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.

Actuality Shooting: Filming in real-time (no retakes)

Learn pro-shooting techniques for obs-doc, factual character-led scenes, and constructed reality

Can you shoot well, but want to learn how to shoot actuality on the fly — so your films are rich in usable material?

Constructed reality is now a huge format, and character-led sequences drive narrative, even in specialist factual. Therefore, the ability to shoot actuality without retakes is more important than ever.

Yet shooting actuality is a unique, (albeit essential) skill – I’ve even worked with DOPs who don’t know how to shoot actuality for the edit - they ask for retakes. However, as shooting directors, we know this is rarely possible when a scene is unfolding in real time. There’s a lot to think about, and you don’t get a second chance.

So, what do you do when you're filming real people, in real moments, as they happen?

Directing an edit gives you an ‘idea’ of what editors need - the full bundle of shots to build a sequence: close-ups, wide shots, cutaways. But in reality, you often need to capture all of these within a single scene, without stopping a scene - sometimes even within one room - to give an editor enough material to cut effectively.

So, just how do you capture everything you need without missing a beat — or asking for a retake? That’s what this course is all about.

What you’ll learn

• Practical techniques for shooting actuality as it unfolds

• How to think ahead for the edit while filming in real time

• Shot-building within a single scene or space

• Lens and exposure decisions in observational documentary contexts

• Working instinctively under pressure

How the day works

This is a small group course with hands-on learning throughout the day.

You’ll work through a series of mock, drama-style scenarios in challenging but typical locations — such as confined kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor setups.

In the mid-afternoon, we’ll review rushes in Avid and do a quick assembly of some of your footage using to see how it cuts together — followed by group discussion and feedback on how to improve.

I will follow up this day, by cutting everyone’s footage, and then I will send you your own bespoke cut and tips on how to get even better.

This is a fast-paced, practical course designed to build real confidence quickly.

Equipment

You’ll shoot on either:

Canon C300, or

Sony FS7

(Your choice)

The focus is not on camera mechanics, but on how to use the camera instinctively in actuality situations.

Group size

This course can only run with a minimum of 3 participants.

There will be a maximum of 6, to give enough time and resource for everyone to have a go.

The location

This is a field-based day in the Trossachs, at the gorgeous Kinlochard Village Hall - a location with plenty of actuality set ups (kitchen, bathroom, lighting scenarios, and outdoor scenarios).

The date

(was) Saturday the 4th of April 2026 - but this has been postponed. Stay tuned for further upcoming dates.

Pricing

• £229 + VAT (individual)

• £169 + VAT each (£50 off if you join as a pair with a colleague or friend; or if you are a former 1:1 client)

What experience do I need?

It’s best if you have some camera training, and/or shoot experience, as this is not a course on how to use the cameras, although I will provide instruction where needed. If you’re a beginner, please see my one to one course.

How to apply

Hit Apply, fill out the form with your needs, experience level, and any questions — I’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a payment link if this course is for you.