When is the appropriate time to enroll in a workshop?

[Jonathan Tinsley]

I've been looking into the Tiffen workshops more and more lately and have been considering enrolling. How much operating experience do most people usually have while enrolled in these? I ask because I'm relatively inexperienced with Steadicams and I wouldn't want to enroll being WAY too beginner for the course.

 

Also, are the Tiffen workshops for operators who already know their way around the equipment well?

[Brian Freesh]

No such thing as being "too beginner" for a workshop unless it requires proof of prior experience. The Tiffen workshops are mostly for beginners, though i'm sure working operators have taken them as well. Go ahead and sign up for any workshop that will take you, never too early to learn :)

[Louis Puli SOC]

Welcome Jonathan

As Brian has stated about being "too beginner" All of the Tiffen workshops have students of all different skill sets .There have been 1st AC (wanting to up skill),directors (wanting to understand the process),Grips(wanting to become op/steadicam) so there is quite a mixed bag of students that attend workshops .

 

Being a good camera operator /knowing what a good frame is always a good start .

 

Tiffen as you would have read offer several different levels of workshops its up to you to make the choice and get along .All of them are great fun and you meet some other ops from around the world .

Enjoy .

[Jonathan Tinsley]

Thanks Brian and Louis! The feedback is appreciated!

[Rich Cottrell]

I took my steadicam workshop before I ever even tried one on.

Smartest thing I could have done!

 

at the time I was a young TV broadcast camera operator. This was in 2001.

[Shawn Wang]

they prefer little to no experience when attending workshop, that way you have no pre-existing bad routines or knowledge to frustrate you in the workshop.

 

for example, finger above gimbal, tea party hand, etc..

[Jonathan Tinsley]

I've only been suited up a handful of times so this is good to hear!

[Brant S. Fagan SOC]

Take one before deciding on a life path like this and before Eric Fletcher has a chance to post on this thread and cut you to pieces for your choices that differ from his own.

Edited December 1, 2014 by Tim Tyler
Personal attack

[Brant S. Fagan SOC]

I find it interesting that out of the thousands of posts and hundreds of threads, this comment above is censored, merely because I warned someone to make up their own mind before someone else (named above) lashes out because of the OP not choosing his (named above) path in life, career, and/or equipment choices. Truth and honesty are hard for some to accept but when all is said and done, there it remains.

[chris fawcett]

"Moderation in all things, including moderation." Petronius.

[Tim Tyler]

The post was reported to me and I agreed the comment was inappropriate.

[Andrew Stone]

Brian, Louis and Shawn have pretty much summed it up.

 

Depending on where you are coming from the course might seem expensive. You will certainly get your money's worth out of the course in terms of the quality of instruction, access to gear and the food.

 

You also will get a short cut to some knowledge that could save you 10's of thousands of dollars of investment.

[Jason Leeds]

Brian, Louis and Shawn have pretty much summed it up.

 

Depending on where you are coming from the course might seem expensive. You will certainly get your money's worth out of the course in terms of the quality of instruction, access to gear and the food.

 

You also will get a short cut to some knowledge that could save you 10's of thousands of dollars of investment.

 

Andrew's last sentence!

[Jonathan Tinsley]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. One more question. Should I purchase any books before enrolling, or should I just save them for later?

[Tom Wills]

Purchase the book. It's a fantastic read, and you'll have a solid primer when going into the workshop. Then, after the workshop, read it again. And again. And again. Speaking of which, where'd I leave my copy?