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

For 2009, one of our many objectives at Oceans Below is to increase the number of people who hear about our underwater videography courses. The first part of our campaign is to collect detailed information from our past videographer trainees, finding out what they really thought about our underwater videography course.

In this first email interview, we quiz Ellie D'Silva on her time as an underwater videographer in Koh Tao. Prior to visting Oceans Below, Ellie was studying at university. Here's her feedback:

1. What University course were you studying:

BA (Hons) Television Production

2. What year had you finished before your summer with Oceans Below Koh Tao?

Before I spent my summer in Koh Tao working with Oceans Below, I had just finished my second year at University. As part of my degree as with many other courses, I had to do an industry work placement for six weeks. Oceans below advertised on my University's website and I got in contact straight away. For me it was the perfect match mixing high quality film production with SCUBA diving!

3. How does the content of the Oceans Below videography training compare with what you learn at University?

The learning style at Oceans Below is accessible, quick and effective. By incorporating the training with an internship it meant my skills increased rapidly over a matter of weeks through practice. There is enough academic content to help you to understand the science behind what you are doing, but not too much that in confuses you. Never be afraid to ask questions, because they will always be answered for you.
Their hands-on teaching technique throws you straight in, where as University tends to ease you into it more! You are learning new and important underwater videography skills every day, from equipment care and maintenance to color correction - something I was never taught at University. By having a lot of contact time in your training period, you are able to build up a lot more confidence for when you finally get out there filming for customers!
Learning this way means you feel like you are achieving more in a shorter space of time, which in essence, you are! I made more films over the summer than I had in two years at University.

The equipment is all well-maintained by the company and then by yourself as you become a fully fledged videographer! Everyone has a lot of respect for the equipment and as a result the equipment is all in very good condition, as well as increasing in spec as the company expands. I look forward to filming in HD on the new cameras they have!
In terms of difficulty level, there is obviously the issue that you are underwater. I was rescue diver with only 30 or so dives under my belt when I started my training at Oceans Below, and by the time I'd finished my summer in Thailand I had well over 150. Practice makes perfect as you practice your buoyancy and balance with the camera, and hone your air consumption skills! As someone who was never amazingly comfortable with a camera on land, I found it easier filming underwater. But, as with anything, practice makes perfect!
One big way that Oceans Below triumphs over my University studies, is the internship. Getting out there and making films for your customer, not just for yourself. Working on your people skills as well as your film-making skills was a big bonus for me.

4. What do you plan to do after you graduate?

After I graduate, I plan to come back to Koh Tao for some more diving and videography work to increase my portfolio and dive experience. I also want to get into underwater photography.
I am also planning to start up a production company with fellow graduates from Bournemouth University making music videos, dramas and documentaries.
In a few years I plan to move back to Thailand and travel around South-East Asia working as a Divemaster and videographer. Spending the summer with Oceans Below has flared up my love for diving, and I definitely have worked this into my future plans!

5. Do you think training with Oceans Below helped your future prospects? If so how?

Working with Oceans Below has definitely increased my future prospects by adding something unusual and interesting to my CV. How many people that graduate from University can say they have already worked as a paid underwater videographer? Working under my own steam over the summer has also increased my determination to start up my own company.

6. Did you show any of your underwater video footage to people back at home - colleagues, lecturers? If so, what did they think?

I have a coveted collection of my underwater dive videos, both fun ones made for my friends as well as my favorite customer videos. I show these to anyone that has the time to sit for long enough! A lot of people were jealous, but more than anything they were amazed with the quality of footage. What was worse is that I knew I could do better! It has definitely encouraged friends of mine to look into doing the Oceans Below internship this summer coming.

7. What would you say to someone thinking about taking an underwater videography course with Oceans Below?

To anyone thinking of taking a video course with Oceans Below, I would say do it, 150%. It is an investment in your education and an irreplaceable and priceless memory. I made some of my best friends and had some of my best moments through this internship, and am looking forward to going back to Koh Tao this summer to dive back into it all.