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Comments from previous students:

"Thanks again for a stunningly well organised course and detailed coverage. I have found it invaluable and the information gained has already helped me with my discussions regarding our proposed project"

"A really good weekend, full of info, facts and figures - and good company ... I certainly learned a lot of useful information, and you helped me clarify my equipment needs - which is precisely what I had hoped for!"

"Thanks to our wonderful band of inspirational "tutors" for the great workshops!"

"Thanks for a wonderfully educational weekend."

Producers of
Wildlife Film News
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Wildeye
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For news of wildlife film courses, equipment for sale, footage required and jobs offered, add your email address here:

Essential reading:

Careers in Wildlife Film-making

Go Wild with your Camcorder
How to Make Wildlife Films

 

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, sound recording, underwater, and creative techniques. It is taught by wildlife film-maker Mike Linley,Simon Beer - a video camera specialist from Production Gear Ltd., and Piers Warren - Principal of Wildeye.

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.

Click here for an example of footage taken on a previous course (a Sony A1 camcorder in macro mode).

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 or the JVC GY range).
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:
canon xl2 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

canon xl2Sunday:
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: Underwater, Reality Wildlife TV and Sound Recording - the use of housings, 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. Plus an introduction to the extra equipment and techniques available to improve your soundtrack.
1pm - lunch
2pm - Workshop 5: Creative Camerawork - composing shots, perfecting pans, shooting for sequences - practising techniques that will improve your footage immensely.
4pm - course ends

canon xl2

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.

canon xl2

 

Simon Beer (pictured right) Simon from Production Gear Ltd. has worked in the broadcast equipment sales industry since leaving school at the age of 16. He started his career in equipment service, moving on for a short spell in rental before ending up in sales and marketing. He is a regular contributor to the IOV's Focus magazine writing articles on technology. Simon has studied non-linear editing at BBC Wood Norton and worked as a camera operator at Pinewood Studios. Production Gear Ltd. is a UK based company supplying a concise range of broadcast and professional production equipment, ranging from a roll of gaffer tape through to a complete studio.

 

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/

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: £245 per person
This includes tuition, accommodation, and meals.

Forthcoming Dates:
23-25 October 2009

Booking: Contact info@wildeye.co.uk, you will be required to pay a deposit of £25 to secure your place.Places are limited and will be awarded first-come-first-served - so you are advised to book early. View our Terms and Conditions for Booking Courses.

add your email address here to be informed of future Wildlife Camera Operator courses:


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