FAQ

Do I need a high-end smartphone to attend the training?

Not necessarily – a lot of what we teach is technique that can be applied to any camera whether it is film industry standard or a smartphone camera. Most mid-range phones will have a camera suitable for shooting acceptable footage. Some of the features will vary but often it is a case of understanding the settings on your camera and how to get the best out of them.

However, with some older operating systems you may not be able to avail of the full range of features in the editing app. This is one of the topics we cover in our pre-booking consultation.

Do I need to invest in any additional equipment before the training?

We would recommend that you attend the course before spending any money on extra equipment. There is currently a lot of equipment on the market specially designed to enhance your smartphone filming and it can be very alluring!

On the course we introduce you to some simple, affordable pieces of equipment which will help you get started. We advise you on what equipment will suit your own purposes and steer you away from some of the expensive shiny new gadgets that you may not need.

Kieran is a professionally trained and experienced sound engineer so one of his favourite saying is 'You get what you pay for' when it comes to microphones. Once we understand your objectives and your budget we will recommend the best microphone for your purposes within your price range. During the course you will have the opportunity to use our equipment to see what suits you best. Depending on the style of video you are hoping to produce you may not need a microphone at all. But audio is the one that you need to get right - there is nothing more off-putting to your audience than bad audio.

We can help you get it right!

I am camera shy, do I have to appear on camera during the course?

No, not necessarily, you do not have to be the subject of your own videos. In fact, we recommend, particularly when you are starting out, that you concentrate on your filming and editing skills before putting yourself under pressure to be a presenter and the star of your own show as well. When you are comfortable and confident with the equipment and filming techniques then you can start thinking about performing on camera - and then only if it suits your purposes. 

Could I learn all of this by watching free YouTube videos?

Yes, as with everything these days quite a lot of the information you need to make better videos is available free online. To access it, though, will take you  time to research. In order to get all the necessary information you will need a clear idea of what it is you need to know to facilitate your search. 

We aim to be a one-stop shop where you can be confident that you are getting all the information you need in one place without having to spend hours surfing the net and getting sucked down distracting rabbit holes. Time is precious so we teach you only what you need to know.

We are experienced educators and video producers and have developed our training over many years working with clients from across a range of sectors with a variety needs.

Our pre-booking consultation aims to discover what you and your team know already and what you need to learn to reach your desired goal. This enables us to recommend then most suitable course from our pre-designed range or to build a course tailored to your specifications.

Also, learning in a group is much more fun than watching Youtube videos on your own!

And you will have the opportunity to practise using our equipment so you can make informed decisions before you invest.