Hello:
I wanted to shoot a shortfilm in Super 8. I was going to buy a camera (Beaulieu 6008 or 7008). Then I would transfer the shortfilm and edit it with an Avid.
I have spoken with several people that has not recommended it to me, because they say that it costs much money, that it would have no quality, that is better to record in digital Betacam or Minidv, that the film loses quality in the transfer.
That it has discouraged me much, and I would like to ask the people of the forum what thinks on this.
Is it profitable to buy a Super 8 camera and film a shortfilm with it?
I live in Spain and there are very few sites (I do not know any) that do a professional transfer.
Is the film transferable if I shoot in 25 Fps? (with crytal syncr)
I wait for your commentaries.
Greetings
Is it profitable to shoot a shortfilm in super 8?
Moderator: Andreas Wideroe
I was in exactly the same situation as you.
I was wanting to shoot a series of short films in Super8 to experiment with filmmaking, but then was put off by the price of film.
My advice, is if you're completely new to filmmaking, is to just experiment with a standard video camera, be it 8mm, Hi8, VHS or whatever. Transfer this onto your computer and practice editing, sound recording and the whole film making process.
Once you're feeling comfortable, maybe shoot a few rolls of Super8 and go through the whole process again. If you're happy with the results, and feel fine with paying the price of film, then continue!
A small tip for when/if you do start filming in Super8:
Plan your shots out. Draw out a short storyboard so that when it comes to shooting, you're not wasting film when you decide that last shot wasn't the angle you wanted.
A bonus of Super8 is the price of cameras. A decent Super 8 camera (Beaulieu 6008, Canon 1014XL, Braun Nizo) will be a fraction of the price a decent DV camera will cost you. Plus I found I learned much more about focus, exposure, DOF etc from using a Super8 camera than I did with using a Hi8 camcoder.
Hope this helps you a little in your decision!
matt
I was wanting to shoot a series of short films in Super8 to experiment with filmmaking, but then was put off by the price of film.
My advice, is if you're completely new to filmmaking, is to just experiment with a standard video camera, be it 8mm, Hi8, VHS or whatever. Transfer this onto your computer and practice editing, sound recording and the whole film making process.
Once you're feeling comfortable, maybe shoot a few rolls of Super8 and go through the whole process again. If you're happy with the results, and feel fine with paying the price of film, then continue!
A small tip for when/if you do start filming in Super8:
Plan your shots out. Draw out a short storyboard so that when it comes to shooting, you're not wasting film when you decide that last shot wasn't the angle you wanted.
A bonus of Super8 is the price of cameras. A decent Super 8 camera (Beaulieu 6008, Canon 1014XL, Braun Nizo) will be a fraction of the price a decent DV camera will cost you. Plus I found I learned much more about focus, exposure, DOF etc from using a Super8 camera than I did with using a Hi8 camcoder.
Hope this helps you a little in your decision!
matt
what do you mean by profitable? if you are expecting to make money by shooting shorts then chances are slim :-) but im thinking thats not what you meant.
overall Super8 is better quality than MiniDV, that is my opinion and backed up by some technical data, but the decision really comes down to what look you want.
film is more expensive than tape, but if you are just planning on shooting some shorts then you could actually spend less shooting super8 then by buying a miniDV camera. Plus the resale value for Super8 equipment is much higher and it will not be replaced by some newer model that will make it obsolute almost as soon as you buy it as with video cameras. plus the only way to get the features you can find on super8 cameras(full manual controls, ability to under or overcrank, etc....) in a video camera is to spend a LOT of money.
I would recommend getting a cheap Super8 camera, shooting some film and seeing if you like it before you jump in and spend the money on a beaulieu, they are really nice cameras and worth the money I am sure, but I would recommend saving your money until you are sure it is the right format for you.
~Jess
overall Super8 is better quality than MiniDV, that is my opinion and backed up by some technical data, but the decision really comes down to what look you want.
film is more expensive than tape, but if you are just planning on shooting some shorts then you could actually spend less shooting super8 then by buying a miniDV camera. Plus the resale value for Super8 equipment is much higher and it will not be replaced by some newer model that will make it obsolute almost as soon as you buy it as with video cameras. plus the only way to get the features you can find on super8 cameras(full manual controls, ability to under or overcrank, etc....) in a video camera is to spend a LOT of money.
I would recommend getting a cheap Super8 camera, shooting some film and seeing if you like it before you jump in and spend the money on a beaulieu, they are really nice cameras and worth the money I am sure, but I would recommend saving your money until you are sure it is the right format for you.
~Jess
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avortex
Well,...
Projected super-8 is sharp, but when transferred to video it turns very softer and grainy. I think this look is very cool (I really love it!) but it's not what people intend as "professional look". MiniDV with a Cinelook filter can look like film and has a very pro look to offer you for a very few inversion: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY THE CAMERA, JUST RENT IT FOR A WEEKEND. Really, if you don't have a Workprinter, Rank sessions are expensive and you can't have any control over your final image. Otherwise, if you think the look of Super8 transferred to video is good for your film, then use it. It's a very nice texture.
Si quieres más información me escribes. Nosotros rodamos un proyecto hace poco en Super 8 y te puedo mandar instantáneas, etc...
Projected super-8 is sharp, but when transferred to video it turns very softer and grainy. I think this look is very cool (I really love it!) but it's not what people intend as "professional look". MiniDV with a Cinelook filter can look like film and has a very pro look to offer you for a very few inversion: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY THE CAMERA, JUST RENT IT FOR A WEEKEND. Really, if you don't have a Workprinter, Rank sessions are expensive and you can't have any control over your final image. Otherwise, if you think the look of Super8 transferred to video is good for your film, then use it. It's a very nice texture.
Si quieres más información me escribes. Nosotros rodamos un proyecto hace poco en Super 8 y te puedo mandar instantáneas, etc...
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Fifth Beatle
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed May 01, 2002 7:05 am
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Contact:
So, if you're saying you don't have a super-8 camera yet, and would have to buy one, then I suppose it could get somewhat expensive, depending on the camera you wanted. (Beaulieus cost an arm and a leg, for example.) But as far as film and processing, I have decided that it's not entirely that expensive. We've had discussions on here before about how you can acquire the cheapest film and mailers.
Ultimately, I prefer film for this reason: it forces you to be at your best. All the time. You have to prepare ahead of time, during, and after a shot is done. It's very meticulous, but it's good practice. Whereas with video or DV or whatever, you can just shoot and shoot and shoot. It produces way too much footage - it would be boring for me to have to review it all. And the final takes would be much looser in my opinion, because there would be no sense of urgency.
Oh, well. I've rambled enough, lol.
~5B
Ultimately, I prefer film for this reason: it forces you to be at your best. All the time. You have to prepare ahead of time, during, and after a shot is done. It's very meticulous, but it's good practice. Whereas with video or DV or whatever, you can just shoot and shoot and shoot. It produces way too much footage - it would be boring for me to have to review it all. And the final takes would be much looser in my opinion, because there would be no sense of urgency.
Oh, well. I've rambled enough, lol.
~5B
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Artagnan
Más información Super 8
Aupa:
Mi correo es artagnan@telefonica.net. Me escribes o me mandas todo lo que puedas. Estoy muy interesado en el Super 8. Muchas gracias.
Mi correo es artagnan@telefonica.net. Me escribes o me mandas todo lo que puedas. Estoy muy interesado en el Super 8. Muchas gracias.
avortex wrote:Well,...
Projected super-8 is sharp, but when transferred to video it turns very softer and grainy. I think this look is very cool (I really love it!) but it's not what people intend as "professional look". MiniDV with a Cinelook filter can look like film and has a very pro look to offer you for a very few inversion: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY THE CAMERA, JUST RENT IT FOR A WEEKEND. Really, if you don't have a Workprinter, Rank sessions are expensive and you can't have any control over your final image. Otherwise, if you think the look of Super8 transferred to video is good for your film, then use it. It's a very nice texture.
Si quieres más información me escribes. Nosotros rodamos un proyecto hace poco en Super 8 y te puedo mandar instantáneas, etc...