2 week videography training and internship

Train to become a BSAC Professional HD Underwater Videographer on Koh Tao, Thailand

Underwater videography course Thailand

2 Week BSAC Pro HD Underwater Video Training

Become an underwater videographer in one of Asia's top dive destinations! While you are living on the beautiful island of Koh Tao, you will be trained to capture the stunning underwater world. Oceans Below will provide you with all of the skills and equipment needed to produce professional HD underwater videos. Your training will include the use of high-quality HD video cameras, Gates and Aquatica Underwater Housings, and Adobe software. Join our highly experienced team of professionals for the 2-week BSAC Pro HD Underwater Video Training program.

You must be a certified PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent) with 50+ logged dives It is possible to add on the scuba training courses before the start of the Pro HD Underwater Videographer Training if you have no prior dive experience. Oceans Below can organize your dive training and accommodation through Koh Tao’s Premiere 5-Star IDC Center.

2 week video training

Get hands-on experience in the making of top-quality underwater movies. Learn to shoot everything from the biggest fish in the world, to the smallest shrimp, using full manual camera controls for that perfect image(white balance, focus, exposure, lighting, and zoom) edit your movies on Adobe Premiere Pro.

Instructor and student with the HD cameras

Available Dates

The Pro HD Underwater videographer Training Course is available year-round. We only take 2 people per course to ensure that each trainee gets lots of personalized attention throughout the course. We begin a course at the start and at the middle of each month. These courses usually are booked at least a few months in advance, so make sure you check in with us prior to traveling to check the availability.

The best time of year for a chance to see Whalesharks is close to the monsoon period, so April/May and September/October/November are the best months. However, they can turn up anytime. May to February are the best months to get close encounters with the Bull Sharks. April, May and June are the easiest months to spot Green and Hawksbill turtles. Throughout the year you’ll see Moray Eels, Stingrays, Scorpion Fish, Octopus, Sea Snakes, Boxfish, Jacks, Groupers, etc...

Health Requirements for underwater videographers

If you are looking to participate in this program you need to ensure that you are reasonably fit and free from any conditions that may prevent from or be a danger to you while diving. Before coming to Thailand, it is best to consult your doctor and get a signed Medical Statement.

Underwater videographer training Thailand

2 Week Underwater Video Internship (only available after the 2 week BSAC Pro course)

Once you have completed your training, you will have the option to follow one, or both of the following:

-learning to produce souvenir videos for divers. Film and edit a movie to music telling the story of the diver's day trip. By the end of this internship you'll have gained all the skills and knowledge to be successfully employed in the field.

-continued Education and skill development. Quite simply, diving and filming to produce your own short documentary. Diving away from the main student dive sites and so avoiding the crowds, spending 45 minutes filming a seahorse to get that perfect shot. Or head out to the dive sites that the big student boats can't reach, Sam Ran pinnacle, Sail Rock, Hot spots to shoot the big stuff.For this course we will be using the Goodtime Adventures speedboat so we have no time restrictions and can get to any dive site in a matter of minutes.

Goodtime Adventures speedboat

You must be a certified BSAC Sports diver or PADI Rescue Diver (or equivalent) with 50+ logged dives. Being a competent scuba diver is critical as you will be filming PADI Instructors with students in training and you will be expected to look after yourself underwater. It is possible to add on the BSAC Dive Leader or PADI Divemaster Training Course or even the BSAC Open Water Instructor Course or PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) before or after the Underwater Videographer Internship.

Available Dates

The Video Internship is available year-round. You may begin any time after your 2-week Video Training Course. The length of the internship is 2 weeks. Oceans Below will give you as many opportunities as possible to gain experience.

Koh Tao Pro Video Intern Films Whalesahark at Chumpon Pinnacle!

Written by autumn

Sunday, 09 October 2011 17:56

Barracuda Rock, at the south end of Chumphon Pinnacle, has always held a special place in the hearts of everyone at Oceans Below, and I'm no exception. On entering the water and descending, I inevitably find myself heading south with a feeling of anticipation. Every time I cross the sand and see the huge pinnacle appearing out of the blue, I am amazed at the hive of activity and inspired by the thought of the numerous great shots that can be captured there. The vast amount of fish species has always made it a phenomenal place to take our BSAC Professional Underwater Videography trainees.

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Whaleshark filmed by Eliza- Pro Underwater Video Trainee

A few days ago was no different. Whilst out on the Buddha View boat with Eliza, our latest budding Professional Underwater Videographer at Oceans Below, we were excited by the news of a whaleshark sighting. We entered the water only to find out from other divers that the majestic giant had disappeared into the blue. I decided we should head south in order for Eliza to get some good shots and resigned myself to the fact we had missed out. Upon arriving at Barracuda Rock we found it almost deserted of divers and Eliza settled in. She got some great footage of a group of Pickhandle Barracuda that was, unusually, hunting by day. A few moments later I happened to look up. Soaring towards us over the pinnacle was the elusive whaleshark! We spent 20 minutes cruising alongside the beautiful beast as it glided effortlessly around the pinnacle before it eventually went on its way.

PRO-UNDERWATER-WHALESHESHARK-TRAINEE-INTERNSHIP

On the second dive we headed back to Barracuda Rock and came across a huge Malabar grouper hanging motionlessly in the current. It seemed unperturbed by our approach and let us get some stunning close-ups. The backdrop of barracuda cruising past the 1.5 meter fish gave the shots a dramatic effect. Eliza was ecstatic at capturing these majestic beasts on film and a good day was had by instructor and student alike.

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Malabar Grouper at Chumpon Pinnacle

Oceans Below is sad to see a valued member of staff leave us. We say goodbye to our youngest recruit of just eighteen! Ben began his BSAC Underwater Videography course and Student Filming Internship with us some months back. His talent and passion for filming the underwater world was evident from day one. Upon finishing the internship, he was immediately offered a full time position at Oceans below. He has excelled in all areas and been a pleasure to have on the team. Ben will be attending university in New Zealand. We all thank him for his fantastic work and wish him luck in the future!