The seven deadly sins of self shooting with Dan Donnelly

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. 

A guide to some the worst mistakes novice self-shooters make and how to avoid making them.

Tips to avoid some of the major blunders with exposure, focus, composition, sound, kit handling and more.

You may also be interested in Dan's other courses: Camera & sound equipment 101 and Introduction to the FS7.

Who it's for

Novice self shooters in unscripted TV and those beginning to use cameras as part of their job.

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. Please email the above address if you have any access requirements and we will be delighted to help.

Speaker

Dan Donnelly is a veteran self-shooting director, presenter and trainer. He spent 15 years at the BBC, working as a director, presenter and camera operator in factual formats such as observational documentary, food, consumer and current affairs. While at the BBC he began training staff in self-shooting skills. Now freelance, Dan teaches self-shooting and directing skills as well as working as a camera operator and director.

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 book for your place. You must login or register before you are able to book your place.

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.