Rocky Mountain Hand-Made Film Institute
Weekend Intensive: Make Your Own Emulsion
August 16-17
Spend two days learning how to make your own film emulsions and work with film
chemistry. This weekend intensive, offered August 16-17, 2003 is dedicated to
clearly explaining the scientific underpinnings of emulsion chemistry and to
the hands-on application of emulsion-making techniques, so as to empower you
to explore and invent. We will also address questions about the aesthetic implications
and uses of handmade techniques in your own filmmaking.
Hand-Made Emulsions
The seminar will focus primarily on making your own silver gelatin emulsions
and will touch on making non-silver emulsions. Hands-on and experimental - no
previous knowledge necessary. We will explain enough about the theories and
mechanisms involved so as to make sense of what's happening, and explain processing
chemistry as needed. Though the course is primarily concerned with making and
using your own emulsions, much of what is discussed applies to standard commercially-available
silver gelatin film and has implications for what you can do with it using handmade
techniques.
The seminar takes place amidst aspen groves, ponderosa pine forests and wildflowers in an idyllic setting located in the Rocky Mountains, 45 minutes northwest of Boulder, Colorado. Camping is free and encouraged, though off-site accommodations are also available. The setting is conducive to an intense focus on the work at hand while providing immersion in the beauty of the natural world. Gourmet vegetarian meals provided both days. Cost is $200/$150 students including all seminar materials, meals, and camping.