Film and Video Camera Operators Course

2-Day Film and Digital Video Camera Operators Course

Birmingham, UK.

If you are serious about working on high profile, big budget productions, knowledge and experience of film camera operation is essential.

The "2-Day Film and Digital Video Camera Operators Course" teaches the required professional skills that Producers and Cinematographers look for when recruiting for the Film and TV industry.

This course is specifically desiged for those looking for a professional career in the camera departments on Feature Films and Television Drama.

Combining THEORY and PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION, the course is packed with valuable information and offers a real insight into professional Film and Video cameras (Arriflex 16mmSR & Digibeta) with insider advice and knowledge of how to break into the film industry.

Day 1

Introduction:

An overview of the Cinematographer's career structure.

• Assistant Camera/Clapper Loader
• Focus Puller
• Camera Operator
• Director of Photography/Lighting Camera/Cinematographer

The Camera Assistant:

Becoming an established professional camera assistant is your first step to a career on big budget, prestigious productions.

• The work of a Film Camera Assistant - overview

• The specific duties and responsibilities of the Film Camera Assistant.
• An introduction to the Arriflex SR Film Camera. (Practical)
• Care of Camera body and Lenses. (Practical)
• Building the Camera in preparation for a shoot. (Practical)
• Loading Film Magazines. (Practical)
• Loading the Film Camera (Practical)
• Film Stocks.
• Checking the Film Gate. (Practical)
• Camera log sheets.
• The need for specialization in Camera Departments.

Day 2

Film Camera Operating Basics:

• Prime Lenses and High Speed Distagons.
• Using the Zoom Lens. (Practical)
• Focus and Depth of Field.
• Lens Diopters and the Macro Lens.
• Exposure & using the Light Meter. (Practical)
• Colour Correction Filters and White Balance.
• Neutral Density Filters.
• Use of Film Stocks for 16mm, Super 16mm and 35 mm.
  

Each student will be given instruction on camera operating techniques using a professional digital format (Sony Digibeta Camera).

Going Freelance:

Although staff jobs are available in TV the vast majority of film crew are freelance.

This section of the course discusses how to establish yourself as a successful freelancer and what pitfalls to avoid.

• Going freelance in the Film and TV industry.
• The Business of being Freelance.
• Booking Agencies.
• Advantages of being Freelance.
• Key things to avoid when going freelance.

Chris Weaver, Director of Photography will run the course.

Chris has extensive experience in the Film and TV industry. He started his career as a film cameraman working on high profile current affairs programmes and documentaries for the BBC and Independent Television and such as Panorama, Horizon, QED and 40 Minutes. He has worked as Director of Photography on numerous music videos and 35mm Feature Films as well as BAFTA winning TV programmes.

With a career spanning over 35 years in the Film and TV industry, Chris has worked with numerous distinguished professionals including Michael Caine, Oliver Reed, Michael Jackson and many more.

Costs include VAT

Places are limited to 6 people per course to allow practical one-on-one training.