Magic Lantern

January 29, 2021

Presenters

Terry Borton

Terry Borton, is a fourth-generation lanternist who grew up watching magic-lantern shows as a child.

Before devoting full-time to the magic lantern, Borton had a wide background in the modern media, including fifteen years as Editor in Chief of the children’s newspaper, Weekly Reader.

Borton holds a doctorate in education from Harvard University.

Erkki Huhtamo

Erkki Huhtamo works as a professor at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Departments of Design Media Arts, and Film, Television, and Digital Media. He received his Ph.D. in cultural history from the University of Turku, Finland. Huhtamo is an internationally renowned media historian and theorist, and also a specialist in the history and aesthetics of media arts. He is one of the founders of an emerging approach to media studies known as media archaeology.

What To Expect

The magic lantern is an early type of image projector that used pictures—paintings, prints, or photographs—on transparent plates, one or more lenses, and a light source. It was mostly developed in the 17th century and commonly used for entertainment purposes. Thanks to the passion and dedication of The American Magic Lantern Theatre, your students will now get to enjoy a show and learn about this historical entertainment system in this colorful and fascinating learning stream.

This webinar event starts with a 15 minute or so presentation by Professor Huhtamo. This quick run through about 150 years of magic lantern history gives a good foundation of its evolution. Thomas Edison’s first motion picture projector made significant use of the magic lantern.

Then it’s Terry’s turn – first with a pre-recorded magic lantern show and then finishing with a live demonstration and Q&A chat. Your student will be thoroughly entertained and educated and we know that you, being the great home-schooling parent that you are, will figure out many ways to use this for follow-on assignments for your student.

Recommended Audience
This will probably be enjoyed most by students in grades 4-12. Like many of our programs, however, adults of all ages have told us how much they have enjoyed Terry’s presentation.

January Special
Guests pay the Members price of $10 when registering by January 25, 2021!

Other Streams

Magic Lantern Theater

Marionettes: Perseus & Medusa

Marionettes: The Dragon King

Native American Indian Series

Shakespeare in England and America

This Stream's Info

Eastern:
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM [-5 UTC]
Central:
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM [-6 UTC]
Mountain:
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM [-7 UTC]
Pacific:
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM [-8 UTC]
Alaska:
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM [-8 UTC]
Hawaii:
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM [-8 UTC]
Ending time is approximate, based on Q&A at the end.

No software to download
Unlike some streaming services, our Learning Stream Platform requires no software to download or install. Simply use your favorite browser. Tablets and mobile phones are also supported.

Collateral Materials
Attendees may download the free Study Guide which includes a bibliography of resources that an interested person can use for further study.

Recorded or Live?
This is a combination Pre-Recorded plus Live Session, with Q&A at the end.

Rewatch
Don’t worry if something comes up and you are unable to attend the Learning Stream presentation in part or in whole:
You may rewatch this Learning Stream presentation up to 7-days after the event date.

Cost:
Members: $10
Guests: $20