CAMERA TRAINING
This week Gyto and I made the journey up to North Wales for three days intensive camera training (Digital Betacam) with Richard Wyn Huws (DOP on Cwcw). For some the journey up was a lot more confortable than others (I spent 6 & 1/2 hours in Sunday transport chaos on buses trains and taxis compared to Gyto's relaxed drive from Pembrokeshire!)
This course was invaluable as we got some real one on one training with Rich and Paul (Cwcw's Focus Puller). It was a real learning curve - we both took turns in operating the camera and focus pulling learning the fundamentals of both disciplines. Trying out some really tricky shots such as quick focus pulls and camera moves, someone walking towards the camera, sitting down moving about as well as planning the camera moves for each shot. We used Tripod, Jib arm and Dolly (my favourite - it can be quite fun being pushed around the studio!) using the Dolly shows how you all have to get the move exactly right for the shot to work - and ensures the focus puller, operator, grip and artist all have to work as a team to get it right - if one aspect is out of place then the whole thing can go wrong!
On the third day Rich even let us loose on the Steadycam - which is a hell of a lot harder than it looks!!! like robocop, we each donned our body armour and prepared for the immense weight of the whole kit (It weighs about 5stone!) Trying to get the balance right, walk unaided and not fall over as well as trying not to think of the weight pulling down on your lower back was taxing enough, let alone getting the shot right! A bit more practice on this I think! Hats off to those Rugby cameramen running about the field for the entire game!
This course was invaluable as we got some real one on one training with Rich and Paul (Cwcw's Focus Puller). It was a real learning curve - we both took turns in operating the camera and focus pulling learning the fundamentals of both disciplines. Trying out some really tricky shots such as quick focus pulls and camera moves, someone walking towards the camera, sitting down moving about as well as planning the camera moves for each shot. We used Tripod, Jib arm and Dolly (my favourite - it can be quite fun being pushed around the studio!) using the Dolly shows how you all have to get the move exactly right for the shot to work - and ensures the focus puller, operator, grip and artist all have to work as a team to get it right - if one aspect is out of place then the whole thing can go wrong!
On the third day Rich even let us loose on the Steadycam - which is a hell of a lot harder than it looks!!! like robocop, we each donned our body armour and prepared for the immense weight of the whole kit (It weighs about 5stone!) Trying to get the balance right, walk unaided and not fall over as well as trying not to think of the weight pulling down on your lower back was taxing enough, let alone getting the shot right! A bit more practice on this I think! Hats off to those Rugby cameramen running about the field for the entire game!
posted by Leanne René at
3:33 PM
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