MetFilm School Brighton students gain hands-on experience with 16mm and 35mm film

Level 6 BA Filmmaking students at MetFilm School Brighton recently gained rare hands-on experience with celluloid filmmaking, taking part in specialist workshops focused on Super 16 and 35mm formats.

The workshops included a visit to Kodak Film Lab London at Pinewood Studios, where students experienced the professional film processing workflow and watched their own exposed negatives emerge from the processor before seeing their footage scanned in real time.

As one of the few film schools in the UK still offering practical celluloid training, MetFilm School Brighton allows students to work with industry-standard equipment while developing the technical and creative skills needed for professional filmmaking.

Learning with industry-standard equipment

Thanks to MetFilm School’s permanent loan agreement with Panavision, students trained using professional film cameras that continue to be used across the industry:

• Arriflex SR3 (Super 16)
• Panaflex Gold II (3-Perf 35mm)
• Panaflex Platinum (2-Perf 35mm)

Panavision’s continued support makes these workshops possible and allows students to gain practical experience with professional equipment throughout their studies.

Kodak also supported the workshops by donating 400ft of Double-X 7222 black-and-white film stock and supplying approximately 11,000ft of 35mm stock, valued at almost £8,000. During the 35mm production, students shot on Kodak Vision3 500T/5219, giving them hands-on experience working with professional film stock.

Additional support was provided by our Creative Futures team, helping to make the trip and workshop experience possible for students.

Learning through hands-on experience

The workshops combined technical training with practical filmmaking, giving students the opportunity to develop their skills while working with analogue film.

Throughout the workshops, students took part in:

• Introductory 16mm and 35mm workshops
• A two-day 16mm and 35mm production
• A visit to Kodak Film Lab London at Pinewood Studios

Working with 100 ISO black-and-white film gave students a greater understanding of exposure, lighting, and careful planning before each shot. Shooting on film also encouraged collaboration across every department, with each creative decision having a direct impact on the final result.

Watching film come to life

Nine students visited Kodak Film Lab London at Pinewood Studios to see the complete film processing workflow.

They watched their exposed negatives emerge from the processor before following every stage of the laboratory process, including:

• Negative assembly
• Ultrasonic cleaning
• Labelling and preparation for scanning
• Real-time 4K scanning using the ScanStation 65 by Digital Orchard

Students stepped behind the scenes at Pinewood Studios, gaining unique insight into the full photochemical pipeline and the craft behind cinematic storytelling. . Home to more than 90 years of filmmaking history, the studios have been the setting for productions including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Carry On films, the James Bond franchise, and Marvel’s Avengers films.

Bringing industry into the classroom

Film Technician Richard Knights said:

“As one of the few UK film schools still teaching celluloid, we draw students from around the world who want to get hands-on with our Panavision film cameras. Film has a distinct look and feel, and everyone responds to it a little differently. It’s a tactile format that still appeals to new generations. There’s clear industry demand, and students consistently rate the experience highly. It’s a standout part of the course. We couldn’t run these workshops without the support of Panavision and Kodak Film Lab London.”

Louis Volker, BA Filmmaking student, said:

“Learning to shoot on film has informed my creative choices day to day massively. My understanding of exposure and lighting has completely changed throughout these workshops, and this will continue to be incredibly useful for years to come. Seeing our exposed film stock being developed and processed at Pinewood Studios was so fun.”

Experiences like these take learning beyond the classroom, giving MetFilm School Brighton students the chance to work with professional equipment, explore every stage of production, and develop the skills to bring stories to life.

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