A Double 8mm Nightmare: My First Attempts with Double 8mm

[tfunch24]

Last week, I shot my first roll of Double 8mm. The first time I loaded my roll of film, I was able to do it in complete darkness. However, when the first half of the 25 foot spool had been exposed, I could not find a dark place to change the roll so I was forced to flip the roll in the shade of a tree. Also, the second time around, I did not seat the pressure plate properly, so the film shimmers in some places. Not only did that happen, but the camera went off accidentally, capturing my walk down a hill.

For those curious about shooting double 8mm, here's what can happen if you don't load the film correctly:

http://www.angelfire.com/indie/tfunch24/horror.avi

I telecined this clip with a Moviestuff Video Cinemate 20 at 720 * 480 resolution. I compressed it down to 160 * 120 using Cinepak compression. I made the film size small because of complaints from modem users about the gigantic size of some sample film clips that have been uploaded lately.

I set the fps at 10 fps which is why everybody looks like they chased down three liters of Pepsi with three liters of Mountain Dew followed by a pot of coffee.

Tom

[S8 Booster]

A perfect music video!

You are going to win a Gremlin (S8 filmmakers Grammy)for that.


Just wait until you see my latest DR8 shots when I get the film processed. I bought a Canon Reflex zoom8-3 for 12 USD with a (wow!) halfshot (1/4) film in it. Never seen a DR8 cam before and I opened the film door of course, several times of course, took the midway shot film out several times of course, flipped the film in daylight of course (you are supposted to be able to turn the film in subdued daylight I think) . I believe I beat you but who knows?


R

[tfunch24]

You probably did beat me but I only used the most salvageable parts of the reel. I estimate that about eight meters or so out of the fifteen meters I shot came out blank.

What makes you think it's a perfect music video? The grungy look?

Please show us your results when your film comes back.

Tom

[S8 Booster]

You probably did beat me but I only used the most salvageable parts of the reel. I estimate that about eight meters or so out of the fifteen meters I shot came out blank.

What makes you think it's a perfect music video? The grungy look?

Please show us your results when your film comes back.

Tom

We will have to compare when I get my film back to see which one is the winner. We´ll have to make poll on this site?


The "music video" - not the "GRUNGY" look.

I do not watch them a lot but apparently many 8mm style music videos have "scores"! not up to the one you posted here. Try to add some rock/pop music you like to it just for fun. You might be surprised.

I did that on some S8 films in the past when I had no time to sound edit them properly. The films were never intended for music videos. Too often they came out "very good", almost perfect accidentially, timing and all .

Time consumption is a problem but I might post a S8 sample later.

R

[Regular 8 Freak]

What type of film stock did you use ? You know there is a certain amount of lead film at the start, middle, and end of every roll so the film isn't as sensitive to light sources. I think back in the day labs used to cut those parts out for you but these days they leave it there you have to edit it out yourself. I have flipped film in just shade before and usually get that orange type fog I saw in your clip, that bugs me to no end, although sometimes it comes out kind of cool depending on the scene. Regular 8 film will jam in the film gate if not seated properly, taking it out or opening the door when that happens will fog the film, be careful. All in all I thought your footage came out nice.

[tfunch24]

I shot Cinechrome 25 last week and another roll tonight. I'll have that back from Dwayne's later this week--Friday, most likely.

This time I flipped the film over inside my jean jacket.

Also, I finished principal photography on my latest project tonight. Next week I can start editing.

Tom

[Regular 8 Freak]

Have you considered purchasing a changing bag? I have been thinking about it for a while now. :?:

[David M. Leugers]

Maybe I can help a little with the learning curve we all go through when first using the venerable R-8mm film. When loading the camera (including flipping it over for the second pass) always keep the film tight against the reel with your hand. Do not let the film unwind or you will get edge exposure on the underlying film. It is important to be swift in the loading process, but it is much more important to be accurate in the loading. Always run the camera to insure the film is loaded properly and the film is being taken up by the take-up reel before putting the lid on. When I load a camera, I take the lid off the camera and prepare to load before opening the film container. Then I remove the lid from the filmcontainer which is in my left hand and then cover the container with my right hand. I turn the container upside down allowing the film reel to rest in my right hand and remove the container with my left hand. I engulf the reel with my right hand and turn my hand over to protect the film from the light. I remove about 1 foot of film from the reel with my left hand while keeping the reel of film palmed with my right hand. I attach the end of the film to the take-up reel and then place it in the camera. I thread the film in the camera in reverse so that the last step is to place the full reel on the supply spindle. I quickly run the camera briefly to make sure the film is seated in the gate properly and the film is being taken up. Place the lid on the camera and shoot. The Bolex and other self-threading cameras are a breeze, just keep the film tight against the reel when placing it on the supply spindle and threading and you're in business. I have shot tons of film with many different R-8mm cameras in bright daylight using only the shade from my body (well, I have a lot of shade ) without edge fogging the footage. With practice it is easy. The more you get to know your camera, the easier it becomes. Also, the "leader" is just extra film that is sacrificed for threading and does not count towards expected footage. Unfortunately, the Cinechrome 25ft loads do not have the usual extra 3ft of film on each end and you end up with less than 50 ft of usable footage. Careful loading of the Fomapan rolls can give you more than 50ft of useable footage, but do not shoot important scenes at the beginning or end of the roll just in case. Higher speed films require more careful loading to avoid light from ruining some of your footage. Good luck and keep shooting.

[RPBennett]

I got back into 8mm moviemaking 2 years ago, during which I learned about the status of the filmstock. I think we all agree that the absence of the loading leader is a problem. At least we know that Fomapan R100 has it.