (students) came out to do this jump for themselves and even though I as a tandem master might be bored sh*tl*ss because I'm doing my 10th 'passenger strapped to me' load of the day does not give me the excuse to try and play a comedian in the sky for the simple reason to amuse myself and fellow experienced jumpers in the video room after the sun goes down. [/imho].Plus then the T/M can look really cool! ...totally J/K!!!!!!!Quote #3 Please share your favorite camera-geeking poses (exit, drogue fall, opening) Being in 'drogue fall' is always a beautiful thing in every TM's heart me thinks!!!"This is the 4th time I've been late for work this week!!...and it's only Tuesday!" ...Cheech and Chong Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sinkster 0 #3 June 11, 2002 yeah, I totally agree that a TM shouldn't be too much of a clown unless they know the person or that it will be ok.I'm just a newbie skydiver, but I've watched a lot of tandem videos and some of them (while funny), were kind of ridiculous in how much attention it seemed the TM was trying to get. Antics include antlers, tongue sticking out, covering eyes of student for a second, swimming hands, praying hands, assorted silly faces, and my all time favorite," the put a head lock on student and swing your fist out like your bashing the student in the head several times" trick.Some of those are appropriate IMO, but some are not (like head bashing) because they do really seem to cheapen and take away from the experience of the student.I know some ppl will say to "lighten up", but I guess to me that first jump was just a too special and spiritual experience to treat like that. Of course, some ppl probably don't think the same way and just enjoy the crazyness which is fine, but I think that it's best to play it safe. (Course I didn't do a tandem first jump either b/c I didn't want to be butt to nut with any dude, and I didn't want to be a "turista" either, but that's another story! ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gravitysurf808 0 #4 June 11, 2002 Quotethe put a head lock on student and swing your fist out like your bashing the student in the head several times" trick.You've seen this???(BTW: Congrats on your 'A' !!!)Quotebut I think that it's best to play it safe. Never lose that attitude!!!!!!!Making funny faces in freefall doesn't make a skydiver 'unsafe'. Slotperfect asked about the student experience overall.Aloha"This is the 4th time I've been late for work this week!!...and it's only Tuesday!" ...Cheech and Chong Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #5 June 11, 2002 When I was doing tandems I kept it pretty conservative. I'd throw a thumbs up at the camera man or pull the "sleeping instructor" occasionally, but most of the time I was just smiling and flying. I felt that they were paying big bucks for what would likely be a one time experience; the camera flier wasn't there to take pictures of me. My favorite camera geeks... in the plane, I'd look at the camera guy and mime biting my fingernails with a wide eyed look of terror. In freefall I liked the "sleeping instructor" - cross arms above the student's head, turn your head to one side and feign sleep. Always got a great reaction from the students when they watched it later. One pretty straightforward geek that I was really happy with - the camera guy came down alongside the drogue and got next to us just as I was doing my handle checks. I looked over at him and stuck my tongue out, all the while continuing to touch handles in the right order then give the student the thumbs up. Looked sweet on the video pull & flare,lisa"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda sez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #6 June 11, 2002 Quoteall the while continuing to touch handles in the right orderAs long as you put them all in the right place!!!! Unlike SOMEONE I know....."Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sinkster 0 #7 June 11, 2002 Thanks gravitysurf! Yeah, I've seen that, and it was pretty funny to watch and the student was a young guy who laughed watching it so I don't think it mattered.When I said "play it safe" I meant not in regard to actual safety (although I do try to be safe) but just to how to act with the student in freefall. Meaning, better to just be serious and risk not getting some laughs than detract from the overall experience or cheapen it in the student's eyes at least.But to each his own I guess! I don't wanna be a killjoy or anything, that's just my opinion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #8 June 11, 2002 I agree with all your points. It is not my skydive. It belongs to the student. I will interact with them in freefall by giving a thumbs up and going for an occasional high five. The only problem is that I am so damn good looking people can't help but focus on me...................J/K = JokingSebazz........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChromeBoy 0 #9 June 11, 2002 QuoteI am so damn good looking people can't help but focus on me.......You are sexy Sebazz. If I was a gay man, I would want to date you Sebazz! ...j/k...Blue Happiness Stuff,Chrome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #10 June 11, 2002 QuoteIf I was a gay man, I would want to date you Sebazz! ...j/k...Joking....yeah right......"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #11 June 11, 2002 I am a bit worried right now...... Sebazz........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #12 June 11, 2002 Covering the student's eyes with your hands??? Putting the student in a headlock??? If you are actually serious, you have witnessed some seriously unsafe practices by a very stupid tandem instructor. Once I am under drogue and check my handles, I'll give the cameraman a thumbs up. Thats it for camera geeking. I do wear mirrored sunglasses.One thing I do like to do is grab the students wrists (so I have their hands under mine and in control) and bank them into a turn like an airplane. Looks pretty cool on video.Be safe up there! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
