Using Smartphones to capture high quality sound and pictures

As part of our Step Up strand, we're offering training to help individuals coming back into the industry after a break, moving into a new role or responsibility level, or improving skills in unscripted TV. 

How are Smartphones being used in the industry? What’s the best camera app out there?  What extra sound or lighting kit do I need? Gimbals, Selfie Sticks and even the a traditional  tripod – what’s best?

This three-hour session will answer these questions and much more, with practical demonstrations and clear explanations. You’ll be learning about the pros and cons of using 3rd party apps, after looking at built-in camera features and settings.

Andy will demo the Blackmagic Camera app including its amazing sound features, as well Rode Capture which allows use of both front and rear facing cameras simultaneously.

Finally you’ll see how to boost creativity by taking advantage of the small size of the phone, multiple phones, additional filters and lenses, and bokeh control.

A multi-input web presentation will be used so you can see the presenter, Smartphone camera output, close ups of accessories, and any supplemental information.

Who it's for

Anyone with a Smartphone will learn something useful! The session is targeted at content creators who have not yet explored the full potential of phones and the associated kit. In some sections Andy will be looking at professional settings so an awareness of traditional camera craft would be useful but by no means essential. People creating content for social media and also those working in traditional broadcast roles would benefit from this session. Phones are used more and more for casting, daily news, diary/vlogging, getting access to restricted areas, and additional angles supplementing traditional cameras.

What it covers

Cameraphone history and Industry usage

• How far we’ve come since the first cameraphone
• Use by broadcasters, social media, and movie making

Basics

• Phone prep – storage, power, ‘do not disturb’, brightness, etc
• Setting options for both iphone and Android
• Built in apps – essential features

Sound

• Problems using built in sound
• Choice of external mics
• Wired mics
• Wireless mics

Blackmagic App

• Operational Features and usage
• Settings

Rode Capture App

• Features and usage
• Dual Cam mode

Grip

• Tripods/monopods/selfie sticks
• Rigs and brackets
• Gimbals

Refining your shots

• Depth of field
• Artificial background defocus
• Using clip on ND filters
• Using clip on lenses
• Creative use of a small camera

Trainer: 

Andy Benjamin is a freelance trainer and camera op. He teaches in higher education, runs camera courses and operates for various TV companies as well as making bespoke films for local folk.

He started at the BBC in 1985 as a Studio Engineer at TV Centre, working on shows as diverse as ‘Play School’ and ‘Black Adder’. Andy re-trained as a technical operator and became skilled with cameras, sound, lighting and editing. A revolution happened in the mid-nineties with the launch of DV cameras, and an urgent need for training production staff was met by Andy exclusively for a year or so. Once the floodgates had opened, Andy’s pioneering work was taken up by colleagues and he moved on to become ‘dr. DV’ within BBC Production Modernisation. This service offered coaching, technical advice, innovation, telephone help, and ‘refresher’ tapes and CD’s.  Andy was used regularly by programmes as a Lighting Cameraman and Sound Recordist, keeping his skills current and refreshed. He has credits for ‘Panorama’, ‘Asian Dating’, ‘Dara O’Briens Science Club’ and many more.

In recent years Andy has supported the use of Smartphones for content creation at the BBC and is currently teaching a module at Bucks New University in this subject.

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘apply now’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application.

If you need additional support to complete your application or require the application form in an alternative format please contact USF@screenskills.com

Places on these free online courses are limited and applications are often highly competitive. To stand the best chance of securing a place, please be sure to consider the following:

• When asked to list your three most recent credits, please include the programme title and your job role.
• When asked what you hope to gain from the course, please be concise but ensure you cover the specific elements of the topic you would like to gain knowledge of and what gaps in your skillset you believe the course may address. A rewording of the course title or a general comment on career progression does not tell us much about how this course would benefit you.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the 'decline ticket' function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to this support, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.