“I spent a fair amount of time trying to find a Pro Underwater Videography course that i felt would be worth the time and money. What you typically find out there are people who are self taught, semi-professionals who do both still and video, often associated with a resort or with a liveaboard, who will give you some advice and tips. But I wanted a real course, with lessons, teaching materials and one on one coaching. Liquid Motion offers just that.
You are learning from a real pro Underwater Filmmaker, Videographer, Cinematographer, Photographer and Artist who has spent his entire career making films underwater. It’s an actual A-list course with extremely well thought out lessons and materials. Then, they certainly don’t leave you on your own to dive and shoot and just give you pointers like most places. Instead, Guy is working with you one on one, on top and below water, giving you constant coaching and correcting your (or at least my!) many mistakes as you learn and grow your skills.
Your experience starts when you first contact them where they will help you find appropriate accommodations and help with your travel logistics. Before you get there, you start with Guy on your learning journey, doing zoom classes covering both the basics of Underwater Videography (exposure, composition, equipment, etc) as well as more advanced concepts like camera movements, shooting with transitions in mind, continuity and anticipating fish behavior (Guy even has a wealth of knowledge of fish behavior).
On site, you do two dives in the AM with Guy always by your side, coaching and teaching you along the way. Then it’s back to your condo for lunch and getting your files ready for Guy’s review.
Guy would come to the condo so it was so, so easy for me. We would spend 2-3 hours going over that day’s footage and critiquing exposure, composition, camera movement, alternative ways i could have gotten the shot. These sessions were invaluable, as you can see immediately what is and is not working for you and understand how you could have done it better. On three days we skipped diving and just focused on editing and assembling clips into a coherent story. In these sessions you learn the art of filmmaking from a real pro. It was truly fantastic.
In 10 days I went from a raw but enthusiastic hobby-ist to a fairly competent underwater videographer, shooting really pro underwater cinematography. I learned so, so much and made so much improvement – way beyond all my expectations.
Guy is a great teacher and a fun guy to hang around with and dive together. I am already planning my trip back to Cozumel to do some more diving and 1:1 coaching with Guy to take my game up to an even higher level. Thank you!!”.
By Jason Jeffey
