09/22/2026
A BIT OF PACIFIC STUDIOS HISTORY - THE OG TRANSLITES
From roughly 1950 through 1979, Pacific Studios in Los Angeles was known as the primary producer of specialized film backings known as Translites.
The original process was highly specialized. Images were projected onto photographic film in strips, processed by hand, assembled and seamed, and then oil-painted to create the finished color effect.
Pacific Studios still has a few of these original hand-painted Translites in its collection — a piece of Hollywood backdrop history. (shown here)
Today, Pacific Studios continues producing Translites using newer digital imaging and printing technology, carrying the tradition of backlit photographic backgrounds into modern production.
