The discussion of shooting in negatives vs. shooting digital is a futile exercise; let’s face it, the latter is the more convenient and more economical way to shoot films. There is, however, a sense of discipline completely lost with favoring bits of memory over rolls of celluloid. With film being the more expensive method, it enforces a closer attention to the craft, whereas shooting digital allows being able to hold virtually infinite bytes of memory, it affords the filmmaker an unlimited number of screwing up.
With this said, there’s no denying the beauty of film, a “depth” that digital cannot afford. This explains why many filmmakers still favor shooting on film. Some make film seem like the pragmatic choice (James Gray shot his 2013 film The Immigrant on 35mm), while some make it ostensibly cosmetic (as in Ti West’s gorgeous period occult horror The House Of The Devil). Local indie cinema also saw in Timmy Harn’s Ang Pagbabalat Ng Ahas (Eng. Reptilia in Suburbia) a painstaking recreation of the late 80’s film/early 90’s underground video look.
Realistically, there’s little need to shoot on Super 8, but hey, if the story calls for it, right? Sarah Jacobson’s astounding 1998 feature, Mary Jane’s Not a Virgin Anymore, is shot entirely on Super 8 film. Sarah Polley’s deeply affecting home movie-doc Stories We Tell is also shot on Super 8. Both films I doubt I’ll appreciate more if not for the use of the 8mm.
Simon Code (of the YouTube channel “DSLR Guide”) has recently uploaded a video demonstrating the basics of shooting on Super 8 film. Do take a look at the video below. It’s pretty sparse but does the job of helping you get started with shooting.
Here are some takeaways from the video:
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♦ Finding a Super 8 camera isn’t as difficult as one might think: a quick classifieds search will turn up some good deals. Make sure that the camera has a motor that runs smoothly, shoots 24 frames per second, and has manual exposure. A Super 8 camera will set you back around $70 (in peso that’s about 3,000 – 4,000).
♦ Find a compatible film stock. This is where it gets expensive. A 50-foot cartridge of film will allow for up to 3.5 minutes of recording time. Said cartridge costs about half of the cost of the camera itself.
♦ When using daylight stock, set the camera to “tungsten”.
♦ When focusing, zoom all the way in, and adjust the focus ring until the subject is sharp. Zoom out and frame as desired.
♦ Most Super 8 cameras have automatic metering for exposure, but if you don’t want the exposure to change while filming, flip the exposure lock.
♦ The rule of thumb: it’s okay to overexpose rather than underexpose as the latter will ruin the footage with noise.
♦ You’re now set to shoot. Go out and film.
♦ Some Super 8’s doesn’t record sound, so if the project requires it, sound will have to be recorded separately.
♦ After filming, send your reel to a processing studio and have it digitized. This will set you back approximately 2,500 PHP.
The Super 8 look is distinct enough it validates this rather laborious process. If, however, time is not on your side, I urge you to check out an iOS app called 8mm Vintage Camera ($.1.99), which emulates the look strikingly. The music video for Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Run Away With Me” is shot entirely on an iPhone using the app.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeccAtqd5K8
