About the Course
The basis of a good camera operator is preparation and commitment to getting the right shot. Still, many might be surprised by how many things can go wrong just as you are about to get your first shot. A good training starts with the basics: how to set up your camera for the workflow of your choice. Is it camjo, run-and-gun, or slow documentary shots? What all these terms mean, you will learn during this course.
Benefits of this Camera Course
As a certified operator, I learned my skills during a course that emphasized cinema. Other courses might focus on topics like journalism. This course combines the best of all worlds — from documentary shooting to cinematography, journalism, and filmmaking. In the end, we will train you to get out there and make impactful films with a minimum setup.
We understand that we can't always invest thousands of euros in all the lenses, lighting, accessories, and more. We teach you to make television-worthy movies with minimal equipment so that you can get started immediately after this course — whether you are a journalist, an employee looking to enhance your skills, starting your own production company, or professionalizing your social media footage.
I Want a Certificate, So This Training Is Not for Me
A certified course has to follow a syllabus, which is good, but it also confines an organization to teach a certain standard — a standard we also maintain at Rick Jens. What sets us apart is one-on-one teaching, real field experience filming during expeditions and in areas of conflict. In these challenging conditions, you have to think smart about your limited equipment.
On top of that, we have extensive experience operating different camera systems, making you all-round as a professional. By the end of the course, you will have shot your own report, documentary, or short film.
The Training
We teach you the basics of how to set up different camera systems, including Panasonic HC-X1 and Fuji XH2S. You will learn the ins and outs, at a practical level, of what your camera is capable of. We then head out to film in different locations at different times, teaching you how to react to changing light conditions.
After learning the basics of filming, you will work on your own film and learn how to edit it in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Prices and Location
This two-week course is in Sicily, located between all the hotspots Sicily has to offer: Cefalù, Taormina, and Etna. Students will be advised on Airbnbs in the area. Transport during the course will be organized by us. Lunch is included, as is the use of camera equipment, pen, and paper.
Group maximum: 2 students
Price: €2,500 per person, including VAT
Your Instructor
Rick Jens
Rick is a certified camera operator with a bachelor's degree in journalism. With several years of experience working with different camera systems. From traditional videocamera to hybrid cameras. Both have professional pros and cons.