Filmmakers working in Super 8mm?

[Douglas Meltzer]

This was originally brought up in a thread about the upcoming CineSea gathering. I've moved those posts to this new thread, dedicated to the title subject.

[Robert Dreyer]

Being in America, I am interested in knowing if there are serious S-8 filmmakers doing full feature films for production. Is there such a thing or is S-8 to small of a medium? I have seen the 16mm film festivals here in America. I like the idea of doing a full feature in S-8 to show on a small screen for good practice as well as expense in formulating all the aspects of movie production. Even the thought of having a group at the Cinesea asking another group to film a particular scene to help build a movie as a group effort and show the progress at the next Cinesea. Nothing on Youtube about Cinesea. Sounds like it would be a lot of fun to go to.

[Steve Klare]

Feature filmmaking on Super-8 is a rare thing, but it it has been done and probably still is here and there. It's a labor of love since there are so many easier ways these days. I know of one Super-8 film about CineSea, and it's my own. Then again it is less than 10 minutes long and silent too!

Peter Flynn is making Viva Film!, a professional quality motion picture (digital video) not entirely about CineSea, but featuring it prominently.

Peter Flynn at CineSea

We got to see the latest cut of it at the last one and it was really great. I hope to be able to see this one on my own screen someday.

There are actually a lot of YouTube videos about CineSea.

[Douglas Meltzer]

Robert,

I personally don't know of any Super 8 features currently in production. 16mm yes, but not its little brother. A number of music "videos" are filmed in Super 8.

In his thread about CineSea 25, Steve linked to these two videos, basically short interview pieces that use the CineSea show for b-roll:

VIVA FILM! Geoffrey Curtis at CineSea

VIVA FILM! Stu Fink

[Shane C. Collins]

Being in America, I am interested in knowing if there are serious S-8 filmmakers doing full feature films for production. Is there such a thing or is S-8 to small of a medium? I have seen the 16mm film festivals here in America. I like the idea of doing a full feature in S-8 to show on a small screen for good practice as well as expense in formulating all the aspects of movie production. Even the thought of having a group at the Cinesea asking another group to film a particular scene to help build a movie as a group effort and show the progress at the next Cinesea. Nothing on Youtube about Cinesea. Sounds like it would be a lot of fun to go to.

There are still some independent films being shot on Super 8. Here's one example of a film recently shot on Kodak Vision 3 50D negative Super 8. The movie is called "DEAD COMMUNITY GUILD". The producer's name is Emil Ink. The final digital copy has had a lot of stabilization, and other upgrades to make it look this good, but the entire movie was shot on Super 8. Also I read that the latest Spielberg movie has scenes shot with Kodak Super 8. I'm told Kodak has had a difficult time keeping up with the demand for Super 8 film. Both negative and color reversal stocks. I use Ektachrome color reversal for home movies, and sometimes it's sold out at various places I buy it from. I project only so no telecine on my end, making filming much cheaper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GzouxGNOK4

[Robert Dreyer]

Shane,

I am impressed that there are films being made in S-8. In my High School years, I had a very good friend who loved filmmaking and grew up doing film work as a living. He is the one that videotaped the infamous Mt.St. Helens eruption as it occurred. He made the following trailer while living in the Pacific NW and in 16mm. He is a fantastic filmmaker. I think if he had the right team, He would develop another Hollywood in Washington State. He inspired me to stay in filmmaking. I have progressed to 16mm getting a camera, 4 gang editing table and a projector. I still love 8mm to still work with exposure readings. I believe that digital is getting pretty good but enjoy the process of editing film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJrY8ee2ll8

[Robert Dreyer]

Have any of you guys used or are familiar with using TV lenses for 16mm cameras? I see advertised on ebay a Computar TV lens f1.2/12.5-75mm zoom Great price and advertised as a lens for a Bolex. I have not seen anything on Youtube with anyone using a TV lens on a Bolex Rex series camera. There was one showing the footage from a digital 16 not a regular 16. I mean absolutely nothing. I have a Rex 5 and want to try to use a TV lens but wanted to get some feed back regarding clarity, full range in focus, depth of field etc. I don't use the 8mm forum that much due to other life issues. But hope to get more serious in film making. I was able to get my Elmo S-8 projector to work with sound with your guys help and the technician I went to. I love that there are guys like you out there with this knowledge about film work and can assist anyone in this hobby, soooooo...don't let me down.

[Rob Young]

Robert, as a broadcast lighting camera operator, oddly, only the other day I had a discussion with a colleague regarding the use of super 8 within a new documentary.

Maybe not too odd, as I'm known for my passion of film and super 8 especially.

The result was that having explained the options, risks, and COST, we both agreed it was a no go.

They will be shooting mock up 8mm 70's footage on a DSLR with post-production grain, film movement, etc. added.

I have to say that I cannot disagree. I would have loved to shoot super 8 for them.

But, we discussed the latest Kodak super 8 camera and the price, plus the price of film and scanning, waiting times, risk, etc.

As far as professional use goes...sadly, I see super 8 dead in the water.

Sad, very sad, as someone who grew up as a kid making movies on super 8.

The new Kodak camera is a joke at the price and professionals cannot relay upon 40 year old equipment that has not been expertly serviced.

If you look up the recent feature film, "The Black Phone", you will see that it did indeed use super 8 to capture certain sequences. So, yes, arguably, super 8 is still used in Hollywood. Interesting that the Director of Photography is said to have used it to give a rather unsettling 70's look. Maybe that's why, despite my own huge enthusiasm for this, when I did post previously upon the use of super 8 in a contemporary feature film absolutely no one replied.

[Douglas Meltzer]

Robert,

Specifically to the lens you mentioned, it is a varifocal zoom, so that the focus changes as you zoom in or out. I'm used to working with varifocal Canons on a full frame 6K sensor camera, but if I was using a Bolex viewfinder I'd like to have the option of zooming in to check focus.

I do like that this lens open up to 1.2, however I believe this is a 2/3" lens so I'm concerned that it might not cover the entire 16mm frame. There might be vignetting (or worse!) at some point in the zoom range.

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Maybe the largest S8-production in the USA in the last years (with the second season being also partially shot on S8):
https://www.pro8mm.com/blogs/blog/wi...now-on-hbo-max

[Robert Dreyer]

Thank You for the responses, I did not spend much on two lenses. One being the Computar with the f1.2 and the other a Sony zoom with a f1.8. I may have issues connecting to Bolex 1 inch (25.4mm) camera mount. I heard that the threads if too deep may interfere with the shutter. Not exactly sure what that means in the sense of if it will not function properly or if may actually do damage to my camera or both. Thank you for the input.

[Rob Young]

It must be great to have a facility like pro8

Sadly here in the UK we have nothing like that.

[Joerg Polzfusz]

On8mil?

[Rob Young]

Never used On8mil, but they do seem to offer a professional scanning service.

Problem is still with getting hold of a reliable camera. When I've looked they offer a 16mm camera for rental, but I've not seen a super 8 one.

The current super 8 camera listed for sale is "out of stock".

Has anyone here used On8mil? Any idea how much they charge for scanning?