Tiffen’s Steadicam workshops up and running again amidst ‘huge number of new projects’

Tiffen International at Pinewood Studios UK has recently restarted their Steadicam® Workshops, running a Steadicam Silver Workshop at The Bull Hotel in Gerrards Cross.

Tiffen international director of sales Robin Thwaites said: “We were quite apprehensive about when to start running Steadicam Workshops again following lockdown but decided that given the right controls and venue we could make it possible. The Bull Hotel staff in Gerrards Cross were very helpful, as was the weather, which did allow some scope for working outside.  Testing, care and cleanliness allowed for us to make masks optional in the training room although still compulsory in the indoor public areas of the hotel. The students were all very cooperative and also a great group to be the first after a long break, I am sure they all gained a great deal from the workshop and will do very well in the future.

“Despite the pandemic and lockdown the film and television industry seems very busy on a worldwide scale. Many productions are trying to catch up with lost production time and there are a huge number of new projects. This is not just something that is happening in the UK, we are seeing this through all our overseas friends on an international scale.” 

Here, some of the participants talk about their career paths and the workshop: 

Ciaran Tunmer, currently based in Cambridge with bases in Norwich and London:

“I have just finished studying my film production BA at Norwich University of the Arts where I specialised in cinematography. I have worked as a runner and locations on various professional shoots, and am now advertising myself as a camera trainee.  

Ever since I have been working in film, I have had a fascination in camera stabilisation, and often watch behind-the-scenes videos of Steadicam operators pulling off amazing shots. After dong the induction on the Pilot rig at university, I was hooked and decided to sign up for the Silver course.  

I thought the course was fantastic. I was at a disadvantage coming into the course because I had only had a couple of hours in a rig previously, but we were thrown straight into the rigs to give us much time in them as possible which I thought was great. I appreciated having to work things out for myself because it actually made me understand it more. After this course, I am definitely considering Steadicam in my career.”

Paolo Bischi, London, UK:

“I started as a freelance videographer in Italy, moving to the UK in 2016. Until 2020, I worked in-house as camera operator and DP for a local production company and last year entered the freelance world, working mainly for live-streaming events, branded content and TV commercials. My goal in the next few years is to work more on documentaries, TV commercials and possibly on TV series drama as camera operator and DP.  

I’ve been always fascinated by Steadicam and wanted to do some training for a long time but only got the opportunity recfently thanks to this Tiffen Workshop. As a camera operator/DP I believe it’s important knowing how to operate a Steadicam. I’ve been working as a gimbal technician and operator and I can see the big difference between operating that and a Steadicam, both visually and technically.  

I truly believe the course is worth every second. Danny and Robin are incredibly good at teaching and the course is well organised, from day one to day three. I liked that Robin shared a small collection of notes about Steadicam workflow, sometimes you just listen and there is no time to take notes during the course. It was interesting for me to test the different rigs and see the difference in fitting the various vests. It was also interesting to have suggestions regarding filming in particular circumstances such wet weather, sand and wind!  

The course definitely raised my enthusiasm for Steadicam work, both from a creative and business perspective. I’m really happy that I did the course, a really good experience and well organised. I’m amazed that in only three days we were able to set up, balance and fly a Steadicam, with some good end results as well!”

Piers Leigh, based in both Bristol and London:

“I am a DP with 20 years of experience, in both documentary and drama. In the last few years I have done some drama operating and was accepted as an Associate Member of the Association of Camera Operators in early 2021. I am looking to do more drama operating and in order to do so, I am training with geared heads and with Steadicam. 

I wanted to upskill and make sure that as I learn Steadicam, I am learning in the right way. I felt a three-day workshop would provide a good grounding and give me some good tips on how to learn and how to practice. 

The workshop has definitely increased my respect for Steadicam operators, but has also increased my appreciation for what a fantastic tool Steadicam is for filmmakers. I am really keen to get a Steadicam for myself and start really getting time in a vest operating Steadicam. The most useful aspect of the workshop were the training exercises, which you can take away and use to improve your technique. The most fun were the practical exercises, operating and shooting a shot. Working in the corridor was also really useful. I would have liked more time operating and practising in the vest, but overall it was a good balance.”

Richard Boon, South Croydon, London:

“I am a cinematographer and shooting PD/AP. Last year, I was DP on feature Stigma about Grenfell Tower and social displacement and then 2nd unit director on half million-pound action sci-fi feature Infinite, both will be releasing late 2021. I have been DP on music videos for Morcheeba, Kellie Marie, Fifi Rong and other lesser known artists. I have just wrapped as DP on the 4th of 8 short films for Rhino Films & Aurellia Pictures.  

I recently worked as a shooting AP on Australian documentary The Long Walk to Treatment (Channel 7 Australia) and Ten Dollar Death Trip, documentary about Opioid abuse in Vancouver which has been distributed for broadcast in four countries. 

I had bought an Archer2 and for a year had been learning Steadicam since. I actually wanted to get on a course immediately after buying, but COVID got in the way. I wanted to be able to understand the techniques and intricacies the right way, before bad habits could sneak in. I also had many questions develop over the year which I was excited to get answered. 

The workshop was great, I had my many questions answered, we debated points of interest and I was able to understand how and why to move and practice techniques. It was fantastic meeting with Junior Ayeman-Owusu, (a guest instructor). He was quite inspirational and I loved talking to an operator I could relate to and whose path I could track. 

By getting hands on with multiple rigs and having the highest level of instruction from some of the most knowledgeable pros you could ask for, it would be hard not to appreciate the tutelage.” 

Tom Kelly, Norfolk, UK:

“I’ve been working in the industry for the last couple of years as a trainee in the camera and grip departments. I’ve worked on two independent feature films and a mini series for Sky.  I’m looking to continue gaining on-set experience in the future as a camera assistant.  

I thought it would be a good idea to pursue a particular skill alongside the camera assistant work. I had become interested in Steadicam over the last year or two so I thought the workshop would be a great way of getting a feel of Steadicam and to see if was something I could see myself committing to. 

I thought the workshop was excellent. It was the perfect mix of theory and hands-on practise. Robin and Danny were great, bringing a great wealth of knowledge and creating a relaxed environment. The structure of the lessons had obviously been planned very well so it always felt like there was a good amount of time given to each area. It was also really helpful to try out many different rigs to see what the differences were and how they fit.  I would say the experience for me definitely increased my desire to pursue it as a career. 

I don’t own a rig yet, but am hoping to do so in the near future. It was fun! Also it was good to meet the other students and to hear about each individual’s journey to get to this point. The size of the class was not too big so that there was always time to share equipment.”