What people say after training with us
Comments from reporters, operators and newsroom colleagues about their courses, written in their own words and kept to what they actually did on the day.
Experiences from our training days
Here are comments from people who have taken part in our courses. They describe specific moments and skills rather than general praise.
“I had shot plenty of handheld footage but never understood why some of it looked unsteady. David showed me how to use my stance and breathing, and the difference showed up on playback the same afternoon. I now shoot more confidently and my edits need less patching.”
“Helen watched my piece to camera several times and kept asking me to simplify my script. By the third take I was speaking rather than reading. I still use her trick of saying a sentence aloud before I write it down.”
“We booked a team day for six of us, and Priya built the live rehearsal around the way we actually work. The moment she changed the cue halfway through was uncomfortable, but it taught us more than any talk could have done.”
“The interview session changed how I place the camera. Before, I stood wherever was convenient; now I think about the guest's eyeline and the sound first. My recorded interviews cut together far more easily than they did.”
How to get the most from a training day
People who have attended give similar advice on preparing. A little thought beforehand means more time is spent on practice and less on setting up. These points come from what tutors see on the day.
Know your own work
Think about which parts of your current work feel least secure. It might be keeping a shot steady, sounding natural in front of the lens or handling a live cue. Tell us when you enquire, and the tutor can build exercises around those points. Bring examples of recent footage or scripts if you have them. Reviewing real work gives the tutor something concrete to discuss, and it usually leads to more useful feedback than starting from nothing.
Come ready to practise
Training here is mostly doing: filming, reciting, interviewing and repeating. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy footwear for outdoor sessions, and bring a layer in case the weather changes. You will be both behind and in front of the camera, so expect to be reviewed. That can feel awkward at first, but groups are small and supportive, and most people find the second take far easier than the first.
Plan what happens afterwards
A single day gives you techniques to practise, not a finished skill. Decide beforehand how you will use what you learn, whether on your next shoot or in your next live crossing. Tutors will point out the habits worth working on first. If you manage a team, think about whether colleagues might benefit from the same course, since a shared approach makes working together on location smoother.
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Write to us: hello@elupho.com