Africa Media has developed a training syllabus consisting of direct tutorship, practical underwater expeditions and theoretical plus practical tuition for digital workflow and post-processing of your video. Read more about some of the things we cover below.
**Please note due to weather conditions and operational requirements this syllabus is an approximation only
DAY 1
Orientation – arrival and welcome. Day spent ensuring paperwork is completed, living arrangements established and a familiarity tour of the local town/area. Technical tricks are scattered throughout. Each day is full of the practical application of techniques.
DAY 2
Equipment and maintenance – Day spent learning about equipment, how to maintain it, when and where equipment is used and some of the basic settings of the equipment.
DAY 3
Introduction SCUBA Dives – First SCUBA dive(s)without cameras, used to introduce the marine life you will encounter, and also to practice essential SCUBA diving skills necessary to be successful (buoyancy, control, breathing).
DAY 4
Pool and rock pool videography incl. lighting techniques– Day spent using professional/prosumer grade cameras in a swimming and rock pool environment. Essential section to familiarise yourself with controls, camera setup and how to work with a large camera and artificial lights underwater.
DAY 5
Editing and Storytelling tutorials – Learn adobe premier via instructor assistance and video tutorials. Use your footage to start editing sequences. Afternoon to be dedicated to discussions on storytelling techniques and scripting.
DAY 6
Prosumer SCUBA dives – Double tank SCUBA dives using Gopro and light setup for video footage collecting. Focus on locating subjects, using lights, shot selection, and SCUBA controlNote: all double tank dives are subject to sea conditions and the safety of participants.
DAY 7
Prosumer SCUBA dives – Double tank SCUBA dives using Gopro and light setup for video footage collecting. Focus on locating subjects, using lights, shot selection, and SCUBA control.
DAY 8
Interview workshops – Onland lectures on working with human talent and the role of human talent in underwater films. Afternoon workshop on shooting broadcast quality interviews, including lighting, camera setup, audio and setting techniques.
DAY 9
B-Roll and Sequences – including scenics using drones, topside scenics, shooting over and under shots(pool and rockpool) and the variety of shots required to build a professional sequence.
DAY 10
Professional camera dives – Double tank dives using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These dives focus on collecting marine wildlife content,’b-roll’ in a variety of shots (closeup, medium, wide angle).
DAY 11
Professional camera dives – Double tank dive using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These dives focus on working with human talent and specifically ensuring humans can seamlessly enter into underwater sequences
DAY 12
Professional camera dives – Double tank dive using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These dives focus on the collection of marine wildlife footage and underwater scenics and a variety of underwater shots on subjects (medium, wide angle).
DAY 13
Editing – Use footage collected from all previous dives to produce engaging and compelling sequences of the underwater world, with overlaid expert interviews and B-roll. Critique session with the course instructor.
DAY 14
Aquarium (South Africa) expedition – Day to be spent using professional grade and prosumer grade cameras on a specialist trip to the open oceans thank at an Aquarium (South Africa).
DAY 15
Editing tutorials – Spend the day learning editing techniques
DAY 16
Professional camera dives – Double tank dives (if possible) using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. Dive focus on collecting content of marine wildlife, b-roll in a variety of shots (closeup, medium, wide angle).
DAY 17
Professional camera dives – Double tank dives using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These two dives focus on collecting marine wildlife content, b-roll in a variety of shots (closeup, medium, wide angle).
DAY 18
Editing & Lectures –
DAY 19
Professional camera dives – Double tank dives using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These two dives focus on collecting marine wildlife content, b-roll in a variety of shots (closeup, medium, wide angle).
DAY 20
Career development & Portfolio – Morning to be spent on career development for aspiring wildlife underwater videographers, including the development of professional network, freelancer work, social media marketing, and career opportunities. The afternoon will be spent finalising your video portfolio and exporting prior to an evening showing of the group portfolios.
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