Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1079787
D E PA R T M E N T 17 KEYFRAME brought in to Wild Canary Animation to work on the pilot for Miles from Tomorrowland and currently is working on The Rocketeer. While photography has always been hobby, Berden fell into collecting cameras by accident. Arriving in Los Angeles with only two suitcases, he needed something to decorate his sparse apartment, so he bought a few cameras. That was 21 years ago and now his collection is up to 350 cameras. "It's kind of fun to look at my collection while I work," he says, adding that the shelves and cameras help to create his own space so he can concentrate on what he needs to do. Some of the cameras fit the era of the series he's working on: "When you watch the original Rocketeer movie, you'll see cameras in there that I have [on display]." The first cameras in his collection were movie cameras—Bolexes, like the ones he used in animation school to make his first films, which he started collecting with the idea of using them in his craft. He is fascinated by the evolution of the camera and the many different designs. In rare instances, he's even found undeveloped film left behind in the cameras. "I get it developed and then I see photos from 50, 60 years ago—that nobody had ever seen before—not even the person who took the photos," he says. He loves the mystery, thinking about why this camera was put aside and the film never developed. "It's pretty exciting to see the photos that come out of it," he says. Among the found film he's developed are pictures from a bridal shower, circa 1960s. And he wonders if he'll perhaps stumble across a camera with undeveloped film that will solve a murder mystery. Besides his camera display, Berden's cube is set up to maximize efficiency. He has a specific spot for his Wacom pen. "If you put it down on the table, which is black, you can never find it again," he says. He also made some smaller shelves for notebooks and stationery so that they are in easy reach. Among his co-workers Berden is known not only for his camera collection, but also for his Belgian waffles which he brings in to work to share with colleagues, something he's done at every studio he's worked at. "Everybody hates to see me go because they know they'll lose the waffles," he says. Some who notice his camera collection have commented that this habit of collecting old cameras might be a problem. Berden's wry retort is that they have a problem because they don't collect old cameras. He's also quick to point out that the cameras are not just there for decoration—he actually uses them. He loves the analog aspect of film photography as well as having a hobby that doesn't involve sitting in front of a computer. Luckily, film is still readily available for most cameras and he'd like to eventually develop his own negatives. When he takes cameras out on shoots, people often ask about the archaic gadgets. "They've never seen anything like it before," he laughs. Berden sees old cameras as being part of the family, chronicling important life moments, and finds it sad when people get rid of them. He suggests that rather than throw it away they should give it to someone who can appreciate it. Perhaps someone like Berden, who is still adding to his collection. —Karen Briner S PA C E I N VA D E R S SPRING 2019 17