Gold Standard (8-day) Camera & Lighting Programme

FLAGSHIP PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR WORKING CAMERA CREW

The Gold Standard is the SCCE’s elite professional training programme — an intensive 8-day course built specifically for camera department professionals who want to master working with celluloid at a professional, industry-ready level. Designed for those already working in the industry (DOPs, Operators, 1st & 2nd ACs, Trainees, Gaffers), this programme provides rigorous, real-world, workflow-driven training across 16mm, 35mm, and large-format systems. Participants engage in high-level testing, advanced camera practices, troubleshooting, lighting setups, and complete end-to-end cinematography workflows. No experience with shooting celluloid is needed for entry onto this course, however we do expect familiarity with set practices and workflows.

Course Description

Who is it for?
DOPs, Camera Operators, Focus Pullers
1st & 2nd ACs, Camera Trainees
Gaffers & lighting practitioners
Crew preparing for professional film productions
Those ready for advanced, intensive technical learning

What you will learn
Camera Systems & Operation
Professional setup of 16mm, 35mm cameras
A guided demonstration of professional 65mm camera system
Advanced magazine handling (co-axial, displacement)
Optical viewfinder systems, ground glasses & registration
Loading drills, scratch testing & pin-registration tests
Troubleshooting camera faults under time pressure
Lighting for Celluloid

Exposure theory for film-based workflows
Rigorous light meter training
Contrast ratios, ND filtration & slow-motion exposure
Film stock behaviour in different lighting conditions
Building lighting setups for narrative scenes
Workflow Mastery

Designing & executing professional camera tests
Lab communication strategies
Stock ordering, storage & on-set chain of custody
On-set paperwork for large-scale film productions

Course Details
Dates:
17 May: Online
20-22 May: Newton Studio Labs
27-29 May: Newton Studio Labs
7 June: Online

Length: 8 days