ACE Marine Images Advanced Underwater Film-Maker Course

 

Introduction

The ACE Marine Images Advanced Underwater Film-Maker course is an SSI (Scuba Schools International) approved course, on successful completion of the course you will receive a specialty SSI certification. This globally recognised underwater video course was written and developed by ACE Marine Images in conjunction with SSI and is the result of over 12 years of underwater filming experience around the world at the highest level working alongside some of the best in the broadcast industry! SSI allows the course to be flexible, in other words we will adapt the course, day by day, depending on your individual skill level and progress, based on both camera skills and diving ability. This ensures that every student gains maximum input and is also the reason why we limit numbers to a maximum of 2 students per course.

Course Outline

The underwater video course begins with two or three half day sessions (depending on your progress) of on-land photography instruction, with a strong focus on composition and developing the eye, and instruction on above water video camera techniques; then 8 dives with a camera on some of Koh Tao's best dive sites.

We believe strongly that a good camera operator must be capable of capturing appealing, strong, technically correct images and not rely on postproduction, hence we introduce editing at the end of the course when you will have the chance to produce a film from your final 2 dives using Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premier, 2 of the industry standards. This is the downfall of many amateur courses we have seen where the focus is on postproduction, not on underwater skill development. Good images are the result of skill, natural and learned ability, and dedication at the moment you press record, not from being a computer whiz kid.

All 8 dives are done with an accomplished ACE buddy who will fill the roles of teacher, dive leader and model.  The first two dives are used to gauge the student's buoyancy and general diving ability with a video camera, and to assist them if needed in improving these rudimentary skills. It is very important that you are able to control your buoyancy using only your breathing and fining movements, don't forget your hands are now holding a camera; many of our students are divemasters and instructors who believe they have perfect buoyancy until they try to master our techniques!

ACE Marine Images pays particular attention to safety and second to having zero impact on the marine environment! We don't damage the coral and we don't chase whale sharks at ACE Marine Images!

Dives 3,4,5 and 6 (2 dives per day) are then spent teaching you in-water filming techniques, pans, reveals, fly-overs and many more; how to make best use of the available light, how to approach and film certain types of marine life and to perfect your angles and generally helping you to develop the skill basis necessary to become an excellent underwater cameraman or woman.  The footage from each day's diving is reviewed post dive and feedback, both good and bad, is given to the student, we believe in constructive criticism, not just positive reinforcement. This way we can carefully monitor your progress and adapt the focus of the course accordingly, some skills will require extra instruction or clarification and every one of us is different.

Dives 7 and 8 of the underwater video course are your chance to shine. This is where you take everything you have learnt during the course and film enough exceptional footage to use in the final session of the course, editing. This session is brief, usually one afternoon, and is used to give you an idea of how we use our postproduction software, Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere. After this session you will receive your completed 15-20 minute DVD, nicely edited with a music soundtrack and some graphics. It is at this point where you'll also receive your certification card and, if you decide to, move on to your internship.

 

Underwater Video Course requirements

All video equipment and diving equipment is provided and included in the course price; we do recommend those of you looking at taking it further have your own dive gear as familiarity is key.

The course can be undertaken by Open Water Divers but we strongly recommend that you complete the Advanced Open Water Diver Course or equivalent prior to taking the ACE Marine Images Underwater Film-Maker Course as we feel that will put you in a better position to gain more from us; furthermore we advise you to complete the Rescue Diver Course as safety is our primary concern. Should you wish to take your Advanced Open Water certification or Rescue Diver Course prior to joining us, we will be happy to make those arrangements for you. ACE Marine Images only operate with the very best and most professional dive centers and resorts who continuously maintain our high level of safety standards!

 

Course Extras

ACE Marine Images alone, is able to incorporate the SSI Independent Diver Course (solo diver) into the underwater video training dives should you wish. Nitrox is also available upon request. Details available by contacting us!

 

New Experience ACE Marine Images Courses

We are now offering new reduced underwater video courses for those of you with limited time that wish to get a taste for the underwater video experience. We do not recommend these courses as a substitute as the original 8 dive course has been carefully produced to gain the maximum knowledge in the minimum number of dives. That has proven over years of teaching experience to be the optimum that we feel are necessary in order to reach the standard on which one can continue to develop their own skills. Please note that these New Experience ACE Marine Images Courses will not result in certification until completion of the 8 dive Advanced Underwater Filmmaker Course.

Both these courses include the same outline as the Advanced Underwater Filmmaker Course but have a reduced number of dives and days involved!

 

Course Prices

Advanced Underwater Filmmaker - 8 dives - 30,000 Baht

New Experience Course A - 4 dives - 17,000 Baht

New Experience Course B - 2 dives - 10,000 Baht

 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us!