What is it when you get that light/prism effect in film?

[rijir2001]

What is the official name of the effect you get in film where the camera is directed at a bright light source and you get that prism effect as a result of the multiple lenses in the camera?

I remember reading somewhere years ago that in early days of film the effect was considered a "bad" shot. But it later became an acceptable cinema effect. And I believe it was named after someone.

Anyone know??

[guns1inger]

Mostly it is simply referred to as 'lens flare' - see here -> http://homepage.newschool.edu/~schlemoj/film_courses/glossary_of_film_terms/glossary.html#l

The only name I know of that is often associated with it is John Knoll, who is an effects artist (ex-ILM I believe) whose synthetic flares set the standard for such work.