Tiffen enlists Steadicam inventor for trade show

The Hauppauge cinematography device maker Tiffen Co. has enlisted Garrett Brown, inventor of the Steadicam, to man the company’s booth at an upcoming trade conference.

Brown pioneered Hollywood’s Steadicam revolution in the 1970s as cinematographer on “Rocky” and “The Shining,” and Tiffen bought the rights to the camera stabilizer in 2000.

The event, the International Consumer Electronics Show, is to be held Jan. 10 to 13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Tiffen is enlisting Brown and other industry professionals to demonstrate the Steadicam Merlin and Smoothee, versions of the technology, for iPhones and Flip mini videocameras; as well as Tiffen’s lighting, optical filters, camera bags and software.

The Nevada convention is seen as a global stage for electronics, the company said.

Newsday featured Steve Tiffen, the chief executive, a year ago in an Executive Suite interview. He described his plan for company growth: "Our mission is to help create the world's greatest images. So we grow by continuing to add products that help people do that."

Steve Tiffen, above, is seen on the floor of his family's manufacturing business, the Tiffen Co. (Aug. 11, 2010)