Celluloid for the camera and lighting department

May 2026

Ready to step into the world of real film? Join our Celluloid Production Course and develop hands-on skills working with 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm film cameras.

Our 7-day hybrid course ( 6 days in-person, 1day 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.
Dates: 18th May (Online), 20-22 May & 27-29 May (on-site in Newton Studio Lab Salford)

You’ll work at our fully equipped Newton Studio Space in Salford, learning from renowned cinematographers and industry professionals. Across 7 intensive days, you’ll 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.

Course Description

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