Gates Underwater Products owner, John Ellerbrock, along with filmmaker Ron Lagerlof are running a two-day workshop covering the use of Gates products at AbelCine, Los Angeles. The dates are 30 April to 1 May and the topics to be covered include the setup, test and operation of Gates systems, test tools and a practical understanding of underwater optics.

Registration is available on the AbelCine page and the workshop costs $800/person.

From AbelCine website:

Underwater Cinema Gear with Gates Underwater Products.

Becoming a successful underwater professional requires several distinct skill sets including scuba diving competence, underwater imaging experience, and underwater equipment familiarity. Underwater Cinema Gear follows the Gates STO Basics curriculum, which focuses on the Setup, Test and Operation (STO) of Gates professional underwater imaging systems.

The Gates STO Basics Certification sends the student forth as a Gates Ambassador with a resume skill to help secure work on TV / Cinema / Natural History productions. This is valuable to productions, as it avoids downtime due to untrained equipment operators.

Since 1969, Gates has designed and manufactured the most reliable underwater housings in the world. Commercial divers, marine researchers, professional videographers, salvage operators, military divers, film and TV producers, and recreational divers turn to Gates for their “bulletproof” housings.

Topics

• Proficiency in the setup of Gates underwater housings.
• On-location test tools and techniques for establishing housing seal integrity.
• Basic operation of Gates underwater imaging systems, and tips/tricks to assist the underwater cameraman / DP.
• Practical understanding of underwater optics, port types/applications, and optical materials.

The workshop is running from 04/30/2015 through till 05/01/2015 at AbelCine, Los Angeles and costs $800/person.