About
"If I invent something it's because I want something and it isn’t there. People tend to ignore what’s missing and don’t think about it. Everything I’ve tackled is because I wanted it."
In his ninety-minute interview, Garrett Brown talks about his early life, and his attempts to be a folk singer, and later a writer. He recalls creating and voicing an award-winning series of radio commercials, which he used to bankroll his own film company. He recounts making a series of short films for Sesame Street, then in its first season. He discusses in depth his invention of the Steadicam and the Arm, the two inventions for which he is best known, and later receiving a special Academy award for them. Brown chronicles working on several feature films, including for director Stanley Kubrick. He sums up with his process of invention and advice to aspiring inventors. Dan McHenry conducted the interview in a joint venture with Temple University for the Living Television Collection on April 12, 2006 in Philadelphia, PA.
Highlights
Garrett Brown on inventing the Steadicam and the Arm
Garrett Brown on getting a special Academy Award for inventing the Steadicam
Garrett Brown on working on short films for Sesame Street
Garrett Brown on working on various feature films using the Steadicam, including "Rocky," "Marathon Man," and "Bound for Glory"
Garrett Brown on learning how to make a film, and on working in advertising
Garrett Brown on winning another special Academy Award for his technical achievements, and on the Flycam
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his folk singing career
On his writing career; on learning how to make a film, and on working in advertising
On winning awards for his work in advertising; on starting his own film company; on working on short films for Sesame Street
On inventing the Steadicam; on inventing the Arm; on how the Arm worked
Chapter 2
On the final form of the Steadicam; on how the Steadicam works; on working on various feature films using the Steadicam
On getting a special Academy Award for inventing the Steadicam; on working on "The Shining" with Stanley Kubrick; on teaching Steadicam workshops, and on inventing the Skycam
On winning another special Academy Award for his technical achievements, and on the Flycam; on his process of invention; on advice for aspiring inventors, and on then-current projects
Shows
Sesame Street
Garrett Brown on working on short films for Sesame Street
Topics
Technological Innovation
Garrett Brown on inventing the Steadicam and the Arm
Garrett Brown on inventing the Skycam
Garrett Brown on the final form of the Steadicam, and on how the Steadicam works
Professions
Inventor
Garrett Brown on inventing the Steadicam and the Arm
Garrett Brown on the final form of the Steadicam
Garrett Brown on how the Steadicam works
Garrett Brown on teaching Steadicam workshops
Garrett Brown on what it takes to be a successful Steadicam operator
Garrett Brown on inventing the Skycam, often used for sports on television
Garrett Brown on his process of invention
Garrett Brown on advice for aspiring inventors
Technology Innovators
Garrett Brown on inventing the Steadicam and the Arm
Garrett Brown on the final form of the Steadicam
Garrett Brown on how the Steadicam works
Garrett Brown on teaching Steadicam workshops
Garrett Brown on what it takes to be a successful Steadicam operator
Garrett Brown on inventing the Skycam, often used for sports on television
Garrett Brown on his process of invention
Garrett Brown on advice for aspiring inventors
Genres
Sports
Garrett Brown on inventing the Skycam, often used for sporting events
People
Stanley Kubrick
Garrett Brown on working on "The Shining" with Stanley Kubrick