SAE Selects Steadicam Products, Teaching Techniques for Educational Curriculum

 The Tiffen Company launched its new Steadicam Authorized Education Curriculum in conjunction with the SAE Institute, a multinational organization with more than 55 campuses around the world.

Known for its hands-on education in media and creative arts, the SAE Institute integrated specialized Steadicam curriculum into its overall course offering, providing students a structured lesson plan in the techniques of Steadicam operation coupled with hands-on experience using the latest award-winning Steadicam camera stabilization gear.

Essential for building working knowledge of de-facto industry-standard solutions, the SAE began teaching the Steadicam Authorized Education Curriculum in September 2013. 

“With our deep and longstanding commitment to the industry, it is incredibly important that Tiffen is involved in the mentoring of future filmmakers, cinematographers and creative professionals,” says Steve Tiffen, President and CEO, The Tiffen Company. “Tiffen is continually out in the field connecting with artists. We take the time to understand their creative needs and, in turn, build exceptional tools that serve them best. With the Steadicam Authorized Education Curriculum, we are incorporating that field knowledge into a lesson plan that gives students the solid fundamentals of how artists are leveraging Steadicam technology to achieve their vision and create the world’s greatest images.”

Tiffen worked closely with SAE worldwide to certify instructors on the delivery of the new authorized Steadicam curriculum. Romy Hawatt, the SAE Group’s Chief Executive Officer comments on the importance of the Tiffen relationship and the value it brings to SAE students,“This educational partnership with The Tiffen Company highlights our continued investment in the best equipment, teaching and educational facilities possible, helping our many students worldwide to achieve their ambitions for a career in the rapidly expanding creative media industries.”

Hands-on Experience Using Real-World, Industry-Leading Solutions
The authorized Steadicam Curriculum is based around the versatile Steadicam Scout HD and is taught by SAE instructors certified by The Tiffen Company. Students learn Steadicam set-up, balancing, basic exercises, operational techniques as well as making shots and pictorial content. Upon completion of the course, students will have the knowledge to set up and adjust a Steadicam rig, arm and vest, and perform static and dynamic balance; understand posture and rest positions; start-stop, panning, track shooting; learn a wide range of techniques to achieve Steadicam shots including switches. They will also have a solid understanding as to what point Steadicam is needed within the production. A Tiffen Steadicam Certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the workshop.

The course syllabus, devised by Tiffen’s Robin Thwaites, is based on three decades of Steadicam knowledge and training experience and endorsed by the Steadicam inventor and Oscar® winner, Garrett Brown.