On May 3, the student film Bauhaus – Broken Wings premiered at The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood as part of California State University, Northridge’s (CSUN) 16th Annual Student Film Showcase. Directed by Philipp Eireund, the film was the inaugural production of The ARRI 35mm Project, a program which provides a 35mm motion picture experience to a selected CSUN Department of Cinema and Television Arts senior film each semester. ARRI Inc. provided an ARRICAM, lighting was supplied by Illumination Dynamics, Fotokem processed the film and J.L. Fisher offered a dolly for the shoot. As a CSUN alumnus and ARRI Vice President of Western Operations, Bill Russell was instrumental in the development of this program.

“We wanted to give students an opportunity to shoot on 35mm as a ticket into the industry,” says Russell. “We’re toolmakers. We make tools for people to bring their ideas to screen.”

Based on true events, Bauhaus – Broken Wings runs just over 22 minutes and follows a group of students at the Bauhaus School for Arts and Architecture as they attempt to save their art from the rise of the Nazi Party. Led by a sculptor named Jack Porter, the students face the decision of whether to stand up for their artistic expression or give way to the forces of Fascism. Kenton D. Johnson served as cinematographer on the film.

Students in the film program also took part in an intensive lighting and camera workshop with ARRI staff. Technical Services Manager Stephan Ukas-Bradley talked about the ARRIFLEX 235 while students had the chance to look through its viewfinder and feel the small camera on their shoulders. Maria Carpenter of Illumination Dynamics gave advice on lighting rentals and insurance. John Gresch, VP of ARRI Lighting explained the different types of lights along with lighting configurations for different camera set ups and the importance of a shot list.

The students were also treated to hands-on demonstrations outside the classroom, with lighting setups in the university’s botanical garden. Ron Sill (Lighting Sales and Customer Service) and Mike Jones (Technical Sales Representative, Lighting Division) took the students through safety issues, troubleshooting tips, artistic and technical choices involved with lighting a film. 

The Dept. of Cinema and Television Arts at CSUN provides students with academic and professional training for careers in the entertainment and educational/corporate media fields. The major prepares students for creative and management careers in commercials or public radio, television, film and multimedia positions as well as related scholarly areas.

An Tran