No silly questions - small group camera tutorials

As part of our Step Up strand, we're offering training to help individuals coming back into the industry after a break, moving into a new role or responsibility level, or improving skills in unscripted TV. 

This small group session with self- shooting director Cara Bowen is for individuals with some camera experience looking to gain more confidence in their shooting and would prefer a safe space to ask any question at all. 

Please note that the trainer may ask you to log back in at a specific time within the two hour slot – this is to facilitate a one on one environment in certain circumstances.

Who it's for

Researchers, APs, producers, and directors in unscripted TV who have shot a bit before, but are looking to gain more confidence in their filming abilities or need a refresher after not shooting for a while.

We are actively seeking applications from female shooters for this course. This is to address the skills gap in female self-shooters and to provide a space where female self-shooters can ask questions which may otherwise be difficult to ask.

The majority of the USF online short course offering is for those at early career stage and above. As a result, we generally require applicants to have at least 3 credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com so we can assess if an exception should be made.

We are committed to ensuring all our courses are accessible to everyone. This course is designed to be as interactive as possible. Please email the above address if you have any access requirements and we will be delighted to help, be that clarifying the form such interaction is likely to take or discussing reasonable adjustments.

What it covers

This course will be participant led and will vary depending on the issue. You can ask whatever question that you feel is holding you back from being a confident shooter, whether it is technical aspects of the camera like white balance, focus, and exposure; the differences between shooting in Cine EI or Custom; or using specific shooting techniques and equipment that would suit a smaller frame, like using an Easy Rig or Hippy Chick. 

The one-to-one setting will provide an open and nurturing setting where you feel comfortable to ask anything you like; no question is off limits or too silly!

Cara will use her FS7 camera and kit during the session but is happy to discuss other cameras.

When applying, please address the following points:

• what camera experience you have,
• what your main concern about shooting is.

Speaker

Cara Bowen is a self-shooting director and producer with 15 years’ experience in shooting in all sorts of environments, from observational documentaries to produced factual entertainment. As a women small in stature but big in persistence, Cara has found ways to shoot in some of the toughest conditions and amongst the most difficult contributors, despite being told she was too small or not strong enough to wield a camera. Cara is now keen to help others break down the barriers that’s stopping them from becoming the confident shooters they wish to be.

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘apply now’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application.

If you need additional support to complete your application or require the application form in an alternative format please contact USF@screenskills.com

Places on these free online courses are limited and applications are often highly competitive. To stand the best chance of securing a place, please be sure to consider the following:

• When asked to list your three most recent credits, please include the programme title and your job role.
• When asked what you hope to gain from the course, please be concise but ensure you cover the specific elements of the topic you would like to gain knowledge of and what gaps in your skillset you believe the course may address. A rewording of the course title or a general comment on career progression does not tell us much about how this course would benefit you.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to this support, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.