The Center for Computation and Technology is now providing students with an opportunity to see how blockbuster visual effects are created.
The Digital Media Arts and Engineering, Cultural Computing and the Center for Computation and Technology will continue it’s free monthly film series, now featuring guest speakers from the film industry, starting on Nov. 13.
The series began in October with a screening of “District 9” in the Louisiana Digital Media Center Theatre.
The theater has a 4K projector for a beyond high-definition experience and a Meyer Sound Constellation. This sound system automatically amplifies noise, making microphones unnecessary.
Many people do not know what happens behind the camera to make certain scenes possible, said Marc Aubanel, director of Digital Media Arts and Engineering in the CCT.
These screenings will give people an opportunity to learn more about filmmaking — particularly visual effects.
“It’s sort of like seeing a magician explain magic tricks,” said Aubanel.
November’s screening will be of the action-comedy “RED” and feature a Skype session with Bruce Woloshyn, a visual effects supervisor from Method Studios in Vancouver, Canada. Some of Woloshyn’s other work includes “Smallville,” “Invictus,” “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” and “The Twilight Saga.”
The next screening, on Dec. 3, will show “Star Trek Into Darkness”, with guest speaker and visual effects supervisor from Pixomondo, David Burton. Burton also worked as special effects supervisor of “The Amazing Spiderman,” “The Crazies,” and “Castaway.”
Aubanel said these speakers will provide the audiences with a unique depiction of how these films were made, demonstrating how they develop from a green screen to fully constructed scene.
Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions.
Aubanel and his colleagues plan to continue the series next semester with some early films from the 20th Century, B-movies and concert films.
All of the screening will take place in the Louisiana Digital Media Center Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and films will start at 7 p.m.