Physical celluloid film refresher for the camera department
This 6-day face to face training programme based in film studios in Salford is a short, sharp practical course to bring skills in the contemporary nuances of celluloid film camera production up to date for future employment prospects in this growing sector.
The course is supported by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions, and is delivered by The Pipeline with expert cinematographers, Laura Hilliard and Steve Wyatt. It is further supported by SunBelt Rentals, Kodak and Digital Orchard.
Who it’s for
The training programme is for 15 early to expert professionals working in the film industry including 2nd/ 1st assistant camera, Technicians, Gaffers, DOP’s and HOD’s keen to top-up practical and technical skills on the contemporary nuances of filming on 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm. We are also actively looking for returners back into the industry who have existing skills but need training on capture, exposure, focus pulling, lighting, and other practical aspects of filming.
We welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability (physical and neurodivergent); people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
We support inclusive training and are happy to discuss individual needs in confidence – via hello-pipelinemedia@salford.ac.uk.
What it covers
The 6-day face to face sessions at the film production studios in the University of Salford, are designed to offer participants the opportunity to build on their knowledge exponentially through training on technical and practical modernization techniques and associated equipment including lighting and sound. Led by expert cinematographers and filmmakers Laura Hilliard and Steven Wyatt, each face-to-face session within the film studio will be delivered using contemporary case studies and real-world shooting scenarios to maximize relevance and participant understanding. The course consists of 6 in person training days based within a bespoke film production studio in Salford (2 x 3 days) with a two week break in between to process film at Kodak and Digital Orchard that the participants have shot. The film production studio is stocked with purpose-built sets and a range of cameras, lighting and grip equipment which will be supplemented by equipment from our Industry partner Sunbelt Rentals to cover film camera formats (8mm, 16mm and 35mm) and provide participants with an optimal learning environment. A variety of Film stocks will be provided by Kodak to facilitate the training. Participants will have access to a range of materials and practical guides within an encrypted online portal drawn up for this training programme which will be populated before, during and after the training has ended.
Course Tutors
Laura Hilliard
Laura Hilliard is a cinematographer based in Manchester, UK. She completed her BFA with honors in Film and Television from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Laura was a finalist for the 2017 Undergraduate Volker Bahnemann Arriflex Award and the recipient of the 2017 Bahoric Meisel Award for Women Cinematographers.
She has worked thousands of hours as a cinematographer, camera assistant, gaffer, and grip, on professional film shoots including independent feature films, award winning short films, music videos, and commercials. She has worked on shoots with and for collaborators and clients such as Joan Baez, SNL, VICE, Snapchat, TED X, Oslo Freedom Forum, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Milk Makeup, The American Museum of Natural History, Steinway Piano Factory, Gatorade, Nike, Lego, Playtex, Samsung, Extinction Rebellion, the Manhattan Men’s College Basketball Team, KYRA TV, and Elite Daily Magazine.
Laura has taught as a professor of Undergraduate Cinematography at the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and currently teaches 16mm cinematography at the University of Salford in Media City UK. She is an Arri Accredited film Instructor and holds a PGCAP.
Steven Wyatt
Steven Wyatt is an Award Winning Cinematographer & Owner Operator with 10+ years experience, based between London & Manchester and is an Arri Certified Instructor. Originally from Hong Kong, Steven moved to the UK to train at Northern Film School gaining an BA & MA in Film Production.
He specialised in Cinematography, where he trained exclusively and traditionally on motion picture film, and through his placement at Shepperton Studios in 2008. Steven has gone on to shoot films for screen agencies such as the UK Film Council & Northwest Vision & Media.
An early adopter of Digital Cinema, he shot his first project ‘Top of the Range’ featuring Joe Gilgun (This is England, Misfits & Preacher) on the Red Camera in 4K and did the same for his debut feature film ‘Ada’ shot on location in Albania in 2011.
Steven has since worked for numerous production companies shooting commercial and digital content and as of 2017 shot 10 funded short films as part of the ‘Cinage film programme’. His most recent project includes contributing as Cinematographer to ‘The Reckoning of Erin Morrigan’, with Alumni National Film School Director Gabrielle Russell. Recently Wrapping production in the Republic of Ireland this March. Steven, continues to divide his time between lecturing in film making and cinematography at the University of Salford and working on freelancing projects nationwide.
Course dates:
15th-17th November: Participants will undertake detailed practical training on contemporary celluloid film cameras, methods and applications used across film production. The participants will be taken through celluloid camera prep workflows and celluloid specific testing to help contextual innovation and technological development within the film camera department. They will be introduced to the new formats available and undertake practical sessions building and loading cameras and handling ancillary equipment. The cohort will work with a variety of camera systems, problem solve in real world shooting scenarios, and be brought up to date with film development, lab, and scanning procedures to gain a deeper understanding of budgets, timescales, and creative considerations of celluloid film acquisition.
6th-8th December: Participants will review and reflect on footage shot in the first training block to analyze and reflect on their experience and practice under the supervision of the trainers. The sessions will also allow the time to refamiliarize and deepen the participants’ confidences of the different camera platforms (8mm, 16mm, 35mm). Follow up practical studio sessions will build confidence in individual camera usage and group test shooting within camera department roles. The course will culminate in participant led shooting scenarios which will demonstrate each individual’s growth throughout the course. Guest speakers will be sourced and either deliver sessions face to face within the Film Studio or online.
Topics covered across the course will include practical and technical information as well as some creative aspects, however the course is primarily focused on camera techniques and not sync sound narrative filmmaking
Deadline: 1st November 2024
Price: Free
Age: 18+
Location: Onsite at Newton Film Production Studios, University of Salford.