It takes hours and hours to get proficient with a gear head. First goal is to get to the point where you are not thinking about left, right or up and down - it just all of a sudden locks in and you are free to compose. I mainly use the gear head for close-ups and on a dolly. You need to know this tool! All crane shots are achieved with the camera on a remote head which is controlled by a set of wheels on the ground. Be more valuable to your camera crew by mastering these wheels!