Brighton's Object of the Month '“ a pioneering '˜special effect' cine-camera
April’s object is the ‘Special Effect’ cine-camera by Alfred Darling, c1899-1900.
This 35mm camera was designed and built by Brighton-based engineer Alfred Darling, to create special effects in early films.
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Hide AdIt has two removable plates with apertures, which produce the effect of looking through a telescope, magnifying glass or binoculars.
In 1899, Brighton filmmaker George Albert Smith bought a similar camera from Darling and soon afterwards shot Grandma’s Reading Glass, which pioneered film editing techniques.
Moving between ‘objective’ and ‘subjective’ views, he created some of the earliest close-up shots in film history.
The cine-camera can be seen in Brighton Museum’s Experimental Motion film display until June 25.
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