Greetings from Scotland

Andy Graham · May 22nd, 2006, 03:58 PM

Hey Fraser, welcome to DVinfo.In here there is everything you ever need to know about filmmaking. And I see you already have some very good offers.

Pat the edinburgh film festival is on the 14th - 27th of august.....i really should go along myself one of these years!

Andy.

Pat Celec · May 23rd, 2006, 09:59 AM

Thanks for the update on the film festival, Andy....Aren't there more events, again, in Aug '06 ?? Reading about the Fringe/International Festivals in travel brochures...Similar to "open mike nite" - where acts go up on stage, doing all sorts of acts/tricks, etc. open to anyone with any talent.

Looking to do some sort of documentation of this, and wondering if anyone else is covering these festivals?

Either that, or to help with existing coverage. I'm so sick of weddings, want to document events now. It would be interesting to run second camera on a Scottish wedding....anything different appeals to me...

Any further thoughts?

John Steele · May 23rd, 2006, 12:50 PM

Hi Pat,

Don't worry, there are a tonne of things on during the fringe/festival, the film festival is just one part of this. It's the best time of year to be going to Edinburgh :D

John.

Douglas R. Bruce · May 23rd, 2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Celec

Reading about the Fringe/International Festivals in travel brochures...Similar to "open mike nite" - where acts go up on stage, doing all sorts of acts/tricks, etc. open to anyone with any talent.
Any further thoughts?

Hello Pat, I think you will find that the Fringe activities are vast in comparison to an "open mike nite".
There is no "stage" . The whole city of Edinburgh is the stage! Acts take place on street corners, in halls, in parks........ just about anywhere.
I must say that as a Scot I have still never been to the Edinburgh festival. This year I will travel home to Scotland with my family - but it will be in July. So I will be a wee bit too early for the Festival.
Have a nice time......

Allen McLaughlin · July 28th, 2006, 06:12 AM

Hi everyone,

I just joined the forum following my recent Canon XL-2 purchase and thought I'd 'go with the flow' by giving some details about myself...

Televison cameraman is my day job and how I got to be there goes like this... Back in 1988 aged 17, when I left high school with little or no qualifications, I realised I had two options in front of me, 1: Go full time in the supermarket I was already working part time in, or 2: Find something I wanted to do, go learn how to do it and hopefully make a job out of it?

So I enrolled in a basic, entry level media studies course at my local further education college, having harboured a latent interest in photography and video making for some time. The course was really basic and simple but gave me the chance to play with video cameras, editing equipment and some lights. I was truly bitten by the video bug and after a year on that course spent another 3 years doing more advanced television courses until in 1993 I got a Higher National Diploma in Television Production.

Throughout that time I made contact with local small scale production houses, mainly low budget corporate work and wedding coverage. I got little one off gigs with these guys, building up my experience and skills. In 1992 I was given the opportunity by the BBC to take part in a workshop weekend for young people at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, where along with some other media and high school students we made a little film about being young and trying to break into the business. The film was shown in front of some of the biggest players in global broadcasting, and we came away from that experience feeling super charged and ready to take on the world.

After college and a period of unemployment, I got involved for 8 months in a little community video workshop, making 'local news' programmes to show in handicapped homes and centres for the elderly and impaired. Through that programme, I was offered in 1994 the chance to do 10 weeks practical work experience, with the local ITV television broadcaster 'Scottish Television' in Glasgow.

That 10 weeks turned into a job as a camera assistant, working on all kinds of Betacam SP shoots, including drama and feature work for various TV shows. Eventually I was let loose behind a camera myself and spent 5 and a half years there as a staff cameraman filming multi-cam studio shows, outside broadcast events and single camera lighting shoots.

In 1999, I was offered a 'Senior Cameraman' position within the BBC and that is where I am to this day. I do all kinds of exciting work, in all kinds of places. Just 3 weeks ago I was onstage at a rock festival shooting The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Who to name but two. Last year I shot one of the UK 'Live 8' concerts and got to meet people like George Clooney, Claudia Schiffer, Bono and Bob Geldof. Next week I'm lighting camerman on a new pre-school kids drama programme called 'Me Too' airing on BBC television this September. I shoot on Digital-Betacam and DV-Cam most of the time as well as the odd thing on Mini-dv. At the moment we're re-equipping with HD formats at both the high and low end of the the programme making spectrum. Next year we're moving to a brand new purpose built, state of the art HD broadcasting centre on the Glasgow riverfront. http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/aboutus/pacificquay/

Shooting rock music is one of my favourite things, but I also enjoy working in drama/soaps, sports coverage and one off events such as arts festivals, big public affairs such as royal or state events and whatever else comes along.

What I really enjoy is the variety the job offers and think myself lucky I chose this path or I might still be stacking shelves in that supermarket with a sarcastic expression firmly stuck on my face.

At the moment I'm about to use my XL-2 in 25p mode to shoot a rock video for a friends rock band www.logan-net.com They're doing well and have been hanging around the UK rock chart with their last single for the past 5 weeks or so. It's a great life in video/tv and I'd especially encourage anyone who may be leaving school or be unemployed or wishes a change in career to shoot high and go for it. I've never looked back and that's nearly twenty years of creative satisfaction !!!

Rob Lohman · July 28th, 2006, 06:24 AM

Hi Allen, welcome aboard (H)DV Info Net. Thanks for the detailed introduction,
good to have you with us!

Jerry Porter · July 28th, 2006, 06:47 AM

Thanks for the intro. Sounds like you've had a fun career so far and a wealth of knowledge to share. Welcome to the group.

Lori Starfelt · July 28th, 2006, 11:16 PM

I've forwarded a copy of your post to a confused girlfriend who is a fine photographer looking for a new career. Hopefully, she'll have as much fun as you obviously had. :)

Andy Graham · July 29th, 2006, 01:00 PM

Hey Allen, Just thought id say hi since im in the neighbourhood.

Your training is pretty much the same route i took, 1 year motherwell college doing media studies and 2 years at stevensen for my HND in TV Ops. The only difirence is i wanted to work for myself.

By the way I was at Tin the park at both the chillies and the who, i was watching all the camera crew so i probably saw you there.

The who were amazing.....wot a gig.

Andy.

Allen McLaughlin · July 29th, 2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Graham

Hey Allen, Just thought id say hi since im in the neighbourhood.

Your training is pretty much the same route i took, 1 year motherwell college doing media studies and 2 years at stevensen for my HND in TV Ops. The only difirence is i wanted to work for myself.

By the way I was at Tin the park at both the chillies and the who, i was watching all the camera crew so i probably saw you there.

The who were amazing.....wot a gig.

Andy.

I was the man shooting Chad Smith, now there's a good guy !

Craig McWilliams · January 31st, 2007, 05:38 AM

Thought I'd say hello and introduce myself.

I am a fulltime professional photographer with a studio based in Largs in Scotland, specialising in the wedding market, travelling throughout the UK.

I turned fulltime pro 18 months ago after spending the past 15 years, first as a graphic designer and then I have no idea how but I ended up in IT Support and then as a IT security consultant with IBM. I gave up the boaring consultant job via voluntary redundancy and did what I have always wanted to do when I turned 30, work for myself. I have always had an interest in photography and video from about 15 when I started making money at a Saturday job.

I have more experience in the photography side so used those skills to get a business off the ground and provide some kind of income. 18 months later I am now getting to indulge my interest in video, having just recently purchased a XL1 from ebay (and a few accessories) to learn video techniques and video editing. The XL1 will hopefully help me to educate me and practice skills and begin picking up some work before I spend money on a more expensive piece of kit.

The longer term goal is to hopefully pick up wedding video bookings for dates where we don't have photography booking. And where we are booked for weddings maybe have a few people we can call to join us and do the video side.

Been lurking a bit to gleam as much about the XL1 system as I could, now time to give a little back and start posting......

Rob Lohman · January 31st, 2007, 09:08 AM

Hi Craig, welcome aboard DV Info Net, good to have you with us!

Martin D. Smith · November 12th, 2007, 05:51 AM

Hi
Is anyone here from Scotland, especially the Dundee area. I am looking for people from all aspects of film, video and photography who are keen to make shorts and music videos and generally have a bit of fun doing it. The music videos is a side that may become commercial quite soon as I have already done 3 of them and hope to expand very soon
Let me know, it could be fun.
Cheers Martin

Andy Graham · November 21st, 2007, 10:25 AM

Hey Martin, could you give a bit more information, is the work paid or unpaid ? do you have any examples of music videos you've shot?. I work as a freelance camera/steadicam operator and editor based in Lanark, its a fair bit way from dundee but if the work was paid i would be interested.

Cheers
Andy.

Alex Calderhead · November 21st, 2007, 11:37 AM

Hi martin,

I would be interested in helping. I have made a couple of music DVD's. The most recent being a live performance of Albannach soon to be released.
My interests are varied though including historical documentaries.

Alex.

May 22nd, 2006, 03:58 PM	#61
Andy Graham Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lanark,Scotland Posts: 736	Hey Fraser, welcome to DVinfo.In here there is everything you ever need to know about filmmaking. And I see you already have some very good offers. Pat the edinburgh film festival is on the 14th - 27th of august.....i really should go along myself one of these years! Andy. __________________ Actor: "where would that light be coming from?" DP: "same place as the music" -Andrew Lesnie-

May 23rd, 2006, 09:59 AM	#62
Pat Celec New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Richboro, PA Posts: 11	More about the fesitvals in Edinburgh Thanks for the update on the film festival, Andy....Aren't there more events, again, in Aug '06 ?? Reading about the Fringe/International Festivals in travel brochures...Similar to "open mike nite" - where acts go up on stage, doing all sorts of acts/tricks, etc. open to anyone with any talent. Looking to do some sort of documentation of this, and wondering if anyone else is covering these festivals? Either that, or to help with existing coverage. I'm so sick of weddings, want to document events now. It would be interesting to run second camera on a Scottish wedding....anything different appeals to me... Any further thoughts?

July 28th, 2006, 06:12 AM	#65
Allen McLaughlin Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Paisley, Scotland UK Posts: 99	Greetings from Bonnie Scotland ! Hi everyone, I just joined the forum following my recent Canon XL-2 purchase and thought I'd 'go with the flow' by giving some details about myself... Televison cameraman is my day job and how I got to be there goes like this... Back in 1988 aged 17, when I left high school with little or no qualifications, I realised I had two options in front of me, 1: Go full time in the supermarket I was already working part time in, or 2: Find something I wanted to do, go learn how to do it and hopefully make a job out of it? So I enrolled in a basic, entry level media studies course at my local further education college, having harboured a latent interest in photography and video making for some time. The course was really basic and simple but gave me the chance to play with video cameras, editing equipment and some lights. I was truly bitten by the video bug and after a year on that course spent another 3 years doing more advanced television courses until in 1993 I got a Higher National Diploma in Television Production. Throughout that time I made contact with local small scale production houses, mainly low budget corporate work and wedding coverage. I got little one off gigs with these guys, building up my experience and skills. In 1992 I was given the opportunity by the BBC to take part in a workshop weekend for young people at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, where along with some other media and high school students we made a little film about being young and trying to break into the business. The film was shown in front of some of the biggest players in global broadcasting, and we came away from that experience feeling super charged and ready to take on the world. After college and a period of unemployment, I got involved for 8 months in a little community video workshop, making 'local news' programmes to show in handicapped homes and centres for the elderly and impaired. Through that programme, I was offered in 1994 the chance to do 10 weeks practical work experience, with the local ITV television broadcaster 'Scottish Television' in Glasgow. That 10 weeks turned into a job as a camera assistant, working on all kinds of Betacam SP shoots, including drama and feature work for various TV shows. Eventually I was let loose behind a camera myself and spent 5 and a half years there as a staff cameraman filming multi-cam studio shows, outside broadcast events and single camera lighting shoots. In 1999, I was offered a 'Senior Cameraman' position within the BBC and that is where I am to this day. I do all kinds of exciting work, in all kinds of places. Just 3 weeks ago I was onstage at a rock festival shooting The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Who to name but two. Last year I shot one of the UK 'Live 8' concerts and got to meet people like George Clooney, Claudia Schiffer, Bono and Bob Geldof. Next week I'm lighting camerman on a new pre-school kids drama programme called 'Me Too' airing on BBC television this September. I shoot on Digital-Betacam and DV-Cam most of the time as well as the odd thing on Mini-dv. At the moment we're re-equipping with HD formats at both the high and low end of the the programme making spectrum. Next year we're moving to a brand new purpose built, state of the art HD broadcasting centre on the Glasgow riverfront. http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/aboutus/pacificquay/ Shooting rock music is one of my favourite things, but I also enjoy working in drama/soaps, sports coverage and one off events such as arts festivals, big public affairs such as royal or state events and whatever else comes along. What I really enjoy is the variety the job offers and think myself lucky I chose this path or I might still be stacking shelves in that supermarket with a sarcastic expression firmly stuck on my face. At the moment I'm about to use my XL-2 in 25p mode to shoot a rock video for a friends rock band www.logan-net.com They're doing well and have been hanging around the UK rock chart with their last single for the past 5 weeks or so. It's a great life in video/tv and I'd especially encourage anyone who may be leaving school or be unemployed or wishes a change in career to shoot high and go for it. I've never looked back and that's nearly twenty years of creative satisfaction !!!

July 28th, 2006, 06:24 AM	#66
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Hi Allen, welcome aboard (H)DV Info Net. Thanks for the detailed introduction, good to have you with us! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 28th, 2006, 11:16 PM	#68
Lori Starfelt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles, california Posts: 228	Sounds like you've had your fun. I've forwarded a copy of your post to a confused girlfriend who is a fine photographer looking for a new career. Hopefully, she'll have as much fun as you obviously had. :)

May 23rd, 2006, 12:50 PM	#63
John Steele Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 216	Hi Pat, Don't worry, there are a tonne of things on during the fringe/festival, the film festival is just one part of this. It's the best time of year to be going to Edinburgh :D John.

July 28th, 2006, 06:47 AM	#67
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	Thanks for the intro. Sounds like you've had a fun career so far and a wealth of knowledge to share. Welcome to the group.

July 29th, 2006, 01:00 PM	#69
Andy Graham Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lanark,Scotland Posts: 736	Hey Allen, Just thought id say hi since im in the neighbourhood. Your training is pretty much the same route i took, 1 year motherwell college doing media studies and 2 years at stevensen for my HND in TV Ops. The only difirence is i wanted to work for myself. By the way I was at Tin the park at both the chillies and the who, i was watching all the camera crew so i probably saw you there. The who were amazing.....wot a gig. Andy. __________________ Actor: "where would that light be coming from?" DP: "same place as the music" -Andrew Lesnie-

January 31st, 2007, 05:38 AM	#71
Craig McWilliams Tourist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Largs, Scotland Posts: 1	Hello from Scotland Thought I'd say hello and introduce myself. I am a fulltime professional photographer with a studio based in Largs in Scotland, specialising in the wedding market, travelling throughout the UK. I turned fulltime pro 18 months ago after spending the past 15 years, first as a graphic designer and then I have no idea how but I ended up in IT Support and then as a IT security consultant with IBM. I gave up the boaring consultant job via voluntary redundancy and did what I have always wanted to do when I turned 30, work for myself. I have always had an interest in photography and video from about 15 when I started making money at a Saturday job. I have more experience in the photography side so used those skills to get a business off the ground and provide some kind of income. 18 months later I am now getting to indulge my interest in video, having just recently purchased a XL1 from ebay (and a few accessories) to learn video techniques and video editing. The XL1 will hopefully help me to educate me and practice skills and begin picking up some work before I spend money on a more expensive piece of kit. The longer term goal is to hopefully pick up wedding video bookings for dates where we don't have photography booking. And where we are booked for weddings maybe have a few people we can call to join us and do the video side. Been lurking a bit to gleam as much about the XL1 system as I could, now time to give a little back and start posting......

January 31st, 2007, 09:08 AM	#72
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Hi Craig, welcome aboard DV Info Net, good to have you with us! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 12th, 2007, 05:51 AM	#73
Martin D. Smith New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dundee Scotland Posts: 15	Anyone From Scotland - Dundee Hi Is anyone here from Scotland, especially the Dundee area. I am looking for people from all aspects of film, video and photography who are keen to make shorts and music videos and generally have a bit of fun doing it. The music videos is a side that may become commercial quite soon as I have already done 3 of them and hope to expand very soon Let me know, it could be fun. Cheers Martin

November 21st, 2007, 10:25 AM	#74
Andy Graham Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lanark,Scotland Posts: 736	Hey Martin, could you give a bit more information, is the work paid or unpaid ? do you have any examples of music videos you've shot?. I work as a freelance camera/steadicam operator and editor based in Lanark, its a fair bit way from dundee but if the work was paid i would be interested. Cheers Andy. __________________ Actor: "where would that light be coming from?" DP: "same place as the music" -Andrew Lesnie-

November 21st, 2007, 11:37 AM	#75
Alex Calderhead New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 16	Hi martin, I would be interested in helping. I have made a couple of music DVD's. The most recent being a live performance of Albannach soon to be released. My interests are varied though including historical documentaries. Alex.