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!

Monday, February 21, 2011

One Take Films hit Cowtown

Past One Take Super 8 Event films have another strong presence at this year's 19th Annual $100 film festival. We're pretty proud that these film stay true to the budgetary constraints (I'd bet most of them were made for less than half of that).

Films from past events in Regina, Winnipeg and Montreal are making premieres in Calgary on March 3-5. For all event and ticket details click here.

We're thrilled that Alexandre Larose is their guest filmmaker this year, and in addition to his film catalogue and a workshop (that we guarantee will be fantastic if you attend), he's showing 2 films made for past OTS8 events. Artifices, premiered at Pop Montreal OTS8 2007 (maybe the most well received and widely screened OTS8 film of all time?) will screen on Friday night, as will Brouillard (OTS8 Montreal 2009).

Other films to check out:
From Regina, Gerald Saul will screen his 2009 OTS8 film Memories of Uncle's House. Craig Orrett's Garbage Ghosts from 2008 (Regina) has also been programmed (also, see another of Craig's films, FOWLS shot on super 8 and blown up to 16mm).

A unique opportunity to see a father and son screen their films at the same festival, Ryan Hill's Send & Receive (Regina 2009) will screen on Friday night, while his dad Charlie Hill will show the first film he ever made for the 2009 Regina OTS8 Big Jim to close out the festival on Saturday night. Big Jim was probably the biggest surprise hit of the 2009 event, and we're thrilled that Charlie will get to premiere it in Calgary.

From Winnipeg, a few films are making their way west:
Noam Gonick's first OTS8 film The Island of Hermaphrodites ( Winnipeg 2010) is at the festival, and Craig Webber's suspenseful Not In Service (Winnipeg 2010) showcases his OTS8 prowess that Winnipeg has come to expect. Another surprise hit from this past WNDX OTS8 was Scott Fitzpatrick's Down (2010). It's a amazing feat of incredible planning and flawless execution. I won't say anymore as it's best seen than explained.

So, there you have it. If you're looking for a small gauge film fix, and want to see these super 8 originals, head on down to Calgary for the $100 film fest (I'm sure the rest of the films are great too!). If you are heading there, let us know. We'd love to get your review of the festival. Also, good luck to the past OTS8 filmmakers, and fingers crossed for the venerable super 8 prize. Past OTS8 films have walked away with the top super 8 prize a few times in the past, so it would be great to add to that collection.




Sunday, February 13, 2011

Syracuse OTS8 #5


Celebrating their 5th Anniversary, The Syracuse One Take Super 8 Event has posted their call for submissions. Spots are filling up fast. $40 will get you one of the 25 coveted spots. And if you miss the deadline, you can still take part in the fun, by attending the screening at Funk N' Waffles with a sweet treat or savory supper before the show. Always guaranteed to be a fun night, we'll keep you posted on the details on our great partner south of the border, keeping super 8 strong in the Salt City. If you're looking for some inspiration, or can't wait to see some super 8 before the screening, check out some of last year's films posted at Syracuse Experimental Film & Video' site.