Steadicam Certification Programs?
- Thread starter JoeNash
- Start date
By Steadicam certified I assume you mean take a workshop course by a recognised Steadicam expert or company?
As a recent entrant into Steadicam (I have the Flyer), I would say a 3day workshop can teach you the basic theory of operation, and give you an introduction to exercises which cover the techniques you'll need. But only regular practice will get you good enough to get paid work at full professional rates. The jobs you'll be doing straight after the course will be either free or low paid student films and local company stuff which is fine as that is all good experience and practice where you will learn how to string the theory and techniques together in a real situation.
Then edit a showreel of your best stuff, and get it out to established production companies and online crew directories to hopefully start getting properly paid work.
How fast this climb is will depend on your dedication to practice, talent, skill, networking and luck. It could be months, a year or more. Or it may turn out it's not your thing after all.
In a nutshell, it has the potential to be a great freelance job. But don't expect to be earning big bucks from day one! Also, going into it for the money rather than the love of it, may be the wrong order of priority - it's a very demanding job and physically hard work for the body. If you aren't enjoying it for itself, then you're just working very hard for purely monetary gain. Accountancy would be an easier way to make money!
As a recent entrant into Steadicam (I have the Flyer), I would say a 3day workshop can teach you the basic theory of operation, and give you an introduction to exercises which cover the techniques you'll need. But only regular practice will get you good enough to get paid work at full professional rates. The jobs you'll be doing straight after the course will be either free or low paid student films and local company stuff which is fine as that is all good experience and practice where you will learn how to string the theory and techniques together in a real situation.
Then edit a showreel of your best stuff, and get it out to established production companies and online crew directories to hopefully start getting properly paid work.
How fast this climb is will depend on your dedication to practice, talent, skill, networking and luck. It could be months, a year or more. Or it may turn out it's not your thing after all.
In a nutshell, it has the potential to be a great freelance job. But don't expect to be earning big bucks from day one! Also, going into it for the money rather than the love of it, may be the wrong order of priority - it's a very demanding job and physically hard work for the body. If you aren't enjoying it for itself, then you're just working very hard for purely monetary gain. Accountancy would be an easier way to make money!
JoeNash
Well-known member
Yea, i was looking at some of the three-day work shops, and they didn't seem too expensive, except if i wanted to take this a serious freelancing opportunity i would have to put some money into it.
The idea came to me because of my love for how fluid and smooth steadicam shots are, and iv always had a deep desire to own one to my self for my own personal use as well. I love the idea, but money is also what pays the bills, so i'm trying to extend myself as much as possible, i dont sleep much, keeping myself busy is the best way to be, and i always love learning.
about how much did your flyer cost?
The idea came to me because of my love for how fluid and smooth steadicam shots are, and iv always had a deep desire to own one to my self for my own personal use as well. I love the idea, but money is also what pays the bills, so i'm trying to extend myself as much as possible, i dont sleep much, keeping myself busy is the best way to be, and i always love learning.
about how much did your flyer cost?
Well, why not do the workshop if it's affordable, and see if you really enjoy it? Then you can decide if it's worth the time, effort and money to pursue it further. Especially ask them if they will have a Flyer to try on the course, if you are seriously thinking of buying it. If they don't have it, then you may want to hire one afterwards to check it out before buying. Because it has much less built-in mass and therefore inertia, it is inherently less naturally stable than the big rigs, and may be frustrating if you're not expecting it. It's a great one to learn on though!
I got mine secondhand in the UK. But with everything in the UK being much more expensive than in the USA, although it was a good price in the UK, it works out only slightly less than a NEW one from B&H Photo Video in New York! Paid equivalent of about $6000 I think.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...rchBar&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=steadicam+flyer
I got mine secondhand in the UK. But with everything in the UK being much more expensive than in the USA, although it was a good price in the UK, it works out only slightly less than a NEW one from B&H Photo Video in New York! Paid equivalent of about $6000 I think.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...rchBar&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=steadicam+flyer
faultygoblin
Active member
I know a guy who makes a pretty penny doing steadicam work,
he has experience and of course has done the workshops, he told me that his first major decision was to buy a house or a steadicam rig and camera he went with the rig, and owning/operating his rig freelance he does very well for himself. He's also does a lot of driving but doing work for tv and likes can pay, having an extensive reel, and making contacts through the workshop can't hurt.
he has experience and of course has done the workshops, he told me that his first major decision was to buy a house or a steadicam rig and camera he went with the rig, and owning/operating his rig freelance he does very well for himself. He's also does a lot of driving but doing work for tv and likes can pay, having an extensive reel, and making contacts through the workshop can't hurt.