UBMS organised the first certified Steadicam workshop in Dubai, with experts giving hands-on training to the attendees. The three-day workshop offered a Steadicam training course to 12 attendees, and covered the basics of operating Steadicam. The lessons included introductions to use Steadicams camera stabilizing systems, the basics of balancing and using the kit. Conducted […]
UBMS organised the first certified Steadicam workshop in Dubai, with experts giving hands-on training to the attendees. The three-day workshop offered a Steadicam training course to 12 attendees, and covered the basics of operating Steadicam. The lessons included introductions to use Steadicams camera stabilizing systems, the basics of balancing and using the kit.
Conducted by Robin Thwaites, International Director of Sales and Kevan Parker, International Sales Manager at Steadicam, the workshop covered both theory and practical instructions. While UBMS, the organisers of the workshop provided most of the equipment, some of the demo units were also brought in from Steadicam, UK.
The attendees comprised a mix of camerapersons, producers and DoPs from local production and broadcast companies. The workshop was conducted at SAE Institute in Dubai Knowledge Village from November 12 to 14, 2013.
The all-day workshop was conducted over three days in order to offer a more comprehensive programme to the students.
Commenting on the three-day course, Parker said: We introduced the basic Steadicam equipment on the first day and Robin offered some theoretical insight into the way it is meant to be used. We also demonstrated the basic moves and how to balance the equipment. The second day was more about practical training and the attendees were given the equipment to practice the moves. They were also introduced to a number of exercises that will help them use the rigs.
We made sure that they knew how to put on the vests and use the rig properly. Some more complicated moves were also introduced on the second day of training. On the third day the attendees did a test shoot to ensure that they could handle Steadicam independently.
The workshop was closely assessed throughout the three days and Steadicam certification was handed out to the attendees on the successful completion of training at the end of day three.
This workshop is meant to ready the users to embark on their Steadicam journey. This is just the beginning and the more one practices, the closer he or she will be at mastering the technique, explained Parker.
By familiarising camera professionals with this technique we also hope to quell myths about Steadicam being very cumbersome. If used in the right way, Steadicam can be a very effective tool in capturing shots with specific demands, explained Parker.
The use of Steadicam has consistently grown over the past several years. From being a niche technique available to only a few camerapersons, it is now used more commonly on a variety of shoots from film shoots to dramas and sports.
Commenting on the relevance and need of such workshops, Peter Kyriakose, Head of Marketing at UBMS said: The workshop is mainly to impart knowledge and training to professionals to enable them to use this equipment in the correct way. It comes as a part of UBMSs vision to not only bring the latest equipment to the region but also equip broadcast professionals to use it optimally.
