BBC offers free video training online

Aspiring documentary makers take note: the BBC has launched an interactive training course online.

The 'Good Shooting Guide' gives advice on choosing equipment, getting to grips with the technology, and preparing and planning for a shoot. Directors and editors from programmes like Blue Peter and Tiger Trail give their advice in a series of training videos available on the site.

The BBC's responsibility to increase media literacy, coupled with its increasing use of freelancers has prompted it to share internal training methods with the general public, said Helena Liden, a spokesperson for BBC Training & Development.

The corporation expects that a significant volume of future television content will be produced by the public, and hopes educating amateur film makers in modern digital video techniques will improve the quality of their content.

"In ten years it may be the case that every regional radio station has its own television channel. Where is the content going to come from? We think a bulk of this will come from ordinary consumers with digital video cameras,"said Liden.

The Good Shooting Guide is available here.