editing super 8

Post by **Angus** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:07 pm

Yeah editing in camera is fun. Even though I enjoy cut and splice editing I do try to edit in camera - if nothing else you save heaps of money on film!

Post by **mattias** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:14 pm

i use guillotine splicers in 16 mm, but for super 8 i rely on an agfa automatic. anyone saying the ciro is the easiest to use simply hasn't tried the agfa.

and yes, i can confirm that scissors and tape works too. i also started out that way as a kid back in the early 80's, before i got lost to computers and video cameras and until i discovered film, and viewers and splicers, again in '94.

/matt

Post by **S8 Booster** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:23 pm

I agree on the Agfa.

It is my favourite.

When I edit the real film it is so fast and easy to use that even I :roll: can keep the momentum. The cutting mecanism is adjustable to match the actual frameline so it will cut it precise whatever camera used.

R

Post by **fritzcarraldo** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:18 am

CHAS wrote:
fritzcarraldo wrote: But i repeat, with hands scissors and simple tape it's possible to edit with excellent results, i have films edited 4 years ago, projected more than 30 times and still great, never broke, of course they have some scratches, but they are o.k.
How do you make splices with ordinary tape? How do you deal with the sprocket hole issue? How do you make sure the two pieces of film are held down and level?

Well i made the holes with a needle, or a small knife, it's easy, about the level it's also easy, if you cut the two pieces of film correctly, you can get them leveled with no problem, it's a pity i can't show my results on web, you wouldn't tell the difference.

Post by **fritzcarraldo** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:26 am

Ralph S wrote:
CHAS wrote: How do you make splices with ordinary tape? How do you deal with the sprocket hole issue? How do you make sure the two pieces of film are held down and level?
It's crude and it's not for permanent splices, but works for emergency repairs.
Hold the two pieces of film together overlapping and making sure the sprockets are aligned. Then cut both at the same time with the scissors on the frame line (half way between the sprockets). Then stick a piece of tape on the end of one film, put the other film against it on the tape. Wrap the tape around and trim the excess tape. Don't worry about the sprocket holes - the projector will punch the holes through the tape.

The Ciro Guillotine splicer is definitely the best and easiest to use tape splicer. And it doesn't cover the sound stripe area so the film can still be striped.

Try editing on film. It's a great part of the experience. I teach a filmmaking workshop and most of my students edit on film. Some people are afraid to make the first cuts but once they get started they love it. I like to do as much as possible without a computer. People do so much stuff on computers it's a refreshing experience to do something the manual way.

Well, actually i think it's the most fun way of editing film, i've just did it recently when i was giving a workshop in Brasil, where i had no editing equipment at hand. I have many films edited like that and they've lasted for more than 3 years in dozens of projections, and you wouldn't tell the difference. But you know, it's always a matter of sensibility, i have a friend that can pick up milimetric pieces with his hand and assemble them easily, in a camera, he fixes film cameras. Each people has different hands, different tastes.

Resuming, it's possible to edit in super8 in many ways, even with some scissors and normal tape.

After all, isn't that the greatest advantage of super8, the simple mechanics and handling?

I think it is.

Post by **fritzcarraldo** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:31 am

Oh, i usually cut it between the holes, right in the middle, and i don't edit it putting one part above the other part of film, i simply adjust them manually, it takes a firm hand.

Oh, yes, sometimes i loose my patience, that's why i got myself a AGFA.

But to be sincere, i'v made many better cuts than the machine, there were times when i even watched the perfection of the cuts with a magnifiing glass. When they weren't perfect, i would "sacrifice" another frame.

I know that sounds crazy, but that's my super8 experiences...

Post by **fritzcarraldo** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:37 am

Well, i'll try to upload a film of mine one of this days, the problem is that i haven't got a dv camera, and my projectors are all in repair, i need belts for my elmo, a full repair for my sankyo, and my little bolex only projects at 18fps.

Well, many problems.

And i must be sincere, i dont' know where to upload the film, where could i get the sufficient space? Well, i've never tried doing it, but i suppose i'll need about 20mb for a 10min. film, no?