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VIDEOGRAPHY UNDERWATER

Underwater Videography Internship

In the Underwater Videography training program, you will acquire the knowledge and practical skills required to master the art of underwater videography while exploring the incredible diversity of the stunning coral reefs of the warm Indian Ocean. The Underwater videography program uses dSLR cameras in Sea&Sea housings; Panasonic video cameras and GoPros together with exceptional LED lighting and accessories.

 

Apart from learning solid skills, you will also focus on becoming part of the marine world; using specialised breathing techniques and capitalising on the natural curiosity of the marine inhabitants. Fiona’s team will teach you how to capture the perfectly structured and composed film.

 

Pre-requisites 

The programs involves extensive SCUBA based videography dives. To participate in these dives, participants must be a minimum of open-water SCUBA certified. We require that non-certified participants gain certification prior to the start of the program during either a 1 or 2 week intensive SCUBA diving training course. 

  • Oceanic Blacktip Shark

    Oceanic Blacktip Shark

  • Tiger Sharks

    Tiger Sharks

  • Potato Bass

    Potato Bass

  • Nudibranchs

    Nudibranchs

  • Humpback Whales

    Humpback Whales

  • Bottlenose dolphins

    Bottlenose dolphins

  • Turtles

    Turtles

  • Mantis Shrimp

    Mantis Shrimp

  • Sandtiger Shark

    Sandtiger Shark

Louis Pieterse

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

An established food and portrait photographer, Louis runs the daily operations and management of Africa Media whilst using his photographic skills to instruct both wildlife and underwater photography programs when required. He can be found pulling the team together and keeping everyone happy, even if we’re having a bad day. Everyone loves Louis!

Chris Saunders

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

An up-and-coming director of photography for wildlife and marine documentaries, Chris offers a wealth of experience to participants in our underwater and wildlife videography programs. Having trained as a commercial DOP, Chris is now fully invested in documenting Africa’s wildlife both above and below the waves. With his quiet and unassuming manner, Chris is a favourite amongst our students.

Our underwater photographic training internship is based at Scottburgh, South Africa – a small coastal village directly opposite the world-famous Aliwal Shoal. Participants stay at our purpose-built training centre – The Shark House. Here participants can enjoy the seaside training rooms, gear rooms and comfortable living quarters. The Shark House is located at 34 Egerton Road, Freeland Park, Scottburgh.

Internship price

from

$3900/mo
  • Internship training
  • SCUBA equipment
  • Camera equipment
  • 18 x SCUBA dive package
  • Accommodation
  • Catered meals
  • Local Transport

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What are the benefits?

The underwater videography program is aimed at assisting in the development of students who are interested in advancing their underwater videography skills to a professional level, whilst enjoying some of the most incredible SCUBA diving that Africa has to offer. Participants will be able to walk away with a professional-level video portfolio that will showcase their ability to film the marine world.

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Am I eligible?

The course is open to all qualified SCUBA divers and those wanting to learn. For non-qualified divers, you must gain a minimum open-water dive qualification prior to arrival. Alternatively, you can arrive on the program two weeks prior to gain qualification and practice in SCUBA diving.

What is included?

Cost includes: 16 dive package (consists of: reef dive, snorkels, aquarium, estuary dives, 3 ocean safaris and 1 estuary trip in Moz) All videography equipment including cameras, housings and lights Practical and theoretical training instruction in underwater videography Meals Dorm or single ($500 supplement) accommodation Airport transfers Hard and soft SCUBA equipment SCUBA airfills Costs exclude: Recreational weekend SCUBA diving PADI Open water qualification course Internet fees Laundry service Non-course excursions Extra food and beverages and alcoholic beverages Nitrox Staff tips Early arrival and late departure fees ($40/day)

What is our daily schedule?

As a student and guest, your daily routine will vary between diving and photographing or videographing, being tutored in photography and video techniques and free diving, and processing and editing your photographs. Fiona and her handpicked team are passionate about conservation and any projects that are available to work on practically, we will certainly be doing so.

How long is internship?

The program runs for a month in duration (from the 1st to the 28th), with catering and accommodation offered during the dates of the course advertised. If you would like to arrive early or depart late, then you will be charged R500/day to cover your food and accommodation. All participants must be SCUBA qualified (minimum open water certification) prior to the start of the program.

Do I need a SCUBA certification?

This program requires that you are SCUBA qualified and have some experience SCUBA diving. If you are not yet qualified, you can join the program and arrive 2 weeks prior to the beginning to get qualified and participate in 10 recreational dives for experience. This additional training, board and accommodation costs $1600. If unable to attend for two additional weeks, we can consider a 1-week training package for $1000 that includes PADI Open Water, 5 recreational dives, meals and accommodation.

Where do I fly to?

Scottburgh – South Africa Arrange flights in and out of King Shaka Airport – Durban

Will I be met at airports?

Pick-ups from the airport will be organised for the 1st day of the month and drop-offs on the 28th of the month. Participants arriving or leaving outside this time will be asked to contribute an additional R500 per trip for the airport transfer.

Can I do additional recreational dives?

Yes, weekend dives can be organised at your own cost.

What equipment will I have access to?

All videography and scuba equipment is supplied during the course. This includes: 6 x Underwater video kits consisting of: 1 x Panasonic HVX200 with gates housing 2 x Nikon D70 with Ikilite housings 1 x Canon 5D mk 2 with Sea & Sea housing 1 x Sony RX100 with Gates housing 1 x Sony HDR-CX190 with Marlin Marine housing 6 x sets of underwater torches – orca torch 3000 – 5000 Lum Full scuba kits including a full range of standard wetsuit sizes Computers: Please bring your own laptop with a minimum of 4gb RAM. It must be pre-loaded with Adobe Premiere Pro OR, if you don’t want to buy that, then any other video professional level editing software that you usually use and know.

Must I bring my own video camera?

In terms of underwater video gear, soft diving gear, and underwater housings, participants can bring their own gear if desired. A minimum standard of video gear required is a DSLR, quality mirrorless system or video camera with two underwater lights. All dive gear and photographic gear is supplied.

Who own video media I collect?

All media (photographs, video etc.) collected by participants during a program will belong exclusively to the author thereof, i.e. you. All media collected can be used for portfolio and marketing purposes by Africa Media.

Do I need a Visa?

Most nationalities gain a free three month visitors VISA on arrival to South Africa. However a few nationalities (e.g. India, China) require that VISA’s are pre-arranged prior to arrival in South Africa. Please check with the nearest South African embassy on the status for your nationality. If you have further questions then mail us on support@africa-media.org

Do I need insurance?

Yes. When you are accepted into this program, you agree to our liability, copyright documents, as well an agreement that you are knowingly partaking in potentially dangerous activities. You will not be covered for accidents or illnesses, so please do organize your own medical and health insurances. You may apply for a normal travel insurance policy. Chances that you will be injured by a marine predator are very slim if you follow the safety guidelines, and do not try anything foolish of which we would not approve. However, you will be working on a boat in conditions which can, on occasions, be less than comfortable. Accidents may occur, so it is important to be covered in case of an emergency or accident. Be sure to have an insurance cover for your entire stay in southern Africa. SCUBA divers, also need to be insured by the Divers Alert Network (DAN)

What must I bring?

Packing list Clothing Beach and lounging – Bring what you are comfortable in, but ensure that you have at least one warm tracksuit type outfit, a good sun hat with a wide brim and a warm hat/beanie. Gloves can be helpful for early mornings. The tracksuit or similar is for lounging around in during the evenings, which will get colder than the day. Please bring a beach towel and a minimum of one bath towel, but preferably two. Please bring one towel to work with your camera on. Social clothes – Scottburgh is a small town so social clothing should reflect a casual non-formal style. A swimming costume or two. Your own wetsuit and mask is always more comfortable and could be more hygienic, but not a necessity as gear hire is incl. in the course price Electronic gear Minimum of 1TB storage hard drive. Laptop. your own camera if you want to do any land based photos. We often have fun with star trails and the moon and some students like to photograph at the game reserves in the area a GoPro if you have one ( not necessary to buy but bring if you have ) You are actually welcome to bring any personal videography or photographic equipment, however, this is totally optional as all underwater equipment that you will need is supplied. Editing programs Adobe Premiere Pro. Adobe Lightroom CC ( classic ) Miscellaneous 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. Sunglasses. Blue Wilderness address – 34 Egerton Road, Freeland Park, South Africa.

Must I bring extra money?

The info provided in the costs section should give you a good foundation from which to work this out. It is probable that you may wish to do a weekend trip or two, and many activities are available on such trips including diving with sharks for example. We recommend you have around $100 extra per weekend trip you wish to go on. Please note you do not have to go on ANY of these extra trips. This is simply for your information should you wish to. Please do not bring dollars to spend if possible, rather exchange and bring Rands. Please bring $100 for tips. We do not insist that you tip but if you are happy with the service our partners have given you then it is customary to tip the staff. At the end of each month your course director will take a ‘tip’ payment from each participant and this will be pooled and divided fairly between the staff- who we promise will be looking after you very well!

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Documenting the underwater world through underwater video is a powerful means to educate, entertain and conserve the worlds oceans.

Like what you see? Connect with my team to learn how to join this internship program