{"id":42039,"date":"2022-05-30T14:48:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-30T14:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=42039"},"modified":"2023-07-17T08:52:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T08:52:51","slug":"so-you-wannabe-a-cameraflyer-part-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/so-you-wannabe-a-cameraflyer-part-two\/","title":{"rendered":"So You Wannabe a Cameraflyer \u2013 Part Two"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to the second article by NFTO cameraman Simon Brentford!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ali Woodhouse shooting video at Skydive Hibaldstow
Photo by Spencer Bailey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The first, So You Wannabe a Cameraflyer<\/a>, describes how to begin filming skydiving<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n


This second part is about how to specialise in your chosen area<\/strong>
 
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By now, you\u2019ve got a good handful of camera jumps and you\u2019ll be wanting to know how to make some real progress into producing decent good quality footage. This is still a world away from perfect and that\u2019s because we never stop learning; but getting some structure into your cameraflying is going to help you get invitations to events, earn a crust or enable you to join a team.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tandem Camera<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with getting into Tandem Camera. For many, this is the \u201cbread and butter\u201d of earning a living in the sport. In the UK, you are required to have a minimum of 200 jumps, in France, it\u2019s lower at 100. With all that variation around the world, it may take you a while to get the pre-requisite qualifications as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin, it is recommended to do a handful of follow-outs after the tandem, this allows you to get an understanding of how the hill looks and where the drogue will extend to. It can typically take anywhere from around 25-50 jumps to gain the skills. At my dropzone, Skydive Hibaldstow,<\/a> they\u2019re looking for consistency of footage, in addition to the close-up action shot. Most dropzones set their standards pretty high, as doing so maximises the experience, reduces disappointments and inspires others to book their first forays into the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Videoing the tandem from slightly underneath makes the first-time jumper the main subject
Photo: Tandem camera over Skydive Hibaldstow, by Kris Cavill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Here\u2019s some of the key skills needed in this discipline:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Flying skills <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Presenting a steep close up \/ underneath shot. Exits are considered the hardest part of the jump with the goal being not to get too much distance with the tandem. You will be expected to learn individual exit keys from the various instructors you work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accuracy <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Some dropzones will have a high-experience level landing area where only the tandems can land. If that is the case, you will need to wait and gain the jump numbers required. But if it\u2019s an open landing area, being accurate to within 10 or 20 meters is going to help you make those back-to-back loads and capture the landing footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social skills<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At the start and end of every tandem, you will need to employ some serious Terry Wogan style interviewing skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photography<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Taking high quality shots in mixed-light conditions takes a while to get right. Most use a separate SLR camera, but some also use a GoPro in stills mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Exit timing is important as no-one wants you to get hit by the drogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editing<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The last thing to say is that many dropzones use specialist pre-built tandem editing software where you submit a sequence of 6 to 8 different sequences from throughout the jump and this is then automatically edited for you. However, many dropzones don\u2019t use this software, so you will need to learn to edit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your first camera suit should probably be a camera jacket with wings. This allows you to fly steeply so that you can look up and underneath the tandem. I can remember filming a friend with their 14-year-old daughter. They must have had a combined weight of less than 90kg. I could only just stay with them wearing a camera suit going less than 100mph! Personally, I fly TonySuit which gives me a massive range and is pretty hard-wearing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: NFTO training over Algarve, by Simon Brentford<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Formation Skydiving Teams<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you might guess, I love FS camera in all its forms \u2013 4-way, 8-way and bigway. I never get bored and I\u2019ve had the privilege of witnessing many unique and special moments in freefall. I\u2019m a part of the British 4-way team, NFTO<\/a> and have been lucky enough to win a few medals here and there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think that team life is your thing, then I\u2019d start with a Rookie or single A class 4-way. Trying to find a local 4-way team is a good way to start and even if you can\u2019t find one, there is nothing to stop you building your own. I\u2019ve done it more than once. Enter some of your regional competitions and National Championships. They are so much fun and there will be plenty of talented cameraflyers and judges willing to offer their expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a few general tips:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n