One Take Super 8 Event

The One Take Super 8 Event (OTS8) began in 2000, with 20 filmmakers each shooting a single reel of Super 8 film, which then premiered to an audience without the filmmakers seeing their work beforehand. All the films were shown as shot. No cuts. No splices. The popularity of this non-competitive festival has allowed it to return each year with more filmmakers participating. To date over 1000 films have been created for over 50 One Take Super 8 Events across North America!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

WNDX + other OTS8 videos online!

The folks from WNDX keep forging ahead in their mission to spread their fantastic One Take Super 8 films far and wide. If you happened to miss the spectacle that is the yearly premiere of new super 8 films from Winnipeg filmmakers, here's your chance to catch up. Go to their Vimeo channel and immerse yourself in some of the best that Winnipeg has to offer. Some hits from the 2009 event are already posted including Heartspeak and Goths! On the Bus! It's still hard to believe that these films are made entirely with in camera edits and no post production (okay, some added some titles, but the films are untouched). Another WNDX 2009 hit, Rocket John, "the most existing 1950's movie serial hero of the 21st century" can be found here (includes some of the best in camera edits for a genre film I've seen in a while). And here's one of the most romantic animated films we've had grace our screen in Winnipeg, made by Jordan Crossthwaite and Jeanette Johns on the event of their engagement.

While you're getting your fix of some online super 8 magic from past OTS8's, you must check out Shawn Fulton's channel on youtube, featuring 6 of his hits from past Regina One Take Super 8 Events, including his first film DOGS, made back in 2000 (how can you not be a fan of a film called DOGS that starts with close up of a cat). The Wolf Rocks Regina (2005) features what was at the time the closest think to sync dialogue ever attempted in a OTS8 film. Also, the first film shoot that gets the boot from KFC. classic.

And finally, another film with a killer soundtrack (WARNING: Watching this film will have you humming the title track for unimaginable amounts of time). Mike Maryniuk's ambitious and brilliant Fish Arms from the inaugural WNDX OTS8 in 2006.

Happy Viewing.

oh, and stay tuned. big announcement coming in the next day or so.


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

OTS8 @ 8fest

This weekend is Toronto's 3rd annual 8fest. This festival is dedicated to small gauge work, and OTS8 is very pleased to have a number of films screening in the 'Bagaroo, three!' programme on Sunday night. Cecilia Araneda's film 'In Reflection' was made and premiered at WNDX's OTS8 in 2006.

3 other films showing at 8fest are from the 2008 event in Regina. Gerald Saul's 'Cake' featuring his son William's instructional narration. Ryan Hill's 'Lights, Camera, Action' makes powerful use of glorious super 8 b/w reversal stock. And finally a film which has been picking up traction on the festival circuit is Helder Mauricio Carvajal's 'Beez in the Hood'; a humorous take on life in Regina's alley ghettos and a persistent insect.

Also, some OTS8 alumni have shot new films for the 8 fest's 'Golden: the polyphonic aural experience'. 5 Filmmakers and 5 audio artists created new work independent of each other, creating a one of a kind screening experience when they accompany each other for the first time this Saturday night. Deco Dawson's newest film 'Die Jungfrau und die Eule' is his unique take on the Brother's Grimm tale 'The Maiden and the Owl'. Tricia Martin, a long time contributor to the Regina OTS8, has finished 'Which Way to Mexico?'; her rumination on fantasies of escaping Regina's frigid winters. Congratulations to all the OTS8 filmmakers participating in this festival.

If you happen to be in Toronto, this festival is definitely worth attending as a rare opportunity to see fantastic small gauge film projected in its original format.