Sony FX6 familiarisation

This session is part of the Connect & Inspire strand which offers a variety of sessions, from in-person networking and online roundtables to in-depth case studies, designed to promote the sharing of knowledge and the building of relationships across unscripted TV.

What does the FX6 offer, compared to other cameras? How do I capture quality sound on the FX6? How can I rig the FX6 to be comfortable and get great shots? Which is better, Cine EI or Custom?

This two-hour session will answer these questions and much more, with practical demonstrations and creative explanations to help understand the camera. You’ll be learning about features such as reliable auto focus, easily configurable 4 channel audio, cache recording, slow motion, lightweight form factor, and many user-friendly improvements.

A multi-input web presentation will be used so you can see the presenter, camera output, close ups of buttons, and any supplemental information.

Who it's for

Intended mainly for people in unscripted TV familiar with other professional cameras, but also of interest to anyone needing to familiarise themselves with the FX6. Assistant producers (APs), runners, directors, researchers, and content creators in general will be able to easily access this session and come away with knowledge and awareness of the camera. The style of delivery keeps things simple but also offers nuggets of valuable information for the more experienced.

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

• Physical setup

• Screen attachment & options
• Handheld techniques
• Use of shoulder mount

• Basics

• Rec buttons & basic playback
• Setup files & how to choose one for your production

• Clip naming

• Timecode options
• APR message
• Lenses

• Lens choices

• S35 setting
• Depth of field
• Creative use of lenses – perspective, foreshortening, wide angle uses
• Lens controls – zoom, focus, iris, steady shot
• Cleaning, protection, and safe changing of lenses

• Focus

• Manual with peaking and mag
• Auto – Face/eye options, tracking, speed adjustments

• Exposure

• Iris
• Gain/ISO
• Filming in log
• ND, inc Auto
• Shutter
• Zebras

• White balance

• Auto, Preset, Custom

• Slow Motion

• Options and limitations
• Card choice and duration
• Flicker and picture quality issues

• Remote viewing with App
• Proxy options
• Sound

• XLR inputs and switches
• Use of touchscreen to select audio options
• Tour round touchscreen settings
• Use of MI shoe
• Monitoring options

• Troubleshooting

• Restore media
• Handle seating

Trainer:

Andy Benjamin is a freelance trainer and camera operator. He teaches in higher education, runs camera courses and operates for various TV companies as well as making bespoke films for local folk.

He started at the BBC in 1985 as a Studio Engineer at TV Centre, working on shows as diverse as Play School and Blackadder. Andy re-trained as a technical operator and became skilled with cameras, sound, lighting and editing. A revolution happened in the mid-nineties with the launch of DV cameras, and an urgent need for training production staff was met by Andy exclusively for a year or so. Once the floodgates had opened, Andy’s pioneering work was taken up by colleagues and he moved on to become ‘dr. DV’ within BBC Production Modernisation. This service offered coaching, technical advice, innovation, telephone help, and ‘refresher’ tapes and CD’s. The need for this sort of support elsewhere at the BBC grew quickly, and DVSolutions was born, offering countrywide equipment hire AND support for self-op programme makers.

Andy joined this team which is now the largest hire business in Europe, supporting BBC and Independent shooting all around the UK and abroad. Andy was used regularly by programmes as a lighting cameraman and sound recordist, keeping his skills current and refreshed. He has credits for Panorama, Asian Dating, Dara O’Briens Science Club and many more. He also been a multi camera director for internal BBC events, including for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. His knowledge of cameras is second to none, he can offer advice on how to shoot, how to do sound, how to light creatively, what kit to choose, and what's coming up in the industry.

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘get ticket’ 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 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.