by Mel Noonan, StylusMC
Many Steadicam operators have made their career decision during or after attending a Tiffen Steadicam workshop. The courses are friendly, intense and very highly regarded by the Steadicam community. There are Bronze, Silver and Gold, rising in intensity, coverage and length.
I attended the Silver workshop held in April at the delightful Bull Hotel at Gerards Gross in Buckinghamshire to take photographs and ask some of the attendees about their careers and the course experience. We didn’t know at the time, but it turned out to be Robin Thwaites’ last stint as Tutor before he retired. He has been there at the start of so many Steadicam careers, and is now taking a well earned rest.
Marcin Maternik
I’m Marcin Maternik, a final-year Television student at Edinburgh Napier University. I have over 10 years of practical experience working on film and TV sets, mainly as a DoP, camera operator, and lighting technician. I’m now looking to move more seriously into Steadicam work.
This was my first proper time operating a Steadicam. Before that, I had experience with gimbals and handheld work, but Steadicam is obviously a completely different discipline. The workshop really showed me the difference in technique and control.
I signed up because I want to specialise in camera movement, especially Steadicam. It’s something I’ve been interested in for a long time, and I wanted proper training to understand the fundamentals and workflow.
I thought the workshop was great. The biggest highlights for me were hands-on operating time, learning correct posture and walking technique, and understanding how small adjustments affect the shot. Also, getting direct feedback while operating was very valuable.
The latest Steadicam Volt™ 3 system is very interesting. It definitely adds precision and control, especially for maintaining level horizons. I think it’s something I would consider in the future, but I’d first want to build a strong foundation operating without it.
The workshop was very well run and confirmed my interest in pursuing Steadicam as a career. It also made me realise how much practice and discipline it requires, which I actually enjoy. It feels like a very natural direction for me as a DoP. I’m planning to buy a Steadicam Zephyr and honestly can’t wait to start practicing and developing my skills further.
Ege Erkol
I’m Ege Erkol, a camera operator working in sports broadcasting since 2021. It was my first time operating Steadicam.
I’ve worked in the industry for just over 5 years, which has been incredible, I am motivated to improve and further specialise. I see Steadicam as a highly skilled, future-proof discipline that offers a much higher technical and creative ceiling than standard operating. It is a calculated long-term career investment for me. I’ve been in contact with many Steadicam operators from the football industry and this course was suggested by a few of them.
I genuinely enjoyed my time in this workshop. The curriculum was very comprehensive, perfectly paced across the three days, and gave me a very clear idea of how this would be as a possible career.
I enjoyed the exercises done with the small groups of 4, and I’m also thankful I had the opportunity to spend time with the rig on my own. The balance between theory and practical time was excellent. The workshop confirmed my motivation to make a roadmap for this career. I would absolutelyrecommend the workshops.
Leonardo J. Chamizo
I’m a Camera operator moving into Steadicam. I already own an Archer sled, I’ve had a 1 on 1 training session with an operator and I have done some small shots with Steadicam. I signed up because I want to improve my skills and knowledge.
The workshop is truly worthy, all of it, from the theory to the practice and especially the shot test. The Volt 3 is amazing, definitely on my wishlist to buy in the future.
The experience gave me a feeling of confirmation that I’m on the right track for a Steadican career. I definitely recommend the workshop to anyone that wants to try Steadicam from a serious perspective and also to operators like me that want to step up in their career and add Steadicam to their skillset.
Nathan Gardner
I’m Nathan Gardner, self employed Cinematographer. I signed up to get hands-on experience from industry professionals. To understand how to safely operate Steadicam and how I can use it in my craft.
The workshop was hands on, well structured and paced well, with very little to no sitting around. We were thrown straight in, which was amazing. The highlights for me were the set up shots. These clearly helped me see how you can use Steadicam on set, extending my shot vocabulary.
The Volt 3 is an amazing tool, it enhances the product whilst maintaining the integrity of the Steadicam. The ability to dial in fine-tuned settings is a game changer, and unlike any gimbal I have ever used.
The workshop has connected a career in Steadicam operation, and even included a conversation about professional development and best ways to move into the industry.
I am interested in purchasing a rig. Taking this step will include building connections and building a network for work to fund the cost.
The workshop format, setup, instructors, communication, location were all outstanding! Would I recommend the workshop? I already have!
I’m hopefully going to sign onto the Gold course in the future.
Max Friswell
I’m Max Friswell, 1st AC. This was my first time operating Steadicam.
I signed up because I wanted to see if it was something that I would be interested in for my future career. I loved the course. The physical demand was hard at first but every day it got easier. The highlight was piecing together an entire shot with multiple moves and actors.
Regarding the Volt 3, we only got to try this out on day 2 so I am still a newbie to it. After speaking with many operators it definitely feels like the way forward. The workshop has 100% confirmed my thoughts about a Steadicam career. I just need to get a rig and practice more!
I would have liked one more day. I felt that the third day it all finally clicked. But I guess the Gold workshop is for that. I’d definitely recommend the workshop. In fact I was recommended it by friends so I will continue that.
Blair Gibson
I’m Blair Gibson, an outside broadcast camera operator. I already have a Steadicam Zephyr I bought in August 2025.
I signed up because I wanted to refine my skills, attain new knowledge and insight unobtainable by self-teaching, achieve new skills and experience high end Steadicam equipment outside my current financial situation.
I wanted to cement my experience as a reliable Steadicam operator by acquiring certification that assures anyone that I am professional trained and assessed. Additionally, I wished to utilise my skills, both current and attained on course, within the mock scenarios set up and to receive face-to-face feedback and advice impossible to acquire by myself.
I am convinced the Steadicam workshop is absolutely essential to anyone serious about becoming a Steadicam Operator. The knowledge, skills and insight obtained from this workshop is measureless and will be utilised for the rest of my career.
Highlights were learning low mode, the exercises (especially the stair and square exercises) and the scenarios on the final day.
The Volt 3 is a game changer for sure. It is still absolutely necessary for any Steadicam operator to learn how to control a rig as analogue as possible. Having achieved that they will truly enjoy the full benefits of the Volt system, as it was in my case having practiced abundantly on my own Zephyr prior to attending the workshop.
This workshop has confirmed I want to pursue Steadicam as a career. How long it will take until I can really purely on Steadicam work, it is yet to confirm. However, I have always wanted to produce the best a camera can offer within any field of work, be it outside broadcast, high end television or film. The Steadicam, despite the rise of gimbals, is still an option that can obtain outstanding technical and creative achievements and the introduction of the Volt will carry this on for years to come.
Simon Buckton
I am Simon Buckton, freelance lighting and OB camera op. This was my first time using Steadicam, lots of experience with gimbals. I signed up to check whether Steadicam was for me, to have another skill in my locker.
The workshop was great, highlights were getting to know new people in the industry, and using the Steadicam on blocked out, film style shots.
If I bought a rig, I would certainly buy a Volt with it. It’s a great bit of kit, and I would have liked some more time with it to work out how to use it better.
At the stage I’m at, I’m still unsure if will pursue a Steadicam career,but I may revisit that in a year or so. I would definitely recommend the workshops.
Yash Katkar
I’m Yash Katkar, currently a Cinematography student at London Film School. it was my first time operating a Steadicam. I have previously only worked and operated on gimbals.
I took the course because over the past two years of camera operating, I found myself becoming more and more sure of pursuing Steadicam full-time in my career. And of course, my love for all the long opener shots inMartin Scorsese’s films. The workshop felt like a perfect 3 daypackage to get into the world of Steadicam. The tutors Danny and Robin were like an open book for any questions I had.
Same goes for Kit and Pierce from CVP. My highlight was definitely coming up with a scene with all the folks to operate the Steadicam on hahaha.
Regarding the Volt 3, I think it would be crazy to buy a sled without one. Everybody sees the final product at the end of the day, and it’s not about being a Steadicam purist or anything for me. It’s a must-have.
In a way, the workshop was my trial run for two things: whether I want to become a Steadicam operator, and, if so,whether I want to purchase my own rig. It has helped confirm both for me. I hope to purchase a rig this summer.
KIT BESSANT
Pierce, who also attended, and myself are both CVP Technical Consultants, who have previously assisted Danny Hallett with his Bronze workshops which have been traditionally run at CVP Fitzrovia, our home office. At CVP, I demonstrate the latest camera systems, advise clients on bespoke technical solutions, and rigs, specs, and troubleshoot professional equipment setups. My specialisation spans stabilisation systems, including Steadicam, the DJI Ronin 4D and ARRI Trinity.
We were invited to the Silver workshop to become qualified to run our own Bronze Workshops on behalf of Tiffen in the future, and learn the ins and outs of training techniques and instructing.
I actually did the Silver workshop as an attendee back in 2023, and bought a rig as a result, so it was a nice full circle moment to come back and assist Danny with the training and learn from an Instructor perspective.
I really enjoyed blocking scenes with the attendees and it’s always rewarding to see how quickly operators improve at line dances, switching, etc across the three days.
We’re looking forward to continuing to run the Bronze workshops at CVP this year, and hopefully do a launch event for the new Tiffen Steadicam Elite system too.
Certificates presentation at the end of the course: Simon Buckton receives his from tutors
Robin Thwaites
Danny Hallett
