dannybishop Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 Hello everyone, I read with interest Gordens e-mail and like him I am going to do a steadicam work shop in the US and am hoping to do one in the next couple of months. But my question is slightly different. I have been doing my own research and was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what course to come over and do in the US as I live and work in London. Its obviously a big deal, as I'll be spending alot of money to come over and I want to make the right decision.. I have some experince and have access to a rig here and I am starting to put alot of practice in and have worked on shorts/music promos etc, but now I want to do a course.. and would just like to hear peoples opinions and experinces on courses and any other helpful hints about them.. thanks very much danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Howard J Smith Posted January 9, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 9, 2005 Hi Danny If you are interested in doing a course in the UK, we do one on one 'steadicam' workshops teaching everything from advanced to beginners. If you are interested please email or call me. Many thanks Howard J Smith MK-V +44 (0)161-480-3007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members jay kilroy Posted January 10, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Although I am bias, I'll throw this out there anyway. The SOA workshop in Pennsylvania is a great workshop. I will not toot our horn too loud here, but I am sure others will agree. Please feel free to read all about our workshop on our web page SOA. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Especially here where others who have been to the SOA workshop can help answer. Good luck with your decision, with all the good choices I am sure it's not easy. Jay Kilroy VP, SOA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulEdwards Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 Hi Danny, Have you had a look at the National Film School course at Beaconsfield? I originally did that course and I don't think I could have had a better experience. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Cheers, Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmf Posted April 9, 2005 Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 I know your post was from a few months ago, but check this out, if you want to come to the States and spend a week in the loveley state of Maine: http://www.theworkshops.com/catalog/course...127&SchoolID=21 I haven't taken it (I'm thinking about it), but can tell you that these workshops in general are quite good. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ari Gertler Posted April 9, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 9, 2005 I have done a few different courses in the U.S. on the East Coast and the West. Without a doubt the best course that I have taken (along with many other Ops that done multiple courses) is the PRO-GPI workshop. The only problem is that they had to cancel the latest one. If you commit to coming to the US that may pose a very expensive problem. The major difference with the PRO vs. other forms of training is that at the PRO workshop they have some of the most respected and talented Steadicam Ops in the world helping out. The past workshops have had the likes of David Emmerichs, Chris Haarhoff, Jacques Jouffret, Mark O?Kane, Greg Lundsgaard, James "Jimi" Muro, plus many, many more. Watching how all of these great Ops operate differently is incredible. It allows the student to try out different methods of using the Steadicam rig. They may not be professional teachers, but they all have such a strong grasp of how to use the rig along with years of trial and error on sets around the world in different types of shooting conditions. I learned how they approach a particular shot, from first hearing about it to setting the rig, practice, practice, try a different way, practice then execute. The feedback that I received from all of these operators at the PRO days changed my skill level and technique about 60%-70%. The other great aspect was the PRO workshop used a variety of professional film camera set ups (Panavision 35, ARRI 35mm, ARRI 16mm, plus video and others, all able to change lenses and matte boxes and mags). Using different cameras change the entire dynamics of "flying". The other workshop I took had only video with steel weight cages (though I hear that this may have changed). Before I go on, let me say that the experiences at the "other" workshop are from Four years ago. The program that they teach now may be entirely different. The major problem that I had with the other workshop is that they teach basically only the CORRECT way to operate. This is fine for a beginner but it leaves a lot of other great techniques outside the realm of their lessons. I have found that there is not a correct way to operate a rig. Some like a fast rig and others like it slow. Long post vs short post. Low mode hand above vs. below. monitor in close, or far. Yoke hand close to gimbal vs. closer to and resting on the arm. Keeping the rig/camera flat (not setting tilt) and booming for height adjustment etc. etc. I could go on and on about different ways to achieve a particular shot that I learned at the PRO workshop. Yes I took notes, I had to. The other workshop never had us work on what is in my opinion one of the most difficult aspects of Steadicam: Not what the DP wants but what they DON'T want. For example, the lights, flags, the boom operator, cables, etc. etc. etc. A good skill that I learned from some of the Ops at PRO was not only what we were filming but giving the students boundaries of what not to get in the shot. At PRO (and when I practice by myself) there were no lights or flags, but it is easy enough to use other items around you as objects that you don't want in the frame (telephone poll, the left side of the doorway, the fire hydrent, pretend a car is that damn sound cart just on the edge of frame etc.). I hope this helps, Ari Gertler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tery Thompson Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Ari (great name), Thanks for the info on the Pro class. Where was it held and how much did it cost when you took it? Tery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas English Posted June 28, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Is it true that there will be an intermidiary course happening in Paris at some point soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Benjamin Treplin Posted June 28, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 I hope it is ok to forward this message although I don't understand why it wasn't posted here. Anyway. Posted on CML-PRO 21.06.05 --- For the first time in Paris at the Studios d'Aubervilliers From September 18th to the 25th 2005 Under the directon of Garret Brown Inventor of the Steadicam with the assistance of Jerry Holway Tiffen, Steadicam, Cartoni France and Steadiloc (the steadicam rental division of Groupe TSF) are proud to present the: "2005 European International Steadicam Workshop" The workshop is aimed at professional cameramen and steadicam operators who whish to hone their skills and confront their experiences with the world's leading steadicam operators. The workshop is limited to 24 participants, with 6 world class instructors and at least 6 Steadicams and all the new technologies shown at IBC in Amsterdam. (worshops will be held in English and French) Price of the workshop is 2500 Euros + VAT where applicable. Four star accomodations in Paris 800?. Down payment at reservation 800?. INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS: Tiphanie LANDRY: steadicam@tsf.fr Regis PROSPER: regis.prosper@cartonifrance.com ------------------------------------------------- Hope to meet some of you there! Danys BRUYERE Director of Operations Groupe TSF Paris --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas English Posted June 28, 2005 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Cheers Benjamin, No it was nt posted here and nor is it on the SOA site. Cheers. I am definately going Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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