Ronin Course for Camera Assistants

Course Name: Ronin Course for Camera Assistants

Date the course commences: Sat 15th & Sun 16th August 2026 

Duration: 2 Days

Cost: Free

Venue Location: Wicklow/Dublin, in-person tbc

Tutor(s): Patrick Griffin. Assisted by Ian Birney and Jordan Drennan.

Course Profile:

This in person course will run over 2 days;

This hands-on course, run by the National Talent Academies: Film & TV Crew Academy East,  is designed to give working 2nd and 1st Assistant Camera crew the skills to build, balance and troubleshoot gimbal systems with confidence, and to support the camera team effectively from the moment the gear comes out. The aim is to raise the standard of gimbal operation across the Irish film and television industry and to help camera assistants become more versatile, confident and employable members of the crew.

Course Content:

• Where the gear is most used on set.
• Building different camera configurations on the Ronin 2.
• Setting up the Ronin 4D.
• Troubleshooting common issues.
• Intensive practical workshop led by the tutor team.
• Working through realistic on-set scenarios.
• Tackling the common challenges of gimbal operation.
• Effective problem-solving strategies.
• Achieving smoother, more efficient camera-department workflows.

Participant Profile:

This course is aimed at 2nd Assistant Camera and 1st AC crew who have been working in the drama industry for four or more years on mid-high budget Film & TV productions, and who want to add confident, safe gimbal operation to their skill set. It suits crew who already work within the camera department and want to deepen their technical expertise with the Ronin systems.

The course is limited to 10 participants

Application Procedure:

Please apply online before the deadline at this LINK by 12pm, Tuesday 28th July.

For technical difficulties with the online system please email brian.murphy@nationaltalentacademies.ie

Selection on courses/programmes will be based on quality of application and industry experience relevant to the course and participant profile.  We do not accept CVs so please make sure you outline all relevant experience in the application form. 

Film & TV Crew Academies courses are open to all regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

Tutor Profile(s):

Patrick Griffin began his career in the camera department in 2016 as a camera trainee on a small feature film shooting in his hometown of Galway. Inspired by the experience, he relocated to Dublin to pursue a full-time career in film and television production. Over the following three years, Patrick gained valuable experience as a camera trainee on major productions including The Rhythm Section and The Turning.

In 2019, he secured his first role as a 2nd Assistant Camera (2nd AC) on the B Camera unit of Normal People, marking an important milestone in his career. Since then, Patrick has worked as a 2nd AC across a wide range of productions, from feature films and television dramas to short-form projects. Throughout this time, he has developed extensive technical expertise, working with advanced camera systems, gimbals such as the DJI Ronin 2 and Ronin 4D, and a variety of specialised camera support tools.

His experience spans both digital cinematography and traditional 35mm film workflows, giving him a deep understanding of the craft and technical demands of modern filmmaking. Through years of hands-on experience and collaboration with leading camera crews, Patrick has established himself as a highly skilled and dependable focus puller, known for his technical precision, adaptability, and commitment to excellence on set.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0341327/