Super 8 on the Eighth: Test

Super8 Test from Chelsea Wayant on Vimeo.

This is the first time that I have used my Super 8 video transfer system. Knowing this first project would be more of a test I shot old barns and fields in and around Guilford County, NC. There is no story, but instead images that I felt would benefit the Super 8 format. The reel is presented as shot with no editing. I also included the projector sound and some leader and tail to give the feeling of watching footage projected on the wall.

The main issue with the transfer system is that it is overexposing the footage. As is always the case the reel looks better projected than digitized, but I'm hoping to get more detail in the bright areas in my next attempt.  Even with the less than ideal transfer I believe this test still captures some the warmth and inviting nature of Super 8 film.

Polaroids and Super 8 Transfers

I have really grand plans of posting Super 8 footage on the eighth of every month. Today is supposed to be the first day, but I am having a little transferring problem. I shot some footage almost three weeks ago and it looks really good when projected on the living room wall. Of course now I just need to work on getting the footage digitized, which inevitably loses some of the wonderful quality of a projected image.

Awhile back I was able to find a fairly new (considering it is from the 1980s) Super 8 transfer system at the Goodwill for five dollars. When I first opened it I found the above cat Polaroid (isn't it sweet?). Thought I would share that with you now and hopefully will have some Super 8 footage for you shortly. It may be a little overexposed, but maybe that will only add to its charm?

Mojitos for a Hot Day

Today the thermometer is threatening triple digits. It's making me want to make these mojitos again to help cool down.

Yesterday, I found out today that one of my students, who graduated in May, was accepted into graduate film school. Check out some of her work here, here and here. I make a cameo in the latter, Bills, Bills, Bills video; see if you can pick me out. It is also my daughter's all time favorite music video and it really is an excellent, fun to watch piece.

Photos from the Past: Drowning Slowly

I have been trying to organize all of my photos and negatives into some cohesive storage system. In the past photo albums have not been successful; mostly because they don't have a place for negatives, but also the labeling that they require makes the task seem monumental.

My organizing turns into more of an opportunity to peruse photographs. Recently, I found these publicity photos for Drowning Slowly a narrative feature that I finished about a year ago. Though it didn't show it a lot of festivals it did win Best Narrative Feature at the Ava Gardner Film Festival last November. These stills were never used so I thought I would share some of them here.

The actors shown here are Akasha Fielding (top) and Kendel Colbie Scott (bottom).

Class Canceled for the Holiday!

We have just returned from a July Fourth getaway in Asheville. I'm tired from the trip and won't be able to post a movie critique. Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday and/or enjoyed their weekend.

Before we left we received a delivery from Dwaynes Photo that included lots of fun stuff. I am very excited about the above photos that we took with my grandmother's old Kodak Duaflex. My sister had used it once before and her photos had too many light leaks. My husband and I trekked down to the arboretum to take a test roll and I am very excited about how they turned out. Can't wait to use it again.

Flip'n Friday: Monday Night Pottery

Today I am not going to post a video shot on the flip camera. I have needed to make a trailer for a documentary that I have just finished for the past couple weeks so I dedicated this week to completing it. Monday Night Pottery is a cinema verite film that documents a pottery class over a two month session. Here is the synopsis of the film:

In the tradition of Wiseman and the Brothers Maysles, this film explores a group of local amateur potters who meet every week as a haphazard, yet loving community of artists. 

Enjoy!



Monday Night Pottery Trailer from Chelsea Wayant on Vimeo.

Beginning Filmmaking

Editing Rain last Thursday made me think of my beginning filmmaking professor, Mrs. Robinson, yes, that was really her name. Since we were all film students we of course (more specifically the boys in class, so all the students except me) were super sensitive to calling out her name, there was a lot of, "umm, uhh, Mrs, umm, Robinson..."

The class focused entirely on experimental filmmaking (check out this, this, and this) and by the end of the class I was worried I had made a huge mistake in choosing my life's path. For my final film I was "adapting" a Jim Morrison poem and I had created a slight narrative path. Narrative films often rely on certain shots to tell the story; imagine The Graduate without Ben and Elaine on the bus at the end. Whole different movie.

Anyway, one or two reels of the film did not turn out and needless to say they contained the most important shots. I went to Mrs. Robinson, near tears, imploring to her that I could not make my film. She asked me if some reels turned out, I nodded. She told me I had a film, it wasn't exactly what I planned, but to remember the films make themselves and not the other way around. So I went back looked at the footage again (and again) until I found the film.

Often I think about this even when I'm not making a film because life is never cut and dry either. The best laid plans...

When I projected my film for the class, still not confident, it didn't help that Mrs. Robinson kept taking her glasses off and rubbing her eyes. I thought she was falling asleep. It turns out she was crying, she even needed a moment when the film was over to compose herself. It was amazing to know I had touched someone so deeply.

My last year of college I wasn't handling criticism well in a video production class and lamented to a fellow student. In disbelief he looked at me and said, "Didn't you make Mrs. Robinson cry? Not many filmmakers can say that."