This four week seminar will explore the technical and aesthetic possibilities of simple motion picture optical effects. Use of the J-K optical printer, the simplest commercially manufactured optical printer in the world, will be covered in detail. Testing procedures will be thoroughly demonstrated, and students will be given one printing assignment. The emphasis of this course will be on optical effects that are practical and useful for low budget independent filmmaking, rather than the highly complex and prohibitively expensive opticals seen in many Hollywood feature films. Outside work is required.
All equipment is provided, but students pay for their own film and laboratory expenses.
Grading is based on optical printing assignments and participation. This course is not listed for credit through the University of Pittsburgh. If you are a Pitt student and would like to take it for credit, contact the instructor, and then register for a 1 credit independent study. The seminar dates are not consecutive weeks. This course is designed for actors who would like to improve their craft by better understanding the differences between acting for the stage and acting for the camera, and for film and television directors who would like to work more effectively with actors.