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Are the Steadi-Cam Workshops "Worth It?"


Connor Hargreaves

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The workshops are 100% worth it. Any operator who has taken one will tell you that you will learn so much more in a workshop than you will by yourself. It's important that you learn the basics like proper posture, how to walk, how to grip the rig, etc. or else you could develop bad and potentially harmful habits if you try to teach yourself without proper guidance. The workshops are not only fun but are also taught by operators who have been doing Steadicam for years. They're a great place to learn and ask any questions you may have about purchasing your rig or Steadicam in general.

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Hi Connor,

The workshops are one of the most immersive ways to learn Steadicam. I took a Bronze workshop and the SOA workshop as a student, and I've since been an instructor at the SOA, Gold, Silver, and Asbury workshops. You're being taught by people who absolutely love what they do, and their passion comes through in the energy of shots, exercises, and discussions; it's hard not to be inspired and excited to learn.

At the SOA workshop especially, a lot of operators show up to help out throughout the week, which gives you many different voices of experiences, perspectives on career paths, and options of how to achieve the same goal. Ask five operators the same question, you'll get five different answers, and that's a good thing! Listen to everyone, apply what works best for you, and make it your own. 

All the people you'll meet through your workshop are likely future connections for jobs, leads for someone selling used gear, lifelines when gear goes down, sounding boards for working through tough set politics, and if you're lucky, phenomenal friends.

In short, the workshops are worth every penny!

Lisa

 

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I've been doing Steadicam for 25+ years which is over half my life, yet every time I visit a workshop, I'm humbled and inspired by the talent as well as inevitably learning something new! It's like a second honeymoon with this marvelous instrument and career. I highly recommend the workshops.

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Thanks so much for all of the positive opinions on this. 

Follow up question - do people come from all over the world for these workshops, or is it mainly local?

Would it make sense for me, a New York based operator, to go to the Gold workshop coming up at the end of March in San Diego? Or would those participants be mainly California based people? Should I just wait until September for the Silver workshop in Brooklyn to make more NYC contacts?

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Hi Connor, 

Having been to several all over the country - yes, people do come from all over the world, though the majority tend to be local. I had the same question when I was deciding between the Pennsylvania SOA or flying out to CA for a Gold. I'm east coast based, so I decided to do the SOA one. The connections I made there are now some of my greatest friends, and we've worked together countless times. Personally, I'd vote staying local. 

Lisa

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Hey @Jerry Holway I registered for the workshop and am excited to be there this spring! I already put my deposit down and booked my flight and hotel but when the website updated this month I saw where it starts on the 16th now and not the 17th as listed before. I fly in the 16th early that morning. I saw you were on the contact list. Do I need to go about changing my flight and hotel a day earlier? I will arrive in Philadelphia at 9:22am.

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