8mm Forum: good morning (starshine)

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Posted by Clay Smith (Member # 4122) on March 07, 2014, 05:10 PM:

I am very new to this forum and am quite grateful it is available to film enthusiasts. I have been involved in 8mm film since around 1966-'67. At that time, growing up in St. Louis, I had a friend who owned an 8mm camera and who set about making short films. I think we based them all on either James Bond or WW II scenarios. As co-star I died many times, in the most dramatic fashion, falling out of trees, into pools, etc. Haven't seen those since (Mike Carroll, are you out there?). In the late 70's and early 80's, I bought my own camera and began making claymation (yes, I know) and some art film stuff, none of it too memorable. I am still in awe of what counterparts in Berlin were doing with Super 8 around the same time. I was also vocalist in a San Francisco band in the early 80's . That was the SF Art Institute crowd. Our light show at performances was our Super 8 films projected onto us with a white canvas backdrop. We were quite the psychedelic art punks.
My career veered way off into the forest, literally, as I became a Park Ranger. I gave up film making for about twenty years but with the advent of digital (gasp) I was able to afford to get back into claymation in varying degrees. With retirement looming, I am hoping to get back into Super 8 animation. (nest egg,what nest egg?) In the meantime, late at night, in short intervals what with kids and all, we screen wonderful Super 8/8mm celluloid motion pictures upon the inner garage wall. Great classics, documentaries, sports, travel, art, I am still facinated with all of it. Am lucky too to have Gerald nearby running the Berkeley Underground Film Society on Sat. and Sunday evenings. The screenings from his collection are incredible and I try to make it over there when I can.
The kids don't share the same passion now that they are teenagers and are glued to I-Phones but that can always change. Right? I mean, how else could one watch The Red Balloon?
Anyway, I certainly enjoy reading all of the posts and learning more about film from all of you.
Thank you, Clay Smith

[ October 14, 2014, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Clay Smith ]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on March 07, 2014, 05:41 PM:

Welcome Clay [Smile]

sound like you have had an interesting life and hope you enjoy getting back into doing a bit of film making.

Graham. [Smile]

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on March 07, 2014, 09:20 PM:

Welcome Aboard the SS Celluloid, Clay!

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on March 07, 2014, 11:08 PM:

A hardy welcome Clay from your neighbor film enthusiast in the South Bay [Smile]

I've never made it up to Berkeley to see Gerald's screenings...but I know he's got an extensive collection. Please tell him I say hi the next time you see him [Smile]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 08, 2014, 01:25 PM:

Welcome Clay!!!

I should hope that you will find this place a wealth of cine info!

Posted by Clay Smith (Member # 4122) on March 09, 2014, 08:29 PM:

Thank you Graham, Brad, Osi and Janice (I'll say hi for you when I see Gerald). All very gracious of you. - Clay

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