Wildlife Camera Operator Course

Whether you want to film wildlife as a fascinating hobby, or are hoping for a career as a professional wildlife camera operator, this course will arm you with the knowledge and techniques to create stunning shots and sequences. As camera technology advances apace it can be difficult to know what equipment to use (and then how to use it!), with a high tutor to student ratio, this course is unique in content and value for money. It will answer all the questions you have and many you haven't thought of yet.

This weekend is aimed both at those who already have a camcorder and wish to explore its features in more depth, and try a variety of attachments and ancillary equipment, but also at those who have yet to buy a camera and are confused by all the possibilities. It also introduces the latest technology and camera systems for those who may upgrade their equipment in the future. The knowledge gained will help you choose and use the right gear for your purposes and will save you wasting money on unnecessary or inappropriate technology. The Creative Camerawork element will help you improve your techniques under expert instruction.

The course starts with a series of discussions and is then split into workshops exploring various aspects of camera use in wildlife film-making, including: wide angle, telephoto, macro, scopes, slow motion, and creative techniques. It is taught by wildlife film-maker Mike Linley, Simon Beer - a video camera specialist from Production Gear Ltd., Piers Warren - Principal of Wildeye, independent wildlife filmmaker Adrian Cale, and high speed camera specialist Jonathan Jones.

The location is Whitwell Hall Country Centre in the centre of Norfolk, UK. Accommodation is shared rooms (or there are nearby bed and breakfasts/hotels if you prefer), and there will be excellent home-cooked food.

No experience or equipment is required, but it is recommended you bring your camcorder and tripod if you have one.

Itinerary

Friday: Aim to arrive by 6pm if possible
7pm - evening meal served (no problem if you arrive later)
8.30pm - introductory chat - who we are, who you are, and what we will be doing this weekend.
10pm - time to relax, chat with new friends, and watch wildlife films in the viewing lounge.

Saturday:
8am - breakfast
9am - introduction to different types of cameras suitable for wildlife filming and a discussion of the use of fixed lens camcorders compared with interchangeable lens systems (such as the Canon XL range, JVC GY range, or Sony EX3).
10am - a guide to High Definition, defining 'broadcast quality' and a discussion of future formats and media.
11am - tea break.
11.30am - support systems (tripods, clamps, beanbags etc) and fieldcraft accessories
12am - back to basics - a run through all the controls and functions of modern camcorders including a guide to photographic techniques such as white balance, exposure etc.
1pm - lunch
Note that you will be working in groups of two or three per workshop and rotating - so your workshops may not be in the following order:
2pm - Workshop 1: Macro - using special macro lenses you can get huge close-ups without having to get too close to the subject. Extension tubes and bellows are also available to try out. This is also an opportunity to practise using sets and lighting techniques.
4pm - tea break
4.30pm - Workshop 2: Cameras and Lenses - an opportunity to try out a variety of different cameras and lenses suitable for wildlife film-making, including telephoto and wide-angle lenses, both fixed focal length and zooms, from a variety of manufacturers. Also take the chance to try out the latest high definition cameras.
6.30pm - free time
7pm - evening meal served
8pm - further wildlife films will be shown and you will be free to continue chattng to the tutors and looking at the equipment provided

Sunday:
8am - breakfast
9am - Workshop 3: Scopes - combine a microscope with a camcorder to get amazing shots of pond life. Also try an endoscope attachment to practise filming insects in a nest.
11am - Workshop 4: Slow motion, Underwater, Reality Wildlife TV - the use of high speed cameras for slow motion effects, splashbags and underwater cameras - practise filming in the wildlife pond at the centre. A look at the use of nest box and bird feeder camera systems for wildlife surveillance.
1pm - lunch
2pm - Workshop 5: Creative Camerawork - composing shots, perfecting pans, shooting for sequences - practising techniques that will improve your footage immensely.
3.30pm - Viewing favourite sequences from the weekend.
4pm - course ends

Staff/Tutors

Mike Linley (pictured left) Mike was a producer and scientific advisor to Survival the Internationally acclaimed wildlife programme making company from 1980 until its demise in 2001. During this time he filmed and produced over 60 documentaries, many of which won major International awards. He also researched, wrote and produced over 200 wildlife programmes for children including the series Animals in Action. He then formed Hairy Frog Productions Limited, an independent wildlife production company.

Simon Beer (pictured right) Simon runs Production Gear Ltd, a company specialising in the sales of broadcast and professional video production equipment. Simon has worked in the broadcast industry since leaving school in 1993, during this time he has been involved in varying capacities on numerous projects with roles including grip and camera operator. Simon has extensive technical knowledge of production technology and has in the past written articles on cameras and post production for magazines including DV User and IOV Focus.

Adrian Cale (pictured left) is an independent wildlife filmmaker, writer and naturalist. As an accomplished producer and camera operator, he brings his own stories to life and has worked with wildlife both behind and in front of camera in a vast range of countries and capacities, his life-long passion affording him a broad knowledge and profound experience of the natural world. He set up Pupfish Productions in 2005: an umbrella group of like-minded independent filmmakers and has gone on to produce, film and write award winning content www.adriancale.co.uk/

Jonathan Jones - Camera Tutor - known by many as Jip, is a specialist lighting cameraman who has worked on award winning natural history programmes. He specialises in macro and high-speed photography, this has enabled him to work on projects like 'Swarm – Natures incredible invasions' and 'Smalltalk Diaries' 2 x Panda winner at Wildscreen. Prior to focusing on camerawork Jip was an editor working on an array of productions. He loves a challenge and is always looking to further his knowledge of new technology and filming techniques.
www.jipjones.co.uk

Piers Warren - Principal of Wildeye - Piers is well known throughout the wildlife film-making industry as the editor of Wildlife Film News and producer of wildlife-film.com, which he created in the 1990s. With a strong background in biology, education and conservation, he has had a lifelong passion for wildlife films and has a wide knowledge of natural history. He cut his teeth in the industry as a sound engineer and multi-media producer, running a studio for many years. He is one of the founders of the international organisation Filmmakers for Conservation and was Vice President for the first three years. Piers is the author of many magazine features and several books including Careers in Wildlife Film-making and Go Wild with Your Camcorder - How to Make Wildlife Films.

Booking Information

Costs: £265 per person
This includes tuition, accommodation, and meals.

Forthcoming Dates:
26-28 March 2010
16-18 July 2010

To be informed of future courses please add your email address in the column on the right to receive Wildeye Bulletins.

Booking: If the home page shows that there are places available for the course of your choice - please complete the online application form and send in your deposit/fee as detailed.

Wildlife Camera Operator Course - Staff and students - October 2009

Wildlife Camera Operator Course - Staff and students - June 2009

Thanks to the following companies for loaning equipment for the training:

Production Gear Ltd - cameras
Vinten - tripods
Wildlife Watching Supplies - camouflaged accessories and hides
Rycote - windshields, windjammers etc
SCV London - Fostex recorders and microphones
Deben - camouflage clothing
Gardenature - bird box camera