Lucjan Karpinski - Originally,
I had had different plans for the summer but as they came
crashing down around me I found myself searching the internet
for new inspiration when I came across a website offering
a combined rescue diving and videographer course and I caught
myself wondering, slightly nervously, (possibly like you are
now!) should I? Well I can tell you now that just deciding
to go for it, to leave everything behind and go somewhere
amazing and do something amazing was the best decision I have
ever made, I can honestly say that I had the best time of
my life. In fact, I enjoyed myself so much that I ended up
extending my flight and staying even longer!
Firstly the diving there is spectacular; especially the shark
diving! Then you also get to do it with state of the art equipment
then turn your footage into films in a hi-tech editing suite,
fantastic! Also, I found that the team at deep-down productions
were able to blend perfectly a high level of instruction and
professionalism with a fun and laid back atmosphere- allowing
you to work at your own pace, and now, as a result of the
training I have received, I feel totally competent using a
camera underwater. But it’s so much more than just the
training; the people you’ll meet are friends for life
and the experiences are something you will talk about forever!
Overall I just think it’s great value for money, thanks
guys for an amazing time!
Hol ly Sharrock - Last summer,
i decided i wanted to have a go at something different. I
had been diving in England a few times and had handled a video
camera all of two times, so attempting a videography course
seemed an exciting and new experience, and that it was! The
course was not only fun but highly informative. In just six
weeks i learnt practical elements of using a video camera
and using the editing
programs. Within just three days we had begun to edit our
own footage into short films.
I found the course covered so much ground but always moved
at a fast pace, introducing you to new skills daily. The course
particularly helped me with buoyancy control and gave me much
more confidence while diving. Most importantly to me i began
to be able to spot things i previously would have swam past.
The videography course opened up a new side of diving to me,
while being highly enjoyable and satisfying. The staff at
deep down productions are highly professional and were always
there to help every step of the way, from the first dive to
the final film. Not only is the course intriguing and fun
but you also get the practical results, i returned from thailand
with a log book full of dives and most over 15 hours of footage.
I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to try something
a bit different and have a lot of fun doing it!
Kate Cooper - I stopped in
Koh Tao on my way to Bali and had originally planned to stay
for a couple of weeks. After meeting Jon and his team on the
dive boat I decided to take the Underwater Videography course
and prolong my stay, tempted by the one-on-one instructed
dives.
I had the most amazing time learning filming and editing techniques,improving
my diving skills and buoyancy and becoming even more aware
of diving safely and responsibly as this is greatly stressed
on t he course. So after a month and with their great instruction
and encouragement I emerged with a whole new career possibility,
some great friends and the added bonus of wearing a bikini
and board shorts to work!
Tim Band - I came to Koh Tao
with the intention of spending a month improving my diving
by doing a Dive Master course at Crystal Dive but like many
before me I found the island a difficult place to leave. I’ve
always had a interest in film-making and I was really impressed
by the Open Water videos that Jon and the Deep Down team show
each evening in the bar at the dive centre. I was amazed that
such good quality films could be filmed, edited and made ready
for
viewing in only a day. After speaking to some of the students
on the course, who all gave glowing recommendations, and a
chat with Jon I was convinced to sign up for the course. I
had a fantastic time doing the course, believe me it’s
an incredibly fun way to spend a few weeks. The fast pace
at which you can learn everything from preparing the camera
and housing for diving to digitising, editing and adding a
soundtrack owes and lot to the one on one tutoring and in
depth knowledge of Jon and the guys. Within 3 days I’d
produced my first film! Everyone at Deep Down always had the
time to answer any questions or queries. The friendly and
supportive environment at Deep Down counted for a lot especially
the first time one of my films got shown on the big screen
at the bar in front of a ‘live’ audience. It’s
quite a nerve-racking experience but the satisfaction you
get when you ‘nail it’ is unbeatable!
Laetitia Warny - "During
five weeks, I have been living with my favorite element: the
water. During the two last weeks, I have been praticing underwater
video, which is part of what I would like to do in the future:
scientific journalist. I had a great experience !!! Filming
underwater is such exciting, I never thought there was so
much to see in the sea. By filming you see the submarine life
another way that what people normally do. I felt closer to
this life and diving becomes completely different. It also
helped me to become more confident. And, of course, Koh Tao
is certainly one of the best sites to do t his ! I hope to
come, maybe next year, to go on with it and improve myself.
We don't become a videographer after two weeks, it's something
you reach at each dive you do. Each dive brings you more.
Thank you for everything. The DDP-team is a champion team,
they are wonderful and very kind ! See you !! "
Matthew Fennell - I’m
a MSDT and Videographer. I became a Videographer with the
DDP team in Koh Toa Thailand.
The training I received was superb with Jon and the team always
on hand to answer any questions. I picked up a lot of skills
and information from the training. The structure of the course
its self is really good. Split up in to filming and editing
as well as selling your final DVDs to the customers in this
case dive students. It really gives you a feel to all aspects
of the industry. I’m now a free lance Videographer which
has given me the potential to go any where I want to and film
it as well. From the knowledge I received from the deep down
course I am starting my own filming business.
You learn a great amount from this training. The best bit
about it after your hard work you get to see a final product
which you’ve created your self. I plan to return to
Thailand to do some more filming in the near future. When
you first take the camera underwater its feels a little strange
and after while you couldn’t imagine not having one.
Filming with DDP gave the opportunity to film allsorts from
turtles and sting rays to sharks and Anemone fish. I’ve
just got back from doing a season filming in Spain which has
continued my career in professional Videography. I am now
waiting on the next move. Ready to pick up my camera and go.
I thoroughly recommend this course to any one in to diving
and has a bit of creativity. Your helped every step of the
way and you always have the rest of the team for support.
It was a fantastic experience for me it will be for you to.
Ed Wellman - I went to Koh
Tao having never dived before, and went from open water diver
to advanced, rescue and finally videographer in about a month.
The diving around the island is spectacular, and now I would
like to see all the great dive sites around the world. It's
very cheap to learn to dive on Koh Tao, so it's a great place
to get started. The team of videographers I worked with at
deep down productions were professional and fun to be around.
We went out diving most mornings and I got to work at my own
pace in the editing suite when we got back. It culminated
in having my video shown on the big screen at the dive bar
one evening. It was a simple video showing off all the sharks,
turtles, snakes, sting rays, eels and fish I'd seen. I've
left with a new enthusiasm for videography and film in general
(and of course diving). It was a great experience and I highly
recommend it!
Thanks! Ed
MSDT
Angie Kerridge - I did my MSDT
( Master Scuba Diver Trainer ) with deep down Productions
early in 2006 as videography is one of my specialties. I was
really impressed with the scope of knowledge the team has
and what they passed onto me. I learnt lots about shooting
techniques for getting the best shot underwater, different
camera & housing systems and different editing techniques.
The whole team are very professional, supportive and great
to have a beer with at the end of the day when we watch the
final product on the big screen.
To anyone interested in doing a course in underwater
videography I would highly recommend "Deep Down"
as a first choice for training.
