Revel-8 Super 8 Film Fest Help Guide 2017
Introduction
Thisshortself-helpguideisdesignedtoprovidesomehandyhintsfortheRevel-8Super8film
festival.There’snosubstituteforabitofpractice,whetheryou’reafirst-timerorcomingback
tothemediumafterabreak.Itotallyrecommendbuyingteststockandgettingsomepracticein
beforegettingstartedonyoursinglecartridge,edited-in-cameramasterpiece.
WorkingonSuper8isgreatfunandfilmingsilentgivesthedirectorthechancetodirect(loudly)
duringeachshot.Getstartednow!
Contents
CompetitionAdvice 2
GettingtheCameraReady
3
ShootingonLocation 4
UsingKodak’sTri-XBlackandWhiteFilm
5
WheretoGetWhatYouNeed
6
MoreInformation:UsefulResources
7
[email protected]
Revel-8Super8FilmFestHelpGuide
AllmaterialscopyrightKeithSmith2017
1
Competition Advice
1. Theme:“Magic”–thisthemeiswideopenandcanbeinterpretedinsomanyways.Remember,though,ifyou’re
makinganarrativefilm,thereneedstobeastorywecanfollowandunderstand.Thinkaboutwhatother
filmmakersmightdoandtrysomethingdifferent-makeyourideastandout!
2. LoosenuptheFilmCartridge:Super8filmscomealongwaytogettoAustralia.Sometimesthefilmbindsup
insidethecartridgeandwon’tstart!Givethecartridgealightshakeorarapwiththebackofthehandbefore
inserting.Checkthatthefilmadvanceindicatoronthecameraisturning/moving.
3. EditinginCamera:Thismeansyoumustshootthefilmsequentially,oneshotaftertheother.Ifyou’recrosscuttingbetweenlocations,thiscouldmeanlotsoftravel!Planningisagoodideaandsoisashotlistwhichcanbe
tickedoffasyougo.Don’tworryifyoumessupashot,keepgoing.It’sprettylikelythateveryoneisgoingto
makeamistakesomewherealongtheline.Takenotethatunlikedigitalvideo,there’snostart-uptimeforaSuper
8camera.Whenthetriggerispressed,you’refilmingimmediately!
4. Film5secondsofblackatthebeginning:Blankoffthelenswiththelenscaporapieceofcardboard.Run5
secondsoffilm(count1,2,3,4,5)beforebeginningtheproduction.Thisistomakesurethatthefirstimagesof
yourfilmcomeoutforsure–thelabneedssomefront-endtoworkwith.Thiswillleaveyouwith3.5minutesof
useablefootage–keepaneyeonthecamerafootagecounterastheiraccuracyvaries–it’snormallytouchand
goafter47feet.
5. UseaTrustedCamera:Makesureyourcameraisworkingproperly.Doatestrollbeforehandifinanydoubt.An
‘unknown’cameracanmeanalotofworkfornothing!LoancamerasareavailableforPerthfilmmakers.Contact
usformoredetails.
6. Settingf-stops:Theautomaticexposuremetercanusuallybetrustedformostfilms.SometimesTri-Xcanbea
problem.Usetheguidesuppliedtoset(orcheck)apertures(f-stops)manuallyforTri–Xblackandwhitefilm.
Neversetthef-stopneedleintheviewfindertoapointwhichisrightoffthescale(redzoneateitherend)–this
mightclosetheaperturecompletelysothatyouonlygetblack!
7. Focus:Don’tforgettosettheeyepiecetoyourindividualeyesightorthewholefilmcouldbeoutoffocus.Filming
wideanglebutgettingclosetoyoursubjectgivesthebestdepthoffieldi.e.rangeoffocus.
8. Lens:Keepitcleanandavoidscratchingit!
9. Filmingforvisualinterest:Bedaringinyourcomposition,cameramovementsandcameraangles–givethe
audienceavisualsmorgasbord!
10. Titlesandcredits:Filmingthecomputerscreenisabitchancy–youtendtogetalotofflicker.Beinnovative,doa
bitofresearch–therearemanywaystofilmtitles.
11. Safety:Maintainsafeshootingpracticesatalltimes.It’seasytolosesightofwhatyou’redoingwhenyoureyeis
gluedtothecameraeyepiece.
12. Filminsunlight:Lessimportantforblackandwhitefilms,butsunshinereallybringsthetonesuponcolourfilm.
Reapthebenefitsofabrightday.
13. Don’tremovethefilmuntilyou’resurethecartridgeisfinished:Youwilllosepartofthefilm.Whenfinished,the
word“exposed’appearsinthecartridgegate(whiteletters).
14. Fun:Don’tforgettoenjoyyourselves.Revel-8isaboutparticipationandexploration.Dosomeplanning,takea
momenttocheckthecamerabeforeeachshotanditwillallhappenforyou.
Revel-8Super8FilmFestHelpGuide
AllmaterialscopyrightKeithSmith2017
2
Getting the Camera Ready
1.LoadBatteries
Super 8 cameras usually use between 4 and 6 AA size batteries – alkaline are best, avoid
rechargeables.Becarefultoloadthemtherightwayup(ordown)-thereisoftenadiagraminside
thebatterycompartmentoronthecameracasingorgrip.
2.CheckBatteryCondition
AllSuper8camerasarefittedwithsomekindofbatterytester-eitherawarninglightorameter
with a needle. Switch the camera on and check battery charge. A red zone means trouble on a
meter with a swinging needle, but paradoxically on cameras with test lights, both green and red
lights can mean batteries are OK! Standard batteries should last for about 5 films - but check
regularlyforsafety.
3.SetEyepiece
ThisisacriticaladjustmentforSuper8cameras-otherwiseyourfilmwillbeoutoffocus!Setthe
eyepiecebyzoominginonadistantobjectusingelectricormanualzoom-notethatsomecameras
areelectriczoomonlyandtryingtomovethezoomringmanuallywillcausedamage!Setfocusto
infinity on the lens barrel scale (maximum distance – the ‘lazy 8’). Now adjust sharpness of
viewfinderimagebyscrewingtheeyepieceinorout.
3.SetShootingSpeedat18fps
Shootingspeedisexpressedinframespersecond(fps).Setthisto18fpsunlessyouareattempting
specialeffectssuchassloworfastmotion.Filmswillbeprojectedat18fps.
4.TestMotor
We have already tested the electric zoom. Now press the trigger and listen to the motor run. It
shouldberunningatevenspeed–somecamerasareabitnoisy,that’sOK.
5.LoadFilm
Filmcartridgesareloadedinoneoftwoways-eitherangledinthroughasidedoororslidinfrom
therear.Makesurethefilmdoorisfirmlyclosedafterloading.
6.SetInternalFilterifrequired
Super 8 films come ‘pre-balanced’ for either daylight or tungsten (electric) light. All Super 8
cameras are fitted with internal orange filters which compensate colour balance when using a
‘tungsten’filmindaylight.Alotofcamerasare‘intelligent’andcansensethefilmtype.Theydecide
whethertoengageorwithdrawthefilterfordaylightshooting.However,someare‘dumb’,andare
equippedwithaswitchwhichhastwopositions:asuniconandlightbulbicon.It’sagoodideato
read the camera manual and do a little internet research on your film type before shooting,
especiallyifyouareshootingunderartificiallights–youdon’twan’tyourimagestoturnoutwith
anunwantedblueororangetint.Contactusifyouneedfurtheradvice.
Revel-8Super8FilmFestHelpGuide
AllmaterialscopyrightKeithSmith2017
3
Shooting on Location
1.CheckLightingConditionsUsingAuto-Exposure
Beforedoingatake,checklightlevelswiththecamerasettoautoexposure.Onmostmodels,this
meanspressingthetriggerlightly(notalltheway!)andaneedleinsidetheviewfinderwilltellyou
what aperture (known as the "f"-stop) the camera wants to use. Generally, best results in image
sharpness and colour saturation occur when the camera registers between f4 and f16. Note that
theexposuremetercannotalwaysbereliedoninthecaseofblackandwhiteTri-Xfilm-seelaterin
theguide.
2.SetF-StopUsingManualSetting
Shootingonauto-exposureonaSuper8cameraisusuallyOKbutbeawarethatmetersarevery
sensitivetoanychangeinlightconditions.Duringpans,orwhensubjectspassclosetothecamera
therecouldbeapanic-changeonthepartofthecamerawhichwillcausetheshottofluctuatefrom
lighttodark.Alternatively,onceyou'veseenwhatthecamerawantsasanf-stoponautoexposure,
you can lock this manually by changing the exposure control to manual and adjusting until the
needlerestsontherightstop(orbetweentherightstops).Don’tforgettocheckforeachnewshot!
3.UseLensHoodinBrightSunlight
Especiallyimportantwhenyouareforcedtoshootagainstthesun.Avoids"lightflares".
4.KeepEyeonEyepiece
Itispossibleforlighttoleakbackthroughtheeyepieceontothefilmwhenthecameraisrunning.
Keep your eye up to it at all times or blank it off if you are planning to make the shot without
lookingthroughthecamera.Somecamerashaveaswitchtoperformthisfunction.NEVERLOOKAT
THESUNTHROUGHTHEEYEPIECE!
5.BewareOfMixedLightingOrLowLightConditions.
Unlike digital camcorders, film cameras do not perform well in extreme low-light conditions
(althoughhigh-speedfilmslikeTri-Xassistthis).Theyalsocannotwhitebalanceforavarietyoflight
conditions. Colour films work best in bright daylight or under full-strength artificial/studio lights.
Reducingstudiolightintensitywillcausecolourstolosetheircorrecthueandgo"off".Havingsaid
this,withcarefulexposureitispossibletogetgreatoutdoordawnandduskshots-whenthelight
hasaspecialqualityofwarmthratherthanbeing"flat".
6.Filters
It's a good idea to fit a clear filter to the front of your camera for lens protection. Filmmakers
generallypreferUV(ultraviolet)orSkylightfilters.Colourandspecialeffectsfiltersareavailable-
butexperimentwiththembeforecommittingimportantscenestofilm.
7.AvailableFilms
Seewww.nanolab.com.auforavailablefilmstocks.
Revel-8Super8FilmFestHelpGuide
AllmaterialscopyrightKeithSmith2017
4
Camera Advice
UsingKodak's7266TRI-XblackandwhiteSuper8film
This‘fast’filmwasoriginallydesignedfornightsportsinlowlightconditions.Thegrainylookofthisfilm,
togetherwithitshighcontrastandsharpimage,hasmadeTri-XapopularchoiceforSuper8filmmakersin
avarietyoflightingconditions.Neutraldensity(ND)filtersareusuallyfittedduringbrightdaylightshooting.
The reason for this is to cut down the amount of light entering the lens to allow the camera to use the
normalf-stoprange.
AproblemwithusingTri-XisthattheinbuiltmetersinsomeSuper8camerasareunabletorecognisethis
film.Aguidetomanualdaylightexposuresfollows-youcanusethisforshootingorasaroughcheckof
yourcamerameter'saccuracy:
________________________________________________________________________________
GuidetoSettingApertureinDaylightat18fps
(Effectivefilmspeed200ASA)
WithND4
SlowMotion
Filter
(Nofilter)
BrightSun
Bright/HazySun
CloudyBright
CloudyDull
HeavyOvercast
(Againstsandorsnow)
(DistinctShadows)
(NoShadows)
(orSubjectinShade)
(Lowlight)
f45
f22-32
f22
f16
f8-11
f22
f11-16
f11
f8
f4–5.6
f32
f16-22
f16
f11
f5.6-8
________________________________________________________________________________
AtNight/IndoorsunderArtificialLightingat18fps
(Effectivefilmspeed160ASA–nofilter)
SlowMotion
Bright3pointlighting
(Prolightingkit)
Lightedsigns
(Neonsignsetc.)
Skylines
(10minaftersunset)
Stageshows
(Underspotlights)
Citystreets/shopwindows (brightlylit)
f8
f5.6
f5.6
f4
f2.8-4
f5.6
f4
f4
f2.8
f2.8
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Revel-8Super8FilmFestHelpGuide
AllmaterialscopyrightKeithSmith2017
5
Where to get what you need
FindingCameras
Trygaragesales,op-shops,swapmeets,trash&treasurestalls.Gumtreeisanothersource.Askrelativesif
they'vegotstuffhiddenaway.BewaryofeBay,it’sajourneyintotheunknown–thebestpolicyistocarry
somebatteriesandtrythecameraoutonthespotbeforebuying.
WhatshouldIpay?
Thisisahardone.Pricesareallaboutdemand-howmuchdoyoureallywantthatpieceofequipmentand
willitcomeupagainatabetterprice?$20-$150shouldcoveritexceptfornamebrandslikeBeaulieu.
WhatBrandshouldIbuy?
Thisisanimpossiblequestion.ThereareuntoldnumbersofbrandsandmodelsofSuper8equipment-
mostmanufacturershavemanagedtogetsomethingrightalongtheline.Butherearesomeofmy
favouritecameras:Canon518SV,Canon814&1014AutoZoomElectronic,SankyoXL-40S,MinoltaAutopak
8D6.
WhatFilmsareavailable?
Thebestplacetogoisthenanolabsitehttp://www.nanolab.com.au/stock_sales.htm
StocksavailableareinatransitionalperiodatthemomentandRichardTuohyatnanolabisabletoaccessa
rangeofstocksfromdifferentmanufacturers.
KodakCinemaandTelevisionisverysupportiveofstudentfilmmaking,butistrendingtowardsnegative
filmstocksandrequirespurchaseoffilmsinbulklots.
Singlecartridgesareavailablebymailorderfromhttp://nanolab.com.au/
LaboratoryProcessing
Australia-Nanolabhttp://nanolab.com.au/(negandreversal)
USA–Dwayne’sPhotowww.dwaynesphoto.com(colourreversalonly)
Otherlabs–http://motion.kodak.com/motion/Support/Laboratories_Directory/index.htm
Revel-8Super8FilmFestHelpGuide
AllmaterialscopyrightKeithSmith2017
6
Useful Resources
TheBooks:
Cheshire,D.(1980).TheBookofMoviePhotography.Melbourne:Nelson.
HomeMoviesMadeEasy.(1970).NewYork:KodakPublications.
Lipton,L.(1975).TheSuper8Book.SanFrancisco:StraightArrowBooks.
Lipton,L.(1976).IndependentFilmmaking.London:StudioVista.
Malkiewicz,K.(1989).Cinematography(2ndEd.).London:Columbus.
Pincus,E.&Ascher,S.(1999).TheFilmmaker'sHandbook.NewYork:Plume.
Samuelson,D.(1979).MotionPictureCameraData.London:FocalPress.
TheSites:
Filmshooting.com:
http://www.filmshooting.com/
Super8Forum:
http://www.cinematography.com
Super8Wiki: http://www.super8wiki.com
http://super8exchange.com/camera_instructions.php
Super8cameramanuals:
ProfessionalSuper8stocks&labwork: http://pro8mm.com/
KodakSuper8AnalogueRenaissance:
http://www.kodak.com/consumer/products/super8/default.htm
SomeFests:
http://www.supergr8fest.com/
http://www.cambridge-super8.org/
http://chicago8fest.org/
www.curta8.com.br
http://www.mundoemfoco.org/superoff/
http://onetakesuper8event.blogspot.ca
http://the8fest.com/
Revel-8Super8FilmFestHelpGuide
AllmaterialscopyrightKeithSmith2017
7