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Syllabus

The Shark Research Unit has developed a specialty syllabus consisting of direct tutorship and practical research, outreach and conservation expeditions focused on Aliwal Shoal and its resident shark species. Read more about some of the things we cover below.

Daily schedule

The outlined daily schedule only represents an approximate schedule. All activities are subject to weather conditions, the qualifications of participating students, and the availability of partner schools, 

DAY 1

Orientation – arrival and welcome. Day spent ensuring paperwork is completed, living arrangements established and a familiarity tour of the local town/area. Technical tricks are scattered throughout. Each day is full of the practical application of techniques.

DAY 2

Equipment and maintenance – Day spent learning about equipment, how to maintain it, when and where equipment is used and some of the basic settings of the equipment.

DAY 3

Introduction Shark Snorkel – First snorkel with the black tip sharks to orientate students and gain confidence in swimming and interacting with Black tip Sharks. Focus on body posture, behaviour, comfort in water.

DAY 4

Pool and rock pool videography  – Snorkel and free diving expedition to Park Rynie rockpools for use of underwater consumer level cameras to collect data. Time in pool also used to conduct cleanup operation and removal of marine debris.

DAY 5

Education preparation – Day spent learning and empowering your mind for school learner outings. Including ensuring all skills in practical and lecture syllabus are up to speed to onsite teachings.

DAY 6

Freediving training

DAY 7

Shark Research Snorkel – 2 hour long snorkel with sharks collecting vital data for ongoing research projects. Including color change, population assessment and injury monitoring. Afternoon entering data into databases

DAY 8

Interview workshops – Onland lectures on working with human talent and the role of human talent in underwater films. Afternoon workshop on shooting broadcast quality interviews, including lighting, camera setup, audio and setting techniques.

DAY 9

B-Roll and Sequences – including scenics using drones, topside scenics, shooting over and under shots(pool and rockpool) and the variety of shots required to build a professional sequence.

DAY 10

Professional camera dives – Double tank dives using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These dives focus on collecting marine wildlife content,’b-roll’ in a variety of shots (closeup, medium, wide angle).

DAY 11

Professional camera dives – Double tank dive using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These dives focus on working with human talent and specifically ensuring humans can seamlessly enter into underwater sequences

DAY 12

Professional camera dives – Double tank dive using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These dives focus on the collection of marine wildlife footage and underwater scenics and a variety of underwater shots on subjects (medium, wide angle).

DAY 13

Editing – Use footage collected from all previous dives to produce engaging and compelling sequences of the underwater world, with overlaid expert interviews and B-roll. Critique session with the course instructor.

DAY 14

Aquarium (South Africa) expedition  – Day to be spent using professional grade and prosumer grade cameras on a specialist trip to the open oceans thank at an Aquarium (South Africa).

DAY 15

Editing tutorials – Spend the day learning editing techniques

DAY 16

Professional camera dives – Double tank dives (if possible) using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. Dive focus on collecting content of marine wildlife, b-roll in a variety of shots (closeup, medium, wide angle).

DAY 17

Professional camera dives – Double tank dives using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These two dives focus on collecting marine wildlife content, b-roll in a variety of shots (closeup, medium, wide angle).

DAY 18

Editing & Lectures –

DAY 19

Professional camera dives – Double tank dives using professional grade underwater camera setups with lights. These two dives focus on collecting marine wildlife content, b-roll in a variety of shots (closeup, medium, wide angle).

DAY 20

Career development & Portfolio – Morning to be spent on career development for aspiring wildlife underwater videographers, including the development of professional network, freelancer work, social media marketing, and career opportunities. The afternoon will be spent finalising your video portfolio and exporting prior to an evening showing of the group portfolios.

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