Celluloid for the Camera and Lighting department
Ready to step into the world of real film? Join our Celluloid for Camera and Lighting department course and develop hands-on skills working with 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm film cameras and join a unique demonstration of a 65mm camera.
Our 7-day hybrid course ( 6 days in-person, 1-day online) is designed to give you the practical, technical, and creative skills needed to work in the camera and lighting department on a celluloid film production.
You will work at our fully equipped Newton Studio Lab in Salford, learning from renowned cinematographers Laura Hilliard and Stephen Wyatt and with other industry professionals.
Across 7 intensive days, you will master the full celluloid cinematography process — from building and loading cameras to lighting film sets and shooting your own material. Your footage will be processed at the KODAK London Lab in Pinewood Studios and reviewed during the final online day.
Who is it for?
This course is designed primarily for the camera and lighting departments (for DOPS, Camera Operators, 1st ACs, 2nd ACs, trainees, and Gaffers).
What you will learn:
- Preparation of Super 8, 16 and 35mm cameras.
- Demonstration of a 65mm camera.
- ‘Traditional’ film camera setups and what elements are required to retro fit them to modern camera practises.
- Co-axial and displacement magazine types.
- Threading and loop adjustment on 16mm and 35mm cameras gaining hands-on experience operating, loading and lighting for film across the gauges.
- Light meter operation and contrast ratios and compensating with ND filter and slow motion.
- Film stock Identification and camera roll mark ups.
- Focus pulling on film.
- Examining film gauges, focal length and field of view across all film formats.
- Ground glasses and optical viewfinders
- How to prep for scratch tests, and Pin registration tests before camera checkout.
- Conduct dynamic range tests to determine what your creative requirements are for your project.
What is included?
- On-site training in our fully equipped Newton Studio Lab in Salford
- Online training to review individual material shot on Film
- Access to lighting and camera equipment and accessories
- Sessions led by industry experts
- Learning resources and materials during and after the course
- Guest experts from KODAK, Orchard Film (Digital Orchard) and Sunbelt Rentals
- Lunch and refreshments each day
- A Certificate of Completion from the University of Salford recognised by industry
Date: 27-29 August (on-site in Newton Studio Lab Salford) 10-12 September (on-site in Lab)
3rd October (Online)
Trainers: Laura Hilliard and Steven Wyatt
Course Length: 7 days: 6 days face-to-face and 1-day online
Location: Newton Studio Lab in Salford, Greater Manchester, UK
Age: Over 18
Cost: £2500 – deposit and full payment details are listed on the application form
Accommodation: You will need to arrange your own travel, your accommodation and evening meals. Further guidance on this can be found here.
Applications open Monday July 7th 9am and close Monday July 28th at 4pm.
We are an inclusive training provider offering fair access to the course. If you are offered and accept a place on this programme we will be in touch for you to outline any particular needs you may have.