I created this underwater videography training course for those who want to go beyond snapshots and start capturing the raw emotion and movement of the ocean. It’s for aspiring filmmakers, wildlife storytellers, and anyone with a deep respect for the marine world who wants to build serious underwater camera skills.
Based at the iconic Aliwal Shoal—one of South Africa’s top marine reserves—this program places you in the heart of the action. You’ll learn the art of underwater videography while diving with some of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring creatures. From cruising blacktip sharks and docile ragged-tooth sharks to the occasional flyby of massive humpback whales on their annual migration, Aliwal delivers unforgettable encounters that make for stunning footage.
Throughout the course, you’ll train with professional DSLR cameras in Sea&Sea housings, Panasonic video systems, and GoPros—paired with powerful LED lighting and accessories to bring clarity, color, and structure to your films. But it’s not just about equipment. You’ll also learn how to approach marine life calmly and confidently, using breath control and natural rhythm to become part of the underwater environment, essential for capturing compelling, close-range shots.
Pre-requisites
Because the program is dive-intensive, all participants must hold at least an open-water SCUBA certification. If you’re not certified yet, you can complete a 1- or 2-week intensive SCUBA course before beginning the videography course.
Overview
This intensive four-week program immerses participants in the full cycle of wildlife documentary production—from concept development through to filming, editing, and final screening. The course is taught by professional wildlife filmmakers and provides access to broadcast-quality equipment and real-world filming environments in South Africa.
Pre-production: Foundations & Pre-Production
Objectives:
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Develop technical competency with camera, audio, and drone equipment
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Learn documentary storytelling and planning techniques
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Scout and practice in controlled environments
Modules:
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Introduction to Wildlife Filmmaking: Ethics, Style & Structure
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Camera Operation: Panasonic P2, framing, focus, exposure, ND filters
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Audio Recording: Shotgun & wireless mics, field sound collection
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Drone Use: Basic flight skills, aerial filming strategies
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Wildlife Behaviour & Filming Techniques
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Expedition Filming Practice at:
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Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
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Birds of Eden Aviary
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Scripting and Storyboarding Your Documentary
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Planning Shoots for the Game Reserve: Logistics, Timing, Story Arcs
Production: Field Filming on Schotia Game Reserve
Objectives:
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Capture high-quality wildlife footage in natural environments
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Apply production planning to real-time field conditions
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Begin building your individual wildlife documentary
Daily Activities:
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Sunrise and sunset game drives for golden-hour footage
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Scene-building, character development, and narrative capture
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Field audio recording and environmental soundscapes
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Interviews (if applicable) and voiceover planning
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Daily rush review sessions with mentors for feedback and improvement
Focus Wildlife:
Big 5 species, grazers, predators, birdlife, landscapes, and ecological interactions
Post production: Post-Production & Editing
Objectives:
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Craft and complete your personal wildlife documentary
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Learn professional editing techniques: pacing, sound design, and colour grading
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Finalise and present your film
Modules & Sessions:
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Introduction to Adobe Premiere Pro
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Footage Logging & Media Management
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Editing Narrative Structure
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Colour Correction & Grading
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Audio Clean-up & Ambient Mixing
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Voiceover Integration & Music Licensing
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Titles, Lower Thirds, and Final Exporting
Final Evening: Film Premiere & Feedback
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Screening of all participant documentaries
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Group discussion and constructive critique
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Certificate of completion and a digital copy of your film
Welcome to the Shark Centre — your home during the Underwater Videography Program at Aliwal Shoal.
I designed the Shark Centre in 2016 as a dedicated space for ocean lovers — whether you’re a student, diver, or scientist. It’s more than just accommodation; it’s a fully equipped base for learning, filming, and relaxing between dives.
Our centre is located just 100 metres from our dive partner, Scuba Xcursion, and the launch site — so you can roll out of bed and be on the boat within minutes. With sleeping space for up to 16 guests, the Shark Centre offers comfortable shared and private rooms, a fully equipped lecture room, editing workstations, and fast internet.
Between dives and editing sessions, enjoy hearty home-style meals prepared fresh daily — breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in your stay. We cater for most dietary requirements and keep the coffee flowing. And when the day winds down, the balcony offers sweeping views of the Indian Ocean — perfect for reviewing footage, relaxing, or watching the sun set over the reef you just explored.
To offer this course, I have partnered with various wildlife and media organisations in South Africa. Specifically, mentoring and training are offered with Africa Media, the company I founded in 2014. In addition, we access incredible wildlife via our long-established partnerships with Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and the famous Schotia Private Game Reserve.
Accommodation & Meals
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Comfortable accommodation (single or dorm) for the full duration of the program
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Three meals per day are prepared on site
Expert Training & Filming Experience
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Daily tuition and mentorship from experienced wildlife filmmakers
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8 full days of immersive filming and living on Schotia game reserve
- Day expedition to Monkelyland and Birds of Eden
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Personal feedback and practical skills development
Professional Filmmaking Equipment
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Use of broadcast-quality HD video cameras (Panasonic P2)
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Access to professional audio gear (shotgun mics, wireless systems, recorders)
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Use of a professional drone for aerial filming sessions
Excursions & Locations
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Guided filming expeditions to Monkeyland and Birds of Eden
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On-site location scouting and story development assistance
Transport & Connectivity
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Ground transport to and from George Airport (on official arrival and departure days)
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Internet access during the program
Travel
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International and domestic flights to South Africa
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Any visa or travel documentation fees required for entry
Additional Services
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Laundry service during the program
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Any tourism excursions not included in the official itinerary
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Personal snacks, extra beverages, or special dietary items
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Tips for game rangers and reserve staff (optional but appreciated)
Optional Add-Ons
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Any additional short courses or training modules you choose to take outside the core program
Early Arrival or Late Departure
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If you arrive before the 1st or leave after the 28th of the month, an additional USD 50/day will be charged to cover meals and accommodation
No, on this courseyou are entitled to enter South Africa on a temporary visitors permit (e.g. tourism permit). Tourist visiting visas are usually issued for three months/90 days upon entry into South Africa. However, we do recommend that you contact the South African Embassy or Consulate in your country and confirm this fact. If you plan to travel in South Africa prior to or after the course for a period extending 90 days, you will have to apply for a Volunteer VISA application through your home embassy.
Quickly evaluate the visa status of your country when visiting South Africa here
No, you don’t need to bring your own camera. The course provides access to a full range of professional broadcast equipment, including video cameras, audio gear, drones, and editing facilities. That said, many students do choose to bring their own cameras—especially DSLR or mirrorless models—which can produce outstanding footage and give you extra flexibility to shoot during free time or in your preferred style.
Cameras Available
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8 × Panasonic HVX-200P series P2 video cameras
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2 × Sony NEX100 video cameras
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1 x Sony A7S mkii camera
- 5 × GoPro cameras (used for effects and secondary angles)
- 2 × DJI drones
Audio Equipment
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8 × RODE shotgun microphones (boom or camera-mounted)
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2 × Lavallière radio mic systems (Sennheiser and Sony)
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1 × Tascam digital audio recorder
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1 × RODE DSLR-mounted shotgun microphone
Accessories
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8 × Video camera tripods
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8 × Video ‘throw bags’ (for mobile shooting)
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1 × Video camera crane
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3 × Reflectors
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1 × Radio-controlled ‘cub cam’ filming vehicle
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1 × Camera slider (for smooth tracking shots)
This is a set course that runs for 28 days. Each intake starts on the 1st of the month, and departure is on the 28th.
The course is aimed at assisting in the development of aspiring wildlife film-makers. Students on the course will spend a month designing, writing, filming and editing their own five-minute wildlife documentary situated on one of Africa’s most beautiful and well-stocked game reserves. At the end of the course, students will present their film to students and staff and walk away with a showpiece that can be used to help break into the demanding wildlife filmmaking industry.
You are the exclusive owner of all video and photographic media that you collect during this course. I do reserve the right to utilise media for course marketing purposes only.
If you are getting ready to pack, here is a rough packing list of items you should consider bringing.
Clothing
- Work clothes. Bring what you are comfortable in, but ensure that you have warm, strong work clothing of neutral colours, solid work shoes such as hiking boots or trainers, a good sun hat with a wide brim and a warm hat/beanie. Gloves can be helpful for early mornings. Bring a tracksuit or something similar to lounge around in during the evenings, which can get cold. Also, face buffs help keep off the cold in the evenings.
- Social clothes. Mossel Bay is a small town, so social clothing should reflect a casual, non-formal style.
- A swimming costume.
Video and electronic gear
You are more than welcome to bring any personal videography or photographic equipment, however, this is totally optional.
Miscellaneous
- Covid negative test results
- Toiletries & strong sunscreen (there are also plenty of shops to purchase from).
- Prescription medication.
- Passport & photocopy of passport.
- Bank cards (inform your bank of your travels).
- Spare cash.
- Phone & cables.
- Accommodation address – 182 Aalwyn Way, Aalwyndal, Mossel Bay.
When you are accepted into this course, you will have to sign liability, copyright documents, as well as an agreement that you are knowingly partaking in potentially dangerous activities. You will not be covered for accidents, breakages, theft or illnesses, so please do organise your own medical and travel insurance. The chances that you will be injured are very slim if you follow the safety guidelines and do not try anything foolish that we would not approve of. However, you will be working in an authentic wildlife reserve, which can result in accidents. So it is important to be covered in case of an emergency or accident. Be sure to have insurance coverage for your entire stay in South Africa.
The course starts and ends at Mossel Bay, South Africa. Participants must travel to either George airport or the Mossel Bay bus depot. Shuttles from these locations will transport you to Searle’s Manor in Mossel Bay.
When you arrive—either at George Airport or the Mossel Bay bus terminal, one of my team will be there to personally meet you and make sure your journey to the Wildlife Filmmaking base is smooth and welcoming. Before you depart for South Africa, we will confirm your travel details and coordinate your pickup time (on the 1st). We’ll also set up a WhatsApp group so you can stay in touch during your travels, get help if anything changes en route, and ask any last-minute questions.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be part of the team—and we’ll get you settled in and ready to start your adventure.
A lot of students enjoy extra trips and tourism activities when time permits. We recommend you have around USD1000 extra per month if you wish to go on these. Please note you do not have to go on ANY of these extra trips. This is simply for your information, should you wish to.
South Africa is far from Malaria areas, and there are no strange African diseases which you could pick up (that is if you respect the same safety rules as anywhere else in the world).
Please ensure that you bring any medication required. If you will require medication whist in South Africa, please contact us to ensure that it is available.