Advanced Media Trading held an advanced DSLR course at AM Studio in Dubai last month. Although originally intended for two days, the course, which was conducted by German DoP and filmmaker Stefan Czech, was extended to an additional day for beginners who requested an advanced course. Alongside enthusiasts from different parts of the region, the […]
Advanced Media Trading held an advanced DSLR course at AM Studio in Dubai last month. Although originally intended for two days, the course, which was conducted by German DoP and filmmaker Stefan Czech, was extended to an additional day for beginners who requested an advanced course. Alongside enthusiasts from different parts of the region, the team at AM Studio also welcomed a delegation from Iran.
In May 2012, we conducted our first DSLR workshop and some of the key brands we represent in this market sponsored this event. Around 60 people attended the workshop last time and there was demand for a second edition. With the help of our suppliers, we decided to hold a second edition. We had an intermediate and advanced course. There were attendees from UAE but also Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Iran. Stefan is an entertaining teacher so the sessions were very interesting. We are planning to hold workshops every two to three months depending on whats trendy and requires training.
Pooyan Farnam, Advanced Media
I am a photographer from Teheran. I have a Canon 5D with me. I want to be able to shoot video as well. In Iran, we have really creative people but lack the equipment to touch and learn. This workshop gives you a hands-on experience. There is a big difference between those of us who have come from Iran and some of the other attendees. Because we do not have these privileges to touch and learn there, perhaps we appreciate such courses more. Now, I plan to go back and make a short film.
Setare Milladi, photographer, Iran
The DSLR camera changed the market, whether for the film industry or for the still image market. Many photographers want to be able to move into videography. These cameras have given people the opportunity to make that transition effectively. Some people liked the basic course and asked to do an advanced course as well so we extended it for another day. Filmmakers wanted to know the difference between this and high-end cameras. We did some test shoots to show the comparison. Theres so much more to using the DSLR than meets the eye.
Stefan Czech, freelance DoP
I came to this course to learn how to use the DSLR effectively because we train young children between the ages of eight and ten to do video shoots in Iran, where we have a training centre. When children go to school, they are always asked to write an essay. So whatever is in their minds has to come out in words. But theres a whole visual world out there that children see differently. Plus now, because of mobile phones and the video functionality on small cameras, kids can expand their creativity beyond the written word to visuals. That was my motivation to teach young children. We have taught 110 children in the last two years. We hold two courses of 60 hours and 100 hours. Of course, we have several other courses for adults as well. Five of us have come from Iran to learn about using the DSLR and they are mostly photographers who want to expand into filming videos.
Sohail Moghimi, filmmaker and digital cinema manager, Iran
