A Day on Set, Not Just in a Classroom.

What a day! Last week Crew Studio welcomed a group of camera assistants, junior operators, and emerging cinematographers at Sony DMPC, Pinewood Studios, UK, for a truly immersive hands-on experience. Split into two dynamic sessions, participants didn’t just learn but operated, collaborated, and created in real time on a live set.

Getting to Grips with Sony’s Sleekest System Yet

At the heart of the workshop was the VENICE Extension System Mini: Sony’s most agile yet. At around 70% the size of its predecessor, the Extension System 2, this compact marvel maintains the exceptional image quality of the VENICE 2* while enabling nimble handheld, gimbal, and POV shooting making it a perfect match for emerging operators hungry for speed and flexibility.

Those who attended got a chance to work on a functioning set with professional actors and dynamic blocking. Participants had the priceless opportunity to shoot a fast‑paced scene live, responding organically to movement and performance while mastering handheld operation.

Understanding the Wider Cinematic Ecosystem

Beyond operating, the workshop emphasised the unique workflow of a professional operator and collaborative mindsets essential on set. Participants practised interacting with the Director Nathan Caselton, Cinematographer Rick Joaquim, and Operator Marc Hill.

Learning from the Best in the Business

We were honoured to have two outstanding tutors:

• Marc Hill ACO, seasoned steadicam and camera operator with 20 years’ experience in film, TV, commercials and promos. His collaborative teaching style—shaped by his work leading workshops for the ACO—gave participants grounded insight into professional operating.
• Rick Joaquim SASC, multi‑award‑winning London‑based cinematographer. Rick’s richly visual style and storytelling sensibility have earned him accolades including “Best Cinematographer” at the British Short Film Awards (2022, 2024), the SAFTA for Best Cinematography in a Documentary, and selection for ASC Vision Mentorships with Jess Hall ASC BSC and Alice Brooks ASC. His work has featured in ARRI’s 2019 global showreel and screened at Sundance, Cannes, and Aesthetica.

What Makes This Workshop a Winning Experience

• Unforgettable, immersive learning: Operating on a live set with real actors builds instincts you won’t get from books.
• Tool‑driven confidence: The SONY VENICE Extension System Mini allowed participants to explore handheld technique without being hampered by heavy kit.
• Communication as craft: Knowing how to speak on set is as crucial as knowing your camera—and we practised both.
• Strong mentorship: Learning from Marc and Rick brought not just technique—but industry wisdom and pathways forward.

Looking Ahead: More Workshops, More Skill, More Set Confidence

We’re thrilled by the energy, skillups, and newfound confidence our attendees left with. If you’re keen to catch the next session—be it operating, gimbal work, lighting, or storytelling—follow our updates at Crew Studio. We’re committed to bringing more of these high‑impact, deeply practical experiences to UK filmmakers.