Kodak Canada Hosts 35 mm Cinematography Workshop for Local Film Students

February 2008

A three-day student cinematography workshop was held in Vancouver, Canada, in early February. Conducted by Kodak cinematographer Randy Tack, it involved 15 students from five local schools, including Capilano College, Emily Carr Institute for Contemporary Arts, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia (UBC), and Vancouver Film School (VFS). Also actors from the VFS acting program donated their time to take part in the program.

Industry partners such as Clairmont Camera, Paramount Production Support and Bridge Studios helped out by providing equipment and free studio space. Additionally, the Stargate: Atlantis TV production permitted the group use of one of its main sets. Even the local Kodak office was used as the backdrop for some scenes.

"Students were nominated by their instructors to take part, as hands-on participation in the workshop was limited to ensure maximum benefit for all involved," says Roger Reid, account manager, Western Canada, for Kodak's Entertainment Imaging Division. "We chose to conduct the class using 35 mm film since most students don't have the opportunity to shoot in the format while attending school."

Tack provided instruction and guidance as the students shot two short films the first two days. Larry Portmann, an experienced local camera assistant, also helped by explaining the role of the crewmembers to the students, in addition to many other tips of the trade.

"We discussed things such as color theory, color negative emulsion structure, and ultimately how to choose the proper film stock," recalls Rob Cotroneo, a fourth-year film production student at UBC who participated in the workshop. "We were like kids in a candy store (on the Stargate set). Each group had a professional 1st AC to help set up the 35 mm ARRI, and had a professional gaffer from Stargate: Atlantis help with lighting . . . we had every tool we could image to get the perfect shot."

The final day included film transfers at Technicolor Creative Services and a tour of the film lab and DI suite. The students were able to color grade their scenes with a colorist at Technicolor on a da Vinci system. Participants were also treated to the new KODAK VISION3 5219 and 7219 demonstration films at Technicolor's screening room. They were able to learn first-hand how VISION3 film incorporates new technology that offers increased exposure latitude and color detail with noticeably reduced grain, especially in the brightest highlights and darkest shadows. Finally, a DVD was provided to each participant as a record of what they had created.

"I learned so much from this workshop as it was essentially an extension of UBC's cinematography class, except on the 35 mm medium," Cotroneo concludes. "The best thing, however, was having the opportunity to collaborate with students from other schools and seeing where they come from as filmmakers."