First day on set as a Camera Trainee

First day on set as a Camera Trainee

Course: First day on set as a Camera Trainee

Dates of delivery: Sat 13th and Sunday 14th of June 2026

Duration:  2 Days, 10am – 6pm.

Cost: Free

Venue: In-person. Wicklow Venue tbc.

Course Tutor: Camila Gomes

Course Profile:

This course is designed to prepare aspiring camera trainees for their first days working on a professional film set, equipping them with the essential skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to perform effectively within the camera department. The focus of the training is to ensure participants understand how a set operates, what is expected from them, and how to support the camera team from day one without feeling overwhelmed or unprepared.

Course Content:

  • Overview of the Camera department.
  • Practical use of equipment most often used on set.
  • Daily Set Workflow.
  • How to handle and clean cinematography lenses.
  • How to read a Call sheet
  • What to do before moving the gear to the set.
  • Workflow on set.
  • How to support your Camera team.
  • Communications & scheduling.
  • Adapt to the dynamic and fast-paced nature of film and television production environments.
  • Industry relationships and career strategies.
Participant Profile:

This course is ideal for aspiring camera trainees and individuals who can demonstrate a passion for cinematography and wish to specialise in the technical and operational aspects of the camera department. It is suited to those who are interested in pursuing a career as a camera trainee and want to understand how to properly support the camera crew and the Director of Photography.

Application Procedure:

Please apply online before the deadline at this LINK 12pm, Monday 25th May.

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.

Reasonable accommodations: We aim to accommodate all attendees to help ensure they can successfully participate in our programmes. Reasonable accommodations are adjustments or modifications we can make to help those with disabilities participate fully in our training events.

Tutor Profile:

Camila Gomes started her career as a camera trainee on the famous TV show Vikings, season 6. The dynamic nature of the work required quick learning and adaptability, qualities that the “Vikings Boys” team, of which Camila was the sole female member, embraced and nurtured. With her expertise in running units and loading cameras, along with building the camera in different setups and knowing how to deal with Ronin, coupled with her experience in pulling focus, she has become a valuable member of any production team. She was soon invited to contribute to several major productions across Ireland, including Vikings: Valhalla Season 1, 2, and 3, The Tourist, Sherlock and Daughter, Blue Moon, and Obituary Season 2.