Marrakech or Tuscany for Steadicam students?

Tiffen, the US company behind Steadicam, Tiffen filters, Lowel lighting and other high-end production products has built a reputation for providing Steadicam training workshops in great locations, but choosing which one sometimes makes a tough choice for potential attendees.

March saw the first Steadicam Gold Workshop to be run in Morocco, held at the impressive Riad Sirocco hotel complex in Marrakech. It not only provided great opportunities for training scenarios, but also included a pool to cool off when work was finished and a wonderful restaurant serving tasty local food, all just a short walk away. 

Students included local Moroccan camera operators and those flying in from the Netherlands, UK, Spain, Italy and elsewhere. The instruction team was headed up by cinematographer / Exovest inventor Chris Fawcett, and included Richard ‘Vaky’ Mallaby, Evrim Kaya, Giovanni Gebbia, Robin Thwaites, and special guest Steadicam inventor, Garrett Brown. The wrap party, always a high point, included certificate presentation and entertainment from a band of traditional Moroccan musicians. 

Then closely following in April came the Steadicam Gold Workshop in Tuscany, Italy, organised by Diego Allegro and Isabell Fabel. The beautiful and historic Castella di Gargonza provided a stunning locale for training in and around the medieval stone walls and cobbled walkways. In the evenings the group enjoyed fine local food in the hotel restaurant. 

Students included local Italian camera operators together with attendees from the Netherlands, UK, Spain, Portugal, South Korea, Mexico, Poland, Ukraine and more. The instructor team was headed up by Chris Fawcett, with Evrim Kaya, Jakob Bofils, Giovanni Geba, Danny Hallett and via video-link this time Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown. 

For both venues Steadicams used were all Steadicam M-2 systems loaned by UK’s Tiffen International in various configurations as well as a great selection of grip equipment for the vehicle rigging day. 

As always, the workshops culminated in the inevitable high spirited wrap party and certificate presentations in the restaurant.  

A Steadicam Gold Workshop is an intensive learning experience for the participants starting on day one with basic knowledge and then transitioning into a shot-based experience where each of the instructors designs and takes charge of a short sequence. The students are formed into small groups and each group takes on the challenge of each shot during the day allowing them close access to the instructor’s knowledge and skills whilst attempting to produce an excellent resulting sequence. Evenings are taken up with lectures, viewing, and Q&As filling up pretty much all waking hours. Gold workshops are usually residential for all, allowing the training to continue into the evening. 

There is usually a mix of attendees, from students and camera operators at all levels, as well as camera department people like focus pullers, then Steadicam operators from early to well established, and sometimes DoPs and directors expanding their knowledge of Steadicam and what it can bring, all of which makes a great mix of camaraderie and new friendships found from the full-on days and evenings. 

Ab Gulten was an attendee of the Marrakech workshop, his roots in Turkey, but now based in the Netherlands. Excited by cinematic images since childhood he became a cinematographer five years ago but Steadicam was always there in his mind.  

“I didn’t know where to start, but researching I came across the Steadicam Gold Workshop. I was very excited and signed up, not knowing what to expect. I arrived in Marrakech and the adventure began. Full and long days,interesting lectures, super tasty food, friendly and experienced teachers. I have learned a lot. I think it would be impossible to use a Steadicam professionally without following a workshop. I made good connections with other students. Thanks to this experience I came out confident and have already ordered my own Steadicam M-2.” 

Also attending the Marrakech workshop was Peter Demetris, a UK Steadicam owner/operator and director based in London. “I booked the Tiffen Gold course because I really wanted to immerse myself in the world of Steadicam operating, and what better way to do it than spending a whole week with a group of experienced operators and other like-minded students? The weather in Morocco promised much needed March sunshine, and the added bonus was a chance to meet Garret Brown himself. 

“The course was really well run with an excellent instruction team which included Robin Thwaites, whose knowledge of the Tiffen system is unrivalled and when it comes to the Volt, he is the Guru!” 

“An added bonus of the course was meeting and learning with 19 other operators and sharing our experiences of the training days and tricks that the instructors had passed on. Evening meals at the hotel were like a United Nations gathering with up to five languages being spoken whilst sharing delicious Moroccan tagines and couscous. 

“Peers and clients alike recognise the financial and time commitments made in signing up for these workshops and this reflects positively on the operator. Personally, even though I had undertaken previous Steadicam introductions and training I felt I left Marrakech a more accomplished operator and in a better position to fine-tune my skills. I would highly recommend the Tiffen Gold Course to anyone who is serious about becoming a Steadicam operator.” 

Alex Kingston, a UK based Steadicam operator who signed up for the Tuscany workshop, sent this thank you mail to the organisers. “I just wanted to thank you for the Gargonza workshop, it was honestly one of the best decisions I made in my career (second to deciding to become a Steadicam operator). It covered all the items and tasks I was seeking to clear but went even further answering problems and techniques I hadn’t even thought about. 

“Even though the strike has impacted the number of productions and it being a slow year already, I am very grateful to have been able to find some work already since the workshop and have noticed small improvements already! Looking forward to getting even better and perfect the craft even more with all the lessons learned during that week.” 

Booking now, a UK Steadicam Gold workshop in Oxfordshire, November 2023. Instructors include Paul Edwards, Peter Cavaciuti, Roger Tooley, Junior Agyeman, Martyn Porter, Danny Hallett, Robin Thwaites and special guest, Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown.

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Words by Mel Noonan   

Photo credit: https://steadicamaction.com