When Dreams Become Reality By Faith Camp, 10.27.05
Virginia Beach, VA - In “Lord of the Rings,” Lord Sauron, seeks power and destruction of the fellowship of the ring. But the ring refuses to be broken and controlled. The two forces prepare for war in the midst of Middle Earth as a circle of fire surrounds them.
The movie’s assistant special effects director of photography, Chuck Schuman shared his experiences and knowledge about creating the visual and sound effects with a group of graduate students at Regent University.
Working on the special effects for “Lord of the Rings,” was one of the most fulfilling moments of his career, he said.
“Lord of the Rings” also presented the most challenges in producing its special effects.
The graphics for all three series combined were so detailed and complex that they took three years to produce.
“I like planning the lighting for movies," Shuman said.
It was his childhood dream to work with special effects.
“I kind of tinkered with toys to try and make them come to life,” he said.
Sometimes his fascination with special effects was risky.
“I did dangerous things such as building a volcano when I was nine years old,” Shuman said.
He also recalled building inter-backyard missiles when he was young and getting into trouble with his mother.
Schuman has been creating visual effects for films for 25 years.
Schuman has loved creating special effects for movies ever since he entered the industry.
He has been in show business since he was 15-years-old. Although his passion has always been colaborating the lighting for movies, he started his career in theater.
“I was in theater for 12 years,” Schuman said.
He received his Master’s of Fine Arts at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in technical theater design.
But his budget was tight. “I gravitated to cinematography from theater because I needed money,” he explained.
He then transferred to film school. Shuman received his Master’s of Fine Arts in cinematography from the American Film Institute.
It was film school that proved to be his big break. While Schuman was at film school, he met a teacher who mentored him and offered him a job as a camera assistant, he said.
Although Schuman’s heart is in his job, there are definitely complications he faces in the movie industry.
“The most challenging aspect of this business is communicating with the other departments and getting my intention clear,” he said.
Schuman gave a little word of advice for those who want to follow in his footsteps.
“Learn all you can and observe nature,” he said. “Be persistent, it’s hard to get in,” he added. Tell A Friend
