1:1 Shothot Shooter - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Self-Shooting Intensive Training Day, for broadcast industry professionals, tailored to your needs
Start 2026 as a confident broadcast Self Shooter.
This is a quick, but intensive one-day course in the beautiful Trossachs, designed for industry professionals who need to shoot well in real-world conditions – both indoors and outdoors, with plenty of actuality and changing scenarios. Learn to get the basics bang on, the mechanics of lenses, ISO and aperture and level up into confident obs doc and actuality, strong factual sequences and creative interview scenarios.
This day is suitable for:
APs, DV Directors and PDs with some shooting experience, who want to get much better at shooting actuality, obs doc, and factual sequences.
It’s also suitable for near-new or new shooters in the broadcast industry - Researchers, Assistant Producers, Producers, or Runners, with a little, or no experience handling a camera and shooting
The main point is to learn how to shoot well - no matter what stage you’re at, and what variables are thrown at you.
DO YOU WANT TO …
learn how to do the basics really well (which means you’re doing better than most!) including exposure; focus; sound; composition?
learn the ingredients of sequences and how to bring back exactly what is needed for the edit?
learn how to shoot on the fly, without doing more than one take and get great at actuality shooting (most people want this off the bat, so we’ll cover this depending on what skill level you’re at)
learn how to capture numerous, creative shots from any location to make the very best sequences, (so editors never ever complain about not having enough material)?
create stunning images by getting the best out of lenses, and understanding how things like IRIS/APERTURE, ISO, AND FILTERS can make the world of difference to the look and feel of a shot?
want to be considered for self-shoot jobs because you actually know what you are doing?
WHAT YOU WILL GET OUT OF THIS COURSE …
The course is personalised - from one filmmaker to another - with knowledge of exactly what is required for self-shoots, what is often asked of us, and what’s realistic/what’s not
It will help you manage a self-shoot confidently, whether on your own, or with another PD or DOP
There’s a knack to shooting without doing more than one take - I will teach you how to shoot ‘actuality’ well, rather than re-taking
You will learn the language of shots and composition - you’ll know your MS from your MCU and LS; and about headroom, looking room and the rule of thirds (which will make you stand out from the rest)
You will learn the language of lenses, and the marriage of ISO, APERTURE/IRIS & FILTERS, to achieve beautiful material and narrow depth of field; and when ‘not’ to shoot like this
By the end of the day you will know how to shoot a sequence with confidence, with the required elements, including how to shoot the very best cutaways, and how to bring some creativity to what you shoot (including interviews).
You’ll learn exactly what’s needed to construct a great sequence - scripted or obs-doc - and why it’s always important to plot out a shot-list for any film, even obs-doc!
You’ll learn how to create really smashing interviews, using backdrop, lighting and eyeline
You’ll know how to ‘work a room’ in terms of turning a dry, featureless room, into an interesting interview backdrop
You’ll learn how to set up for cross shooting or you’ll learn how to shoot and manage multiple cameras if you’re on your own
Learn the pitfalls and mistakes before they happen (things like: dark shots, bad focus, distorted sound, incorrect timecode) and how to avoid them (e.g., checking your kit, setting things up correctly)
Learn how to ‘get to know your kit’ and not be scared of all the settings, even if you’re using a camera you’re not familiar with - essential for stress management, avoiding faff on location, and being able to put your energy into the creative side of shooting. (Please note however, that this is NOT a ‘how to’ for using specific cameras. It is more about how to get the best out of any camera to achieve great footage)
Learn how to get the best out of contributors, alongside multiple technical & editorial complexities’
You’ll learn it’s all about planning - and why you should NEVER rely on winging it!
A NOTE ON EXPERIENCE…
You’ll learn many camera tips and tricks (whilst I’m not a camera ‘technician’, I have a really good knowledge of cameras, that started for me at the NZ Broadcasting School in 1994 where I got a really thorough grounding in how cameras work, lighting, and composing shots! Having navigated so many iterations of cameras over the years, I have had to work out a lot of things out as I’ve gone along).
Finally, I don’t know everything, especially in the radically changing world of camera technology, but if I don’t know, I’ll do my very best to find out.
THE LOCATION…
This is a field-based day in the Trossachs, in a location with plenty of actuality and outdoor scenarios and set ups.
ONGOING SUPPORT…
The course never really ends - you will have access to me forever (within reason) if you ever have questions while shooting (I am often giving advice to peers and industry professionals and enjoy doing this).
OPTIONS & PRICES…
1:1 (one person) - one full day - £450 + VAT
Two people together - special offer (same day, same location, both of you learning side-by-side) - £399 + VAT each
FURTHER ORGANISATIONAL DETAILS ABOUT THIS COURSE (& TERMS) …
This course is not open to the public, and is by application and invite for industry professionals only - please apply using the button at the top of the screen, so I can quickly check your suitability and I will then send you an invite with payment details.