by Norton Folgate
Hollywood came to Frankford Friends School in Northeast Philadelphia last week, in the person of Actor and Producer Paradox Pollack.
Paradox has worked directly with some of the biggest names in film including actors Robin Williams, Will Smith,and Tom Hiddleston, as well as directors JJ Abrams and Kenneth Branagh. His main work is as the fight choreographer and movement director for films featuring aliens and monsters, including Star Trek, I am Legend, and Thor.
He has also created shows for Cirque Du Soleil and is currently devising the fight choreography for Batgirl.
Mr. Pollack showed the fifth grade class at Frankford Friends clips from his films to illustrate how the movements of the live actors are linked to computer graphics to create special effects.
“Science and technology is an important part of our program,” explained fifth grade teacher Jonathan Clifton. ” Paradox was able to show the students how that technology was used to create some of their favorite film sequences.”
Students became actors too, as Paradox Pollack rehearsed them and then filmed them in some action scenes.
“They all agreed it was very hard work,” said Mr. Clifton, “But it gave them a new appreciation of the self-discipline and concentration required to get the perfect shot.”
Frankford Friends School is a pre-K thru Grade 8 school in NE Philadelphia.
