Services
for this workshop provided by the
following companies.
Q.
"Why offer this and why would I need to take
it?
A.
During the past 2+ years I have received
dozens of emails and phone calls from
Photographers and Rental companies and
rental studios asking that somebody offer
training for new assistants because the
current crop of assistants is seriously
under skilled. And the photo schools are
turning out graduates that have no skills no
knowledge of lighting or traditional
photography yet show up on set with an
unwarranted sense of entitlement. "Sorry
kids, I'm not going to sugar coat it".
I've
personally worked with assistants claiming to
have a BA in photography and they've never
used a light meter, loaded film, or even
used a 4x5 or 645 camera.
This just will not do.
Recently I saw a post in the forums of
another site in which someone working on
there masters thesis in photography wanted
to know how to do lighting for a series of
portraits. "So if not lighting, then what
are these schools teaching?"
Q.
What does the certification involve?
A.
That means were actually going to test you
on what we've taught you. It would make no
sense to rattle off a bunch of information
and not have you be able to perform once on
a photo shoot. Unlike other workshops that
will certify you for sitting through their
workshop, I want to know that you actually
learned something.
"You don't pass my test you don't get certified."
There are
few old school photographers and
experienced assistants around any more to
teach the basics so we have taken it upon
ourselves to do so.
When I started assisting there was no one willing to tell me how to go about it,
and trying to get work with photographers that were willing to train you and pay you at the
same time were few and far between.
"You can't get work with out experience &
You can't get experience unless you get some
work!"
Now you have the option to get some
experience and learn some of the skills that
will help you to get on jobs quicker.
This workshop/Boot camp removes
some of those variables and provides you with
the opportunity to learn from those in the industry and to speak with camera and
lighting company reps.
It is our hope that the
rental companies and photo
companies/manufactures will take the
initiative and also get involved since all
of you are there demographic; both present
and future.
Q.
Hey James, why are you going to charge
assistants and students for this info, you
should give it away for free?
A.
Because
"Speed's expensive, how fast you want to
go?"
