16mm FILMMAKING WORKSHOP : THE ANIMATED GROUND MEETS THE FILM STRIP : 23rd – 24th March

In this two-day workshop led by guest artist and filmmaker Vicky Smith, participants will shoot a 16mm film, learn Bolex camera operation, darkroom processing and animation techniques. Film will be considered as quantities of frames and lengths that can be impressed with passages of light, traces and textures using methods of framing, rubbing and layering.

Please note that no prior experience of film technology or making is required. This introductory course is ideal for newcomers to the medium as well as for artists experienced with digital production and wanting to learn about analogue filmmaking technology and language.

On day 1, you will learn how to use a Bolex 16mm film camera, learning functions including filming at different film rates and extended exposures, as well as using a light meter. You will plan a project, gather materials and shoot a short film.

On day 2, you will learn to process and print your film stock. The workshop will end with a screening of participants’ films made during the workshop.
Vicky Smith has been practicing experimental animation for 25 years. Recent exhibitions include: Stacking at Alchemy Film Festival (2015); Noisy Licking, Dribbling and Spitting: London Short Film Festival (2015); Cornerhouse Artist Film DVD, ICA, London (2015); Explorative Sensoriums in Film and Video, Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol (2014); Bicycle Tyre Track in Assembly at Tate Britain (2014) and Exploding Cinema (2013). Recently published work includes Full Body Film in Sequence (2013) and presentation of research at Ghost Hostings: 13 at Central St. Martins.

Vicky recently received her Doctorate for a practice-led enquiry into affective relations between bodies and technologies in feminist experimental animation. She wishes to develop the discourse on live animation by formulating a post-doc collaboration and co-authored paper(s) with key researchers in the field. She is a co-founder of the Bristol-based film and sound collective BEEF.

BEEF (Bristol Experimental and Expanded Film) is a film and sound collective with an analogue heart initiated to support and nurture experimental film in Bristol. BEEF currently inhabits 25 Portland Square, St Pauls: prefab offices are being used as studios alongside a communal area for screening events and a darkroom with a contact printer and hand-processing facilities for 16mm film. A place of vibrant discussion and skill-sharing, we curate a regular programme of events, run community film and sound workshops and host the Bristol LUX Critical Forum. As a studio-based collective we are self-sustaining and have recently been awarded ACE funding for our events programme and 8 artists’ film production bursaries from UWE’s Centre for Moving Image Research.

Image: Vicky Smith, 33 Frames Per Foot, 2013, 16mm performance