George Parker Mann

Does anyone know of any A.C. workshops in Southern California?

I'm in Los Angeles, I have a film degree but no real professional set experience. I'm looking to take a training course to give me some more hands on experience and maybe make myself more desirable for work, or at least less incompetent. Someone recommended learning Avid, and while I'm sure I would enjoy it I'm much more of a set guy than an editor. Currently I'm looking at Steadicam or Red One training. Due to costs, if it came down to one, which should I go for? Alternatively, what other sorts of courses would you more strongly recommend? I'm honestly open ended as far as career trajectories go so specific cameras, lighting kits, rigs, anything that might give me an edge on actually getting work to begin with would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all your help. As a final clarification. say I'm looking at this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2859...or_1_Three.html It has the 120-240VAC rating and I can purchase 240v bulbs. The cable is rated 120 but seems to be extension anyway so I can get new cables with the plug adapters and that should be fine. Does that all seem accurate to you?

Okay, so just to make sure I am clear on this. I need the lampheads to be somewhere within the range of 110 and 240 volts. The second part I don't understand. What is bubble stock? Thanks for your input.

I am planning on getting some lights, probably a Lowell Pro (250 watts), Omni (500 watts), and Tota (750 watts), though this is not yet set in stone. I will be going to South Africa in a few months and will be shooting some interviews and was wondering if these lights would function properly there. Obviously I will be using power converter/adapters but is the actual power that will be available through those devices going to be sufficient? As you can probably tell, I've never dealt with power conversion and although I have worked with said lights, I do not own any of my own as of yet. Please help me with my problem and give any related suggestions if you can.