Using students/interns as second/third camera ops

Bernie Johansen · January 23rd, 2013, 11:52 PM

A couple of years ago I was stuck for a second videographer when my usual two other guys were both unavailable, so I called my old film school and asked them if they had any promising students that would like to pick up a bit of paid work. They passed on a couple of names and phone numbers and now one of those students is now my first choice second camera operator.

Filming a wedding is a very fragile operation with no retakes - if you screw up something important, there's no way of getting it back. That's why I wouldn't really consider asking anyone to work for me unpaid, as I don't think they would take it as seriously, and I really really need to trust my employees.

Danny O'Neill · January 24th, 2013, 01:29 PM

No problems using students and interns here. Just give them a little training (ours go through a 1 day bootcamp) and then your good to go.

This is one shot by myself and one of our student guys

Adrian Tan · January 24th, 2013, 06:41 PM

Looked like a very well shot video to me. Thanks for posting.

Loved the confetti shot (or whatever it is they're throwing)... and one thing that struck me is that it's unusual framing. If I was behind the lens, I probably would have lined up the couple's eyes with the top 1/3 of the frame, and not thought too much more about it. But your framing was better for a whole bunch of reasons...

Phil Murray · January 25th, 2013, 07:01 PM

I agree with Adrian. Danny. I really enjoyed your video. I'd be curious if you could point out some of the shots that the student did -- not necessarily all, but maybe just a few, to see how they compare. I saw some that I thought might have been student-shot clips, but I really wouldn't bet on any of them. The whole thing looked very well done.

BTW, what cameras did each of you use?

Paul Mailath · January 25th, 2013, 07:42 PM

I have a regular deal with the local uni who recommends a couple of 2nd & 3rd year film students each year - I bring them along as assistants for the 1st few weddings, give them some training and if I think they can handle it I'll give them a go, some don't work out - some do (I find the girls are best, maybe they can see the imortance of a wedding)

I always pay, supply all the quipment and pre-determine camera placement etc. the biggest problem I have? they tend to rely on the monitor for focus and not the viewfinder - must be something they're taught.

With film or media studies students I find they know some of the basics and are not set in their ways so I can train them the way I want. I also pay them to edit if their interested. It's unlikely thet they will stay with you for years but so what? - somewhere along the line you got a chance, a break - it feels good to pass it along.

I've never had one go off and start their own wedding business (good luck to them if they did) but I have had one go on to become an editor for a TV station, another got telepromepter work on another network and then there's Andy - who moved to Thailand to become a video journalist for a major newspaper.

I'm thrilled that I may have had some small part in their progress.

Victor Nguyen · January 31st, 2013, 03:53 AM

I like how you guys are paying for your student shooters. I am very good with DSLR and have my own gear from tripod, monopod, sliders, 8 different lenses, and good understanding of composition and exposure. I have worked on 4 weddings with this guy and he still haven't paid me yet. There was one wedding where he didn't even have a second shooter and I have to fill in that role. But he does teach me a lot though so that's why I'm not as angry.

On the topic of students becoming your competition: don't worry about it (if you don't give them the footage) because past qualities of work, referral, and connections are very important. They'll have to start from the bottom and climb up.

January 23rd, 2013, 11:52 PM	#16
Bernie Johansen Regular Crew Join Date: May 2012 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 28	Re: Using students/interns as second/third camera ops A couple of years ago I was stuck for a second videographer when my usual two other guys were both unavailable, so I called my old film school and asked them if they had any promising students that would like to pick up a bit of paid work. They passed on a couple of names and phone numbers and now one of those students is now my first choice second camera operator. Filming a wedding is a very fragile operation with no retakes - if you screw up something important, there's no way of getting it back. That's why I wouldn't really consider asking anyone to work for me unpaid, as I don't think they would take it as seriously, and I really really need to trust my employees. __________________ Unforgettable Multimedia \| Brisbane Wedding Videography

January 24th, 2013, 01:29 PM	#17
Danny O'Neill Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northampton, UK Posts: 915	Re: Using students/interns as second/third camera ops No problems using students and interns here. Just give them a little training (ours go through a 1 day bootcamp) and then your good to go. This is one shot by myself and one of our student guys Rosie & Danny on Vimeo __________________ mintyslippers.com

January 24th, 2013, 06:41 PM	#18
Adrian Tan Trustee Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,149	Re: Using students/interns as second/third camera ops Looked like a very well shot video to me. Thanks for posting. Loved the confetti shot (or whatever it is they're throwing)... and one thing that struck me is that it's unusual framing. If I was behind the lens, I probably would have lined up the couple's eyes with the top 1/3 of the frame, and not thought too much more about it. But your framing was better for a whole bunch of reasons...

January 25th, 2013, 07:01 PM	#19
Phil Murray Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 375	Re: Using students/interns as second/third camera ops I agree with Adrian. Danny. I really enjoyed your video. I'd be curious if you could point out some of the shots that the student did -- not necessarily all, but maybe just a few, to see how they compare. I saw some that I thought might have been student-shot clips, but I really wouldn't bet on any of them. The whole thing looked very well done. BTW, what cameras did each of you use?

January 25th, 2013, 07:42 PM	#20
Paul Mailath Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Coast - NSW, Australia Posts: 1,606	Re: Using students/interns as second/third camera ops I have a regular deal with the local uni who recommends a couple of 2nd & 3rd year film students each year - I bring them along as assistants for the 1st few weddings, give them some training and if I think they can handle it I'll give them a go, some don't work out - some do (I find the girls are best, maybe they can see the imortance of a wedding) I always pay, supply all the quipment and pre-determine camera placement etc. the biggest problem I have? they tend to rely on the monitor for focus and not the viewfinder - must be something they're taught. With film or media studies students I find they know some of the basics and are not set in their ways so I can train them the way I want. I also pay them to edit if their interested. It's unlikely thet they will stay with you for years but so what? - somewhere along the line you got a chance, a break - it feels good to pass it along. I've never had one go off and start their own wedding business (good luck to them if they did) but I have had one go on to become an editor for a TV station, another got telepromepter work on another network and then there's Andy - who moved to Thailand to become a video journalist for a major newspaper. I'm thrilled that I may have had some small part in their progress. __________________ Cheers - Paul M. www.perbenyik.com

January 31st, 2013, 03:53 AM	#21
Victor Nguyen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 289	Re: Using students/interns as second/third camera ops I like how you guys are paying for your student shooters. I am very good with DSLR and have my own gear from tripod, monopod, sliders, 8 different lenses, and good understanding of composition and exposure. I have worked on 4 weddings with this guy and he still haven't paid me yet. There was one wedding where he didn't even have a second shooter and I have to fill in that role. But he does teach me a lot though so that's why I'm not as angry. On the topic of students becoming your competition: don't worry about it (if you don't give them the footage) because past qualities of work, referral, and connections are very important. They'll have to start from the bottom and climb up.