Sharper reporters and steadier camera work, taught in small groups
Practical courses in Reading for reporters and camera operators: field technique, piece-to-camera delivery and live coverage, taught through exercises rather than slides.
Five courses for the people who make television news
zaflyra teaches the practical side of television journalism. Camera operators work on composition, exposure and audio. Reporters work on delivery and scripting. Everyone can learn how a live broadcast is planned and filed. Groups stay small so each person gets time on the kit.
Field Camera Techniques
Hands-on courses in shot composition, exposure, audio capture and handheld stability for news camera operators.
On-Camera Reporting
Coaching in piece-to-camera delivery, scripting for pictures and staying composed under pressure.
Live Coverage Strategies
Training in planning, cueing and filing live broadcasts from the field with a small crew.
Newsroom Classroom Workshops
Small-group classroom sessions on story structure, editing choices and interview technique.
Reporter and Camera Pairing Days
Joint exercises where reporters and operators plan and shoot a story together from brief to edit.
Not sure which course fits your role or experience? Describe your current work in the contact form and we will talk through the sensible starting point.
CoursesFrom first enquiry to your first session
Everything starts with a message through the contact page. From there we agree the course, put the terms in writing and set a date that suits your group.
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Send an enquiry
Use the contact form to tell us your role, your experience and what you want to improve. A short description is enough. Tom Whitaker, our course coordinator, reads every message.
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Talk through the options
We reply with suggestions on which course suits you and whether a group or one-to-one format makes sense. You can ask about content, dates and what to bring.
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Receive a written quotation
Once the course is chosen, we send a written quotation or confirmation covering what is included. Nothing is charged at this stage.
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Pay by invoice
After confirmation we issue an invoice, paid by bank transfer. Cancellations and refunds follow the payment and refund policy, which you can read before you commit.
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Attend and practise
Sessions take place in Reading in small groups, with hands-on exercises from the first hour. You leave with notes on your own work and clear points to keep practising.
Field Camera Techniques or On-Camera Reporting?
Both courses are practical, but they suit different roles. This guide helps you decide where to start, or whether a joint pairing day would serve a reporter and operator working together.
| What to compare | Field Camera Techniques | On-Camera Reporting |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Camera operators who want steadier, cleaner pictures and better sound on location. | Reporters who present to camera and want to sound clear and composed. |
| Main skills | Shot composition, exposure, audio capture and handheld stability. | Piece-to-camera delivery, scripting for pictures and handling pressure. |
| Taught by | Daniel Okafor, a former news camera operator. | Helen Marsh, a former television news reporter. |
| How you practise | Shooting exercises with broadcast-style cameras, reviewed shot by shot. | Recorded deliveries, played back and refined with the tutor. |
| Good to know | Comfortable if you already shoot but want to tighten your technique. | Useful whether you are new to presenting or already on air. |
Many learners take both over time. If you work as a pair, ask about the Reporter and Camera Pairing Days, where you plan and shoot together.
Questions we hear often
These are the practical points people ask before enquiring. If yours is missing, the contact page is the quickest way to get an answer.
- Do I need professional experience to join a course?
- No. Some learners are starting out and others already work in a newsroom. Tell us your background when you enquire and we will suggest a course and group that suits your level, so nobody is left behind or held back.
- Where do the courses take place?
- Sessions run from our base at 14 Kings Road Court in Reading, with practical exercises in the surrounding area where a course needs outdoor shooting. We confirm the exact location and meeting time in writing before your session.
- How big are the groups?
- Groups are kept small so every learner gets time on the equipment and individual feedback from the tutor. The exact size depends on the course, and we will tell you when we confirm your place.
- Do I need to bring my own camera?
- Check your confirmation for details of what is provided and what to bring. Field Camera Techniques is built around hands-on shooting, so ask us if you would like to practise on your own kit.
- How do I book and pay?
- You send an enquiry through the contact page, then receive a written quotation or confirmation. After that we issue an invoice, which you pay by bank transfer. Nothing is bought through the website itself.
- What happens if I need to cancel?
- Cancellations and refunds follow our payment and refund policy, which sets out the terms plainly. Read it before confirming, and contact us as early as you can if your plans change.
- Can a reporter and operator attend together?
- Yes. The Reporter and Camera Pairing Days are designed for exactly that. You plan a story together, shoot it and take it through to the edit, so each of you sees the other's side of the job.
- Will I get feedback on my own work?
- Feedback is part of every course. Tutors review your shots, deliveries or plans during the session and point out specific things to keep working on, so you leave knowing what to practise next.
Tell us what you want to get better at
Send a short message about your role and the course you have in mind, whether camera work, reporting or live coverage, and we will reply with the next step.