Syracuse Celebrates 6th Annual OTS8

Syracusians (?) can't get enough of a good thing. Plans are underway for their 8th edition in upstate NY, and their 30 spots filled up in record time. I think it must have been a number of people's resolution to shoot more super 8 in 2012 (a sign of the impending apocalypse? perhaps).

This means in the coming weeks 1500 feet of super 8 film will glide through cameras (being intermittently exposed to light), the wonders of which will be revealed in March. We'll have more details here shortly on the screening, or feel free to visit their blog or facebook page.

In the meantime, happy new year to all our OTS8 enthusiasts and here's to another great year of small gauge filmmaking.

And I didn't forget, wrap ups of last year's OTS8 are on their way (sorry, been a bit busy, my new year's resolution is to keep you all updated).

1:1 Super 8 Cinema Soiree

For those looking for a warm super 8 escape, might we recommend the 4th Annual 1:1 Super 8 Cinema Soiree this Thursday night - December 1, 2011.

Returning to IWAN The Bubble in Fort Lauderdale, this showcase of brand new South Florida super 8 films (as always in true OTS8 form, no cuts no splices, and projected on super 8).

It's $5 at the door. For all the details, check out their Facebook page here.

We're heading down there, and will have a review of the show in early December (along with a long overdue recap of WNDX's 6th Annual show)

Stay warm everyone.

WNDX Wrap Up

We're wrapped in Winnipeg for another year! Six great years of super 8 summed up with 27 brand new films, and a DVD release of 25 films from the first 5 years. The Gas Station Theatre hosted us again, (it's feeling like a real home for us annually now). Here's a few teaser photos, with a review to follow soon (with more pics!)

Kevin Bacon makes a super 8 film!

It must be something to always be introduced, then follow it up with 'no, not that Kevin Bacon'. But if you've been a fan of the WNDX OTS8 since 2006, then you know where the real Bacon is, and how incredible these single reel films have been. Great narratives, perfectly timed shots, and always a thrilling finish, Kevin Bacon has quickly mastered the art of a perfect OTS8 film, and he's in the process of the finishing touches of his OTS8 film for this year's WNDX edition (mark your calendars for October 3!).

Granting a behind the scenes look at his super 8 production, this is a great photo essay of the work he invests into creating his 200 second masterpieces. Be sure to make note of a few things:

-a manfrotto tripod;

-a second tripod with a videocamera to capture timings and framings;

-a 500w worklamp!! hallelujah, every production can use on of these and rid OTS8 of underexposed films from now on (unless you're into underexposed super 8, in which case carry on);

-a tape measure to make sure your focus is critical.

Enjoy this sneak peak of his new film, and be sure to be at the world premiere on October 3 at the Gas Station Theatre as the finale wind up to this year's fantastic WNDX festival.

WNDX OTS8 #6

WNDX has opened its entry forms for submissions for their 6th annual OTS8, and true to form (and showing the continued popularity of this event), they only have two spots left. So, if you're reading this and inspired, quickly go to this link, fill out the form, and see if you can score that coveted last spot to see your film on the big screen in the 'peg in October. It'll be the hottest ticket in town, despite those who claim it'll be the Jets.

Syracuse review

Syracuse just celebrated it's 5th annual OTS8, changing venues from Funk'n Waffles to a vacant storefront in Syracuse (love that, but miss the thought of eating a fudge brownie while watching super 8). The event was another great success due to the hard work of Jason and Brianna Kohlbrenner and their dedicated team. 26 new films premiered, and by the sounds of this review, there are more new fans of the event, and things are looking strong for year 6 and beyond.

OTS8 at Prairie Scene

The great plains descend on Ottawa this spring with a showcase of 20 films made for OTS8 events in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Each province will have 10 films selected from the past 10 events in Regina, and 5 years in Winnipeg as part of the WNDX festival. The National Arts Centre's Prairie Scene is an expansive showcase and we're thrilled to be a part of it.

Here's a link to their site (check out their other great programming highlighting prairie artists).

If you're in Ottawa on April 27th, join us at the Mercury lounge (56 Byward Market Square) at 7:30pm, where our gracious hosts and partners from IFCO will be helping us to present the original films, as a rare opportunity to see them on super 8 again. If the location sounds familiar, it's where we held the Ottawa OTS8 back in 2007.

Here's the line up of films that will be screened.

Manitoba:

Arlea Ashcroft & Andrea von Wichert - Snapper Doodle

Jaimz Asmundson - Goths! On the Bus!

Clint Enns - The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse (1940/2010)

Mike Maryniuk - Fish Arms

Heidi Phillips - Spin

Sunny Sidhu - Singh

Danielle Sturk - a(éo)liens

Leslie Supnet - sun moon stars rain

Curtis Wiebe - Rocket John

Aaron Zeghers - Chaos Theory

Saskatchewan

Brent Braaten - Typewriter Oceanus

Shawn Fulton - Low Life

Jennifer Gennutt - Z Day

Eric Hill - Wind Up!

Kyle Ketchemonia - Confidential

Terry Mialkowsky & Shannon Jardine - Belt Buckle/Quonset Hut

Dianne Ouellette - Bootalicious

robert.daniel.pytlyk. - Still Life

Jennifer Sparrowhawk - The Last Time I Saw You

Daniel Suchoboki - Singularity on top of a Duration.