Flicker #9

Filmmakers on the Verge of Extinction, by Norwood

As Bill Frankenberger wrote and found out from Kodak that all sound (prestriped) Super 8 film is to be discontinued, we all find ourselves backed further into a corner, with our options dropping like silent movie stars who couldnt make the transition into talkies many of them having accents which were too strong to be understood, so they fell to the cutting room floor, or never again even appeared in front of the camera. Their once famous faces would soon be forgotten and replaced by not only a new face, but a VOICE. And now, that's just what we're losing. Just as silent film existed for 30 years, our precious Super 8 (introduced by Kodak in 1965), is gasping for air, a breath, our talkies now being silenced 30 years after inception.

O.K., its really not the end of Super 8, but with no more sound and Kodak's Super 8 prices steadily rising (50 cents last week, and up 50 cents 6 months ago) it can only make you wonder when the word is going to come from Kodak that Kodachrome and TriX arent selling enough and therefore these last remaining Super 8 stocks will be discontinued. If you still want to shoot Super 8, you can buy Super 8 Sounds specially cut film which runs double the price of Kodak Super 8. You might as well shoot 16mm.

I suppose there's not much we can do except enjoy this medium while it lasts....... One last roll of Kodachrome and a friend silouhetted by the most colorful winter sunset. It's very sad to me because it seems like the simple things become overpowered by the newest and latest, which are rarely simple and never the greatest.

A 2 hour home video tape is so broad and bland not just the look and resolution, but in sheer quantity of time. Who will ever go back and review the hours and hours of home video? Compared to a filmmaker sitting down and threading up a projector and watching a 3 minute and 20 second montage of Easter, summer vacation, Halloween, and Christmas images. Home movies, moving pictures, a living, breathing and (for awhile longer) talking photo album.

Of course Super 8 goes well beyond home movies, as we've seen and continue to see at Flicker. Super 8 adds its own magic to this world we live in. Sometimes grainy, out of focus, soft images, seeming so much more like a dream than a film. That's my Favorite. The walls are closing in on us my friends, and theres not much we can do. It seems our Super 8 days are numbered. Lets go out clawing, screaming, filming and most of all dreaming.

CineClub

An informal gathering of filmmakers and those interested in filmmaking. The idea is to introduce and familiarize everyone involved in NC independent filmmaking with each other.

When? Every other Monday, the next meeting is March 25, at 7:30 pm.
Where? Main St. Cafe, 313 W. Main St., Durham. Phone 682-4315. Other questions call Norwood Cheek at 967-5109.

The first two meetings were quite successful, folks getting to know about each other and their latest film projects, sharing information and knowledge, and trying to help everyone reach their filmatic goals. Hope to see you there.

To Buy Film

To Buy Cameras

Shutterbug Magazine - look in the back under Motion Picture Equipment For Sale

Internet - search under Super 8

Color Processing

Clear Color Photo - $6.50 per roll, 10 days 800-224-5654

Yale Lab - $11 per roll, 5 days 800-955-YALE

Black & White Processing

Yale Lab - $11 per roll, 5 days 800-955-YALE

Super 8 Projectors

Shown at Flicker #9, in approximately this order:

1. Lisa Muskat "100 miles from Hollywood"
9 min. 16mm to VHS.

2. Ed Conlon "A Day in the Life"
9 min. 16mm to VHS

3. Matt Andronica "Canon 1014 test"
5 min. Super 8

4. Ashley McKinney "Roundabout"
27 min. 16mm

5. Richard Jaimeyfield "Zen Frisbee Video"
4 min. 16mm to VHS

6. Stephen Connolly "Cathode Ray"
7 min. Super 8

7. Andrea DeGette
3 min. 16mm

8. Lesley McClintock
3 min. Super 8

9. Norwood Cheek "Copenhagen, 1:10 the Afternoon"
3 min. Super 8

Thanks for coming out and supporting local filmmakers. And a big welcome to Stephen Connolly who made the drive down.from New Jersey just for tonight's screening. He got in touch with me through the Flicker web page and now he's down for a few days with his Super 8 film Cathode Ray. Also tonight is special because of the announcement of the Flicker Film Grant. Read on,
Yours for better films,

Flicker Film Grant

Tonight the first Flicker Film Grant will be awarded. From now on at each Flicker, a deserving, up and coming, local filmmaker will receive $100 towards funding their latest Super 8 film endeavor. If you are interested in being considered for this grant, please send an informal proposal of ideas for the Super 8 film you want to make to: