One Take Super 8 Event

Syracuse Celebrates 6th Annual OTS8

2012-01-04T20:48:00.004-05:00

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

2011-11-28T22:34:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-10T12:46:00.004-04:00

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!

2011-09-06T14:17:00.004-04:00

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

2011-07-25T12:02:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-25T13:45:00.002-04:00

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

2011-03-20T15:34:00.003-04:00

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.

One Take Films hit Cowtown

2011-02-21T10:54:00.004-05:00

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.

Syracuse OTS8 #5

2011-02-13T16:37:00.004-05:00

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.

1:1 Super 8 Festival Review

2011-01-17T10:49:00.017-05:00

And now a dispatch from our friends in sunny FLA, (with snow and a windchill here, wishing we could be there now). Congrats to Shane Eason and his team on their 3rd successful 1:1 Super 8 Festival.:

This past year marked the 3rd 1:1 Super 8 Film Festival in sunny Fort Lauderdale. On December 8th, 2010, 18 veteran (and rookie) super 8 filmmakers and artists from South Florida nervously showcased their fresh films at the historic (and supposedly haunted) Maxwell Room, built in 1925. These technically skillful, yet clever pieces of celluloid premiered before an energetic, rowdy audience of 120+. Most dressed in their best holiday threads. Others in the traditional, all black "I'm an artist, I have angst, so leave me alone!" garb.

The participants for this year's event included:

Adrienne Rose Gionta, Ian Rosenberg, Devin Scott, Eric Fuhrmann, Kohyi Sanchez, Paula Hart, Hector Romagosa, David Levine, Ammar Marimutu, Van-Eric Prevalus, Alex Stevens, Derek Taylor, Jason Forsyth, Verner Maldonado, Andreyna Sanchez, Nicolas Sacci, and Rhett Baron.

Of the films, three of them had live music accompaniment or performance. David Levine's "True Love" had an improvised trumpet from musician Dan Roddenberry. There was air playing, but actual smashing, of an acoustic guitar found wrapped underneath the 8 ft Christmas tree from Rhett Baron for "Guitarrista en Florida" by Hector Romagosa. And for Ian Rosenberg's and Devin Scott's two part science fiction film "Space Bar" and "Space Bar 2 in 3D", a distortion-noise performance that incorporated electric guitars, a crosscut handsaw, and foam meteorites that showered the audience carried out by Anteaters & The Women Who Love Them.

The screening was followed by a small wrap party at The Poorhouse. There, the filmmakers (and their groupies) gave into Super 8 and holiday salutations. This, of course, carried long into the wee morn'. I think I got home at 4 a.m.

S. C. Eason - Festival Director

The 2010 1:1 Super 8 Film Festival acknowledges the following for their generous support: Florida Atlantic University Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, Florida Atlantic University School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, The Downtowner Saloon, The Maxwell Room, Black Iron Film Artist Collective, The One Take Super 8 Event, PAC LAB INC & Eastman Kodak Films.

1:1 Super 8 Festival - 3rd Annual in Sunny FLA!

2010-11-20T23:48:00.003-05:00

Our friends south of the border are ramping up for their 3rd annual 1:1 Film festival.

Below is their press release with details of the event. Good luck to the filmmakers, and stay tuned for a review of the show!

2010 1:1 SUPER 8 FILM FESTIVAL
ONE REEL | ONE TAKE | ONE NIGHT
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL

For the third time in South Florida, Black Iron Film Artist Collective and the original One Take Super 8 Event present the 2010 1:1 Super 8 Film Festival.
Twenty independent filmmakers and artists from South Florida will load their cameras to take part in this year’s spectacle. These 200 second “masterpieces” will truly display the diversity and creativity from different independent filmmakers of South Florida.

WHEN - Wednesday December 8, 2010

TIME - Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with screening at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE - The Maxwell Room (Adjacent The Downtowner Saloon)
10 South New River Drive East, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(Downtown Fort Lauderdale)

DIRECTIONS - Take Andrews Ave to SE 5th St. and turn East, then left on SE 1st Ave. Both located on the South side of the New River, East of the Andrews Avenue Bridge. Free and meter parking is available behind The Maxwell Room/The Downtowner Saloon and under the Andrews Avenue Bridge.

COST - Free and open to the public! $5 suggested donation.

The first Fort Lauderdale/Miami show (2006) coordinated by filmmaker and FAU Film Production Professor Shane Eason spawned 20 films, some new and some programmed from previous shows. It had approximately 125 attend and held an impressive festive atmosphere. Further, in 2009, a second festival had 24 films produced and 150 people in attendance. The 2009 festival also garnered a new, standalone, event title, The 1:1 Super 8 Film Festival. Although a new festival was established, the manifesto and concepts from the original would carry over.

One cartridge! One take! One night!

This year marks the third 1:1 Super 8 Film Festival in sunny South Florida and it’s already a hot topic of discussion among artists yearning for the sight and smell of super 8 film. So grab a camera, get some celluloid, and shoot for the 2010 1:1 Super 8 Film Festival.

For additional information and questions contact: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168821126475288

The 2010 1:1 Super 8 Film Festival acknowledges the following for their generous support: Florida Atlantic University Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, Florida Atlantic University School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, The Downtowner Saloon, The Maxwell Room, Black Iron Film Artist Collective, The One Take Super 8 Event, PAC LAB INC & Eastman Kodak Films.

Regina Review

2010-10-13T20:19:00.001-04:00

A guest review of our 10th Anniversary OTS8 program in Regina from Yvonne Abusow, a participant and membership co-ordinator at the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative. Thanks Yvonne!

This year was Regina’s 10^th year Anniversary of the One Take Super 8 event, 24 films screened on September 30^th. It was a night of excitement and nerves as Filmmakers friends and patrons of the event waited for the films to screen. I myself was a bundle of nerves as my film opened the evening’s festivities. This was my second year participating in the OTS8 in Regina and both events amazed me with the unique voice and vision of each filmmaker. This time I brought friends to experience the creative collective of Saskatchewan’s one take filmmakers and they walked out of the theatre at the end of the night excited that such a thing existed in the city of Regina. They were amazed that there was this small but mighty collection of people who participate year after year to have their films seen for the first time in front of an audience. A lot of things can go wrong on a shoot, I myself have tasted the disappointment of an out of focus image in front of a large audience, but I remind myself there’s always next year, and next time it will be bigger, better, and in focus!

The evening made me really appreciate the way others viewed the world. Ryan Hill’s Circles of Life, made me realize that there are circles everywhere I look I only have to look for them. Eric Hill’s film made me realize that wind-up toys can find true love, and Gerald Saul’s film “Rerun Amok” made me want to know how he did that? There were so many great films from the evening that I can’t mention them all in this blog, but I can say that I am in awe of the filmmakers that look at the world in ways I never would, and the 10^th annual One Take Super 8 event made me awestruck.

AND THE TROPHY GOES TO....

2010-10-05T13:32:00.007-04:00

Our first non-invitational golf tournament at WNDX this year was a thrilling success. Our foursome initiated the tournament with a 10am tee time at U-PUTTZ which saw a few of our participants fall away (who can blame them after we got out of a George Kuchar screening/talk after 2am, that was totally worth it).

Dave Barber, Leslie Supnet and Clint Enns, all braved the early hours and luckily U-Puttz serves a mean cup of coffee (which is so nuclear hot, I had to set mine aside during the 18 holes and pick it up after - STILL WARM!) Not much of a breakfast platter, but the pizza pops sort of qualified. As the venerable Mr. Barber mentioned while seated in the suprisingly white and sterile cafeteria room "I could live off that menu. It's filled with my favourite things." I won't go through the list, but Mr. Barber's b-day is coming soon, so if you're wondering what to get him, I would suggest taking him out for a round, and buying him dinner at U-Puttz.

On to the action. The first 9-holes were under-water themed, and as we were submerged Clint Enns showed consistency and caution, scoring par 3 on the first 5 holes, but avoiding some of the risky ramps through shark mouths and octopus tentacles. His caution paid off putting him 2 strokes ahead of Barber and Supnet leading into the back nine. The pre-historic second half surrounded us with neon dinos and palm trees, and Supnet made a charge at taking Enns' lead with many a near hole-in-ones, but the cups continued to cough up the ball, making for an easy 2 putt birdie. The final hole secured the win for Enns, with Mr. Barber sneaking into 2nd and Supnet having a solid 3rd place finish. Yours truly trailed behind, only due to serious risk taking and a philosophy that the more putts you take in mini-golf the more bang you get for your buck.

Post game breakfast celebrations continued at the Don, with Enns proudly carrying his trophy (and almost forgetting it on the table!!!). It's clear this will become an annual WNDX/OTS8 tournament with many challengers ready to take up putters next year and challenge Enns' title.

As a note to those planning to attend U-Puttz on a weekend day. I would highly recommend being onto the 19th hole by 11am, as the place was running rampant with rugrats making the black light environment look like a neon blur of screaming glowing sugared up kids with weapons.

(thanks to Leslie Supnet for supplying the photos).

TONIGHT! CELEBRATE A DECADE OF OTS8

2010-09-30T13:46:00.002-04:00

Join us tonight at the RPL theatre at 7pm, as we have a filmmakers' cocktail with light snacks and refreshments to celebrate our 10th anniversary.

We'll be premiering 24 new films at 8pm to what we're anticipating will be another very anxious, excited capacity audience. Stay tuned for a review of the show tomorrow as we highlight the films, and hopefully (fingers crossed) get through another year without a catastrophic projector malfunction. (Don't worry we have a back up or 2)

See you tonight! If you're killing time waiting for the films tonight, check out Greg Beatty's preview of the event at the Prairie Dog.

2010 Poster!

2010-09-21T14:17:00.003-04:00

Well, here it is. Our lovingly screen printed poster is on its way to billboards and lightposts near you Regina. Merchguy has done a bang up job again, with this original design. It's a great way to celebrate our first decade of super 8 films.

I managed to compile some statistics from our first 9 years which are quite impressive.

Since 2000 , The Regina OTS8 has screened 226 original super 8 films (add on this year's 25 and we crest the 250 mark!)

Of those 226 films, there were a number of repeating filmmakers (only a few of who have participated all 10 years). In total 113 different artists helped created those 226 films. This does not include the numerous individuals who undoubtedly helped create the masterpieces. If you have any favorite OTS8 memories that you want to share, please do so in the comments field (favorite film, soundtrack, audience interaction). Looking forward to loading up the projector in Regina for the 10th time. Stay tuned for full program details.

MINI-GOLF TOURNAMENT

2010-09-21T11:24:00.004-04:00

To celebrate our 5th anniversary at WNDX, the OTS8 is proud to be the presenting partner of our 1st (not really an) invitational mini-golf tournament.

We have a limited capacity for entrants, but for those keen on a Saturday morning tee-time, we'll be kicking things off at 10am at U-Puttz (I think that name is endlessly funny). E-mail us if you're interested in participating. It'll set you back $10, and prizes will be awarded. We might even have celebrity guests. It'll be 18 holes of black light golf madness.

If you want to check out the lay of the land, you can visit their site here. No caddies provided. Must carry your own ball and putter (which are included in the price :)

THE LINE UP

2010-09-20T19:20:00.006-04:00

Here's the line up of filmmakers for the 10th Annual OTS8 in Regina.

Some familiar names, and a number of new ones. One thing is guaranteed. All the films will be fresh, and ready for a hungry audience.

Dianne Ouellette, Lesley Farley, Sarah Abbott, Nick Holroyd, Jael Bartnik, Peter Stinson, Don Best, Brian Ganong, William Bessai-Saul, Gerald Saul, Yvonne Abusow, Cory MacLean, Eric Hill, Katherine Skelton, Alex Rogalski, Rob Hillstead, Marcel Petit, Dave Turcotte, Tricia Martin, Charlie Hill, Ryan Hill, Jade Duckett, berny hi, Krystal Lewis, Dan Suchoboki.

Registrations closed

2010-08-24T12:51:00.002-04:00

Sorry to disappoint those who weren't able to enter, but the registration period for the 10th annual One Take Super 8 Event in Regina is closed with over 25 participants ready with cameras and films making their 3 minute masterpieces as we speak.

We hope to post a few production notes from filmmakers here, as glimpses of the films proceed in the weeks to come.

So, steady yourselves for a barrage of small gauge cinema at the end of September, with the Regina Event hitting screens on Sept.30 and the 5th WNDX OTS8 on October 4th in Winnipeg.

Keep rolling everyone.

10 years! You don't look a year over super 8!

2010-07-26T16:04:00.007-04:00

I know the anticipation was killing all of you. With camera trigger fingers itching, and eyes twitching, let the fun begin!

The one that started it all is embarking on its 10th annual event.

As you can see, the submission form has been formatted for your pleasure. Please complete and send in as soon as possible to the SK Filmpool. Film cartridges will be arriving there this week, giving you 7 full weeks to shoot your masterpiece (and we do mean masterpiece. you have had 10 years to figure out all the tricks needed to master a one take).

As always, the first 25 people to pay their fee will be the first 25 participants. Limited to SASKATCHEWAN RESIDENTS ONLY.

If you have questions or can't contain your excitement, feel free to drop us a line - onetakesuper8event(at)yahoo.com

Thanks again to our sponsors for making this possible: The Saskatchewan Arts Board, Kodak, Saskatchewan Filmpool, Exclusive Film and Video, Regina Public Library Theatre.

JERK features the COMEBACK CAM

2010-07-25T12:19:00.004-04:00

For some light Sunday reading, here's a link to a great article written by Julia Askenase about the modern use of super 8. It focuses on the preparations and fun leading up to the 4th Annual OTS8 in Syracuse this past April, organized by the wonderful husband and wife team of Briana and Jason Kohlbrenner. They've posted some of the great OTS8 films from past Syracuse events at the Syracuse Experimental site, definitely worth a visit.

Here's a brief sample from the article:

"Beyond the niche commercial market of well-heeled weddings, however, Super 8 exists as a low-budget artistic format for amateurs and experienced filmmakers alike. When Alex Rogalski founded One Take Super 8 in Saskatchewan, Canada in 2000, he’d grown tired of watching his film friends from university become frustrated by the competitive professional festival circuit. So he created his own forum.

“[One Take] was an idea I had to get filmmakers and non-filmmakers both to make something that was guaranteed an audience,” he says. He designed the event without a jury or prizes, and chose Super 8 because of its many draws . It’s portable and affordable—a roll of film costs around $15—and also has some key limitations. Super 8 lacks the instant gratification and post-production editing capabilities of digital, forcing filmmakers to plan carefully their single take. And because entrants turn their films in blind, the typical screening ends up with a grab bag of quality. “When you do see a film that’s in focus and properly lit and tells a story, it’s like a miracle. Because clearly, a lot could go wrong,” Rogalski says. “I think we want to pull back the curtain a bit on the filmmaking process. You get to see that not everything hits the mark.”

One Take spread organically, as filmmakers from the original event moved to new cities and started local incarnations. But since the late ’90s, the Internet had already been connecting Super 8 enthusiasts all over the map. Super 8 tip sites cropped up, while major websites like Craigslist and eBay facilitated the sales of Super 8 cameras, which are no longer in production. “There’s no doubt that it’s a little ironic that new technology has made Super 8 more relevant,” he says.

At the Syracuse branch, started by Rogalski’s colleague Brett Kashmere, many participants find liberation in the event’s constraints. “They might come in with this enormous script and are like, ‘Oh, we’re going to do this whole thing!’ But once they screw up, they realize they can’t rewind and shoot again,” says Jason Kohlbrenner. “I think this weight gets lifted off their shoulders.”

WNDX 2010 OTS8 is Full.

2010-07-23T21:01:00.003-04:00

For some this is great news (those who entered). For others great disappointment (those who didn't).

You snooze you lose in Winnipeg. After less than a week, all of this year's spots for the 5th annual WNDX OTS8 have been snapped up, and soon cameras will be rolling. My, they have a lot of time, as the event will not take place for over 2 months. I can foresee some potential for amazing time lapse or animation work. Who knows what a summer of biblical rains and mosquitos will do for the creativity of these prairie folk.

For those who didn't get in, all is not lost. You can always see if anyone needs an extra hand filming their one take wonder. And it's always worth coming out to the event to see what cinematic charms will grace the screen. Save the date. October 3rd. Gas Station Theatre. It'll be a doozy.

In other news. Saskatchewan, prepare yourself. Submission forms have been tweaked. Film has been ordered. Keep your eyes peeled, cause any day now we'll open up submissions for our 10th event.

5th Annual OTS8 at WNDX!

2010-07-15T10:24:00.003-04:00

With summer on the brain, it's hard to believe that it will ever end, but WNDX is set up to storm Winnipeg's art scene for the 5th time this fall, and the call has been sent out for all Manitoba filmmakers to pick up a camera and shoot a reel for their 5th annual OTS8!

Here's a link to their sign up form.

Make sure you sign up by August 13th (actually, sign up today, as the 25 spots always fill up fast).

Looking forward to another great harvest of super 8 wonders from that one great city that never disappoints.

In the meantime, if you need to get your creative juices flowing for shooting a single reel, head up to Gimli next weekend (July 21-25), where some past OTS8 films have been programmed including SINGH by Sunny Sidhu, $100 film festival winner GOTHS! ON A BUS! by Jaimz and Karen Asmundson, and BELT BUCKLE/QUONSET HUT by Terry Mialkowsky and Shannon Jardine.

More details about screening times and locations can be found here.

Summertime!

2010-07-08T16:08:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since our last post, so just wanted to let everyone know, we took a short break, but are now busy working on our fall programming.

The 10th OTS8 will be here before we know it. We have a tentative date set (which we'll reveal soon) and we'll be hosted again at the RPL Theatre which has been home to the OTS8 since 2007. We're welcoming back a number of sponsors for this year's special anniversary and adding some new ones.

Also, plans are under way for the 5th annual OTS8 at WNDX. Keep checking back for updates for when submissions open. There's some exciting news developing for making a number of past WNDX OTS8 films available much more widely, for those who have missed past year, or want to see some of the films again.

We'll be updating pretty regularly now as things fall into place. Looking forward to an exciting fall of brand new super 8 work!

SOS 2.

2010-04-19T17:00:00.003-04:00

8 pm Saturday April 24, 2010

WEST LECTURE HALL

Oberlin College Science Center

Room A 162 @ 119 Woodland Street

After a one year hiatus, the S.O.S. (Super8 Oberlin Showcase) returns for a second edition! Over 20 filmmakers from the Oberlin College community (past and present) have loaded their cameras to take part in the spectacle.

Featuring PREMIERE FILMS by: Theo Anthony, David Burnham, Daniel Dudley, Lucy Engelman, Davey Field, Peter Freeman, Lily Gottschalk, Stephen Graves, Justin Harris, Harry Israelson, Jimmy Magliozzi, Ben Neufeld, Jay Nolan, Rowan Norlander-McCarty, Peter Nowogrodzki, Matt Presto & Sara Krugman, Ian Page, Max Rivlin-Nadler, Dash Robb, Jackworth Smith, Asha Tamirisa, and Ian Wood.

There are no advance tickets for this event, which is open to the public. Admission is free.

Brought to you by the Oberlin Film Co-op and Oberlin Film Series, with support from the Oberlin College Cinema Studies Program and Exclusive Film and Video. This event is organized in conjunction with the 2nd annual Oberlin Film Festival, which takes place on Friday April 23rd in King 106, beginning at 8pm.

Rocky Mountain Super 8 High

2010-04-11T18:40:00.007-04:00

Near the aura of Stan Brakhage's legacy comes the 2nd Denver One Take Super 8 Event. Organized through the Denver Filmmakers Coop, Jessica Lance (organizer of the 2nd annual Syracuse OTS8) is coordinating this event.

One Take Super 8 Event Denver 2010

Bug Theatre (3654 Navajo Street)

April 21, 8pm

Filmmakers include:

Erika Bopp, Robert Nachman, Melanie Martsolf, Johnny Morehouse, Don Carson, Matt Doyle, Jess Lance, Indi Kirkpatrick, Ian Rawlings, David Thomas, Ben Garst, Scott Banning, Trevr Merchant, Dan Glock, John Hartman, Charles Pankey, Garrett McGaugh.

For more details e-mail DenverFilmmakersCoop@gmail.com (or visit their site).

Syracuse TONIGHT!

2010-04-10T12:11:00.003-04:00

Well, we've recovered from a late, but great night at the Polish Combatants Hall, premiering 28 new super 8 films (and one blast from the past), for the first Toronto One Take Super 8 Event. Standing room only (with 220+ in attendance) set the stage for our 11pm starting point, with all the films hitting the screen before 2am. No real snags except for a little bit of a delay in showing our very first Kodachrome sound super 8 film, courtesy of Ross McLaren. Considering the reel had 'expired' over 20 years ago, it turned out really well, and was a great follow up to McLaren's 1978 film Summer Camp.

There were many highlights throughout the night, especially from our first time filmmakers. There were also many 'firsts' on screen, including humping tortises from the Galapagos courtesy of Jonathan Culp. For those who stayed to the wee hours, they were rewarded with a new film from John Porter entitled 'Light Sleeper'. I won't describe it, as words don't really do it justice, but if you are in Winnipeg on Friday, April 23 you will have a chance to see this time lapse masterpiece as well as many of John's other gems at the Winnipeg Cinematheque. If you have never seen any of John's performances, don't miss out. "Porter's films are dynamic, humorous and revealing, enjoyed by people of all ages (families are encouraged to bring their kids!) They reveal and highlight the excitement involved in the risk taking of creating a super 8 film." - Winnipeg cinematheque program.

If you happen to be nearby Syracuse, NY tonight, please check out their 4th annual event at Funk 'n Waffles. If you can't make it, be sure to watch it online live!

The films from Oberlin have arrived and are ready to take to the lab. We'll have more details soon, including all the participants and location of the screening.

Pity the April fool.

2010-04-01T16:47:00.004-04:00

April is upon us, and what a month it's lining up to be.

The Images festival gets underway this evening, with a fantastic line up of work over the next 10 days. Not the least of which is the first ever Toronto One Take Super 8 Event. Less than one week from today we will premiere 28 new films at the festival (so excited to pick them up from the lab today). Here's the key details of where and when you need to be next Wednesday.

Polish Combatants Hall

206 Beverly Street (at Cecil)

Wednesday April 7th

11pm

Pay What You Can (first come first admitted. no advanced ticketing so don't show up late and be disappointed).

The event is gaining more attention as the filmmakers are anxious to see their work. First time filmmaker (more comfortably known as a writer) Alison Broverman documented her foray into super 8 filmmaking and published this article in today's Toronto Star. It's a great article about the process and experience for a first time OTS8 participant.

While things are getting busy here in Toronto, final preparations are underway for the 4th annual event in Syracuse. Check out their blog for their snazzy new poster and details about their April 10th screening at Funk 'n Waffles. If you can't make it to Syracuse, they'll be webcast streaming the event!

And finally, things are underway in Oberlin for their second S.O.S (Super 8 Oberlin Showcase).

Films are being shot at this moment. Check back here for details about the location and time of the screening on April 23rd.

Whew. Looks to be a really busy month of screenings. Can't wait.

Award winning films

2010-03-11T15:06:00.004-05:00

Some past OTS8 films and filmmakers walked away with a handful of awards this past weekend at the $100 Film Festival. As we listed in a previous post, the OTS8 was well represented at the event (making the odds in favour of an alumni picking up at least one award). But it seems like the OTS8 owned the podium this year.

Picking up Best 8mm film was Leslie Supnet and her WNDX OTS8 2009 film sun moon stars rain.

After walking away with best 8mm film Artifices (from Pop Montreal OTS8 2007) at the 2009 $100 Film Festival, Alex Larose returned with J. a 16mm film made with OTS8 alumni Sol Nagler winning best 16mm film this year.

And picking up the Audience Favorite award (some might consider it the most coveted prize), was Karen and Jaimz Asmundson with their hit WNDX OTS8 2009 film Goths! On the Bus!

Congratulations to all the winners. Look forward to more OTS8 genius from them in the future.

Super 8 Spring Stateside

2010-03-09T12:03:00.004-05:00

Spring has sprung for the OTS8. We're quickly moving forward on 3 new OTS8's taking place this April.

First, we have our first Toronto edition co-presented with the Images Festival. 25 films are in production at the moment and will premiere on April 7th on the opening night of the Experimental Media Congress. We'll be announcing all the details soon, after the launch of the Images catalogue and screening schedule (including the names of all the participants).

Following Images, Syracuse is steaming ahead into its 4th annual event (complete with snazzy poster featured here), presented by the Syracuse Experimental Film & Video Workshop. 21 films from 28 filmmakers will premiere at the fabulous Funk N' Waffles. There are lots of returning filmmakers and some new names on the list, so its looking to be a great night of subterranean cinema on April 10th at 7pm.

And finally, Oberlin has put out the call for the 2nd S.O.S (Super8 Oberlin Showcase) co-presented by the One Take Super 8 Event. The first event in 2008 was a smashing success, and this year is looking to be even better. The first 20 people to enter will receive a free cartridge of film and processing, and have their film premiered on Friday April 23rd (location to be announced). Thanks to the Oberlin Film Co-operative for their incredible support and help in coordinating this event. Inquiries about the event can be sent to ofc@oberlin.edu.

It's clear that we're full steam ahead this spring in bringing you more super 8, on more screens.

Stay tuned for an announcement about our upcoming 10th annual event in Regina.

OTS8 Represents at $100 film Festival

2010-02-25T12:51:00.003-05:00

This coming weekend is the 18th annual $100 Film Festival in Calgary, AB. It' s a great chance to see celluloid projections on screen.

The One Take Super 8 Event has a strong presence at this year's event. Of the 44 films being shown at this year's festival 11 of them were made for past One Take Super 8 Events in Regina and Winnipeg (that's a third of all Canadian films in the fest).

So, if you haven't had a chance to see these super 8 originals since their premieres back in 2008/09, here's your chance. (If you can't make it to the festival, I've included links to some that are posted online. )

berny hi & Jemma Gilboy - Cinema Scelta (Regina 2008)

Brent Braaten - Typewritus Oceana (Regina 2008)

Daniel Suchoboki - Untitled 2 (Regina 2008)

Clint Enns - Back & Forth (Winnipeg 2009)

Helder Carvajal - Beez in the Hood (Regina 2008)

Jaimz & Karen Asmundson - Goths! On the Bus! (Winnipeg 2009)

Jeannie Straub & Jayden Soroka - Waaa? (Regina 2008)

Leslie Supnet - Sun Moon Stars Rain (Winnipeg 2009)

Lexi Rennebohm - Composition (Regina 2008)

Peter Brass - Breakfast (Regina 2008)

Terry Mialkowsky & Shannon Jardine - Bill Seaton's C.L.E.A.N. Filmmaking Guide (Regina 2008)

We're also thrilled that these past participants of OTS8 events are screening films at the festival this year. Congratulations to Philippe Leonard, Solomon Nagler, and Alexandre Larose.

OTS8 @ IMAGES Festival 2010

2010-02-01T17:32:00.007-05:00

So, we've finally arrived at the moment of big news for 2010 (that we've been hinting to for a couple months). It's now official, we'll be having our first OTS8 in Toronto! To make that news more exciting, we're holding it in conjunction with the esteemed Images Festival.

Want to know how to take part. READ ON!

25 new super 8 films will premiere at the 23rd Images Festival, running from April 1 to 10, 2010, and you could be the director of one of them. The 25 filmmakers will be selected by an open call lottery.

If you want to be included as one of the potential filmmakers, send your name, phone #, and film stock desired: Ektachrome (colour), Tri-X (b/w) or Plus-X (b/w) to onetakesuper8event@yahoo.com with the subject line heading 'IMAGES OTS8'.

The Images Festival One Take Super 8 Event is open to any one interested in making a film, but limited to GTA residents only. No experience is required (but creativity always appreciated). If you are unable to provide your own working super 8 camera, arrangements can be made if you are one of the selected filmmakers.

You can enter your name in the draw until Friday, February 12 (only one submission per person), at which time 25 names will be randomly selected and notified.

Those selected 25 filmmakers will pay a $40 registration fee and receive 1 cartridge of film (reversal stock only), processing and a premiere to a wildly excited Images audience! Filmmakers will have 4 weeks to shoot their film and return it for processing. What is shot, is what is shown. Filmmakers will not have a chance to preview or edit their film previous to the Images Festival screening.

THANKS TO EXCLUSIVE FILM FOR PROVIDING PROCESSING!!

THANKS TO LIFT FOR PRODUCTION SUPPORT!!

THANKS TO KODAK FOR SUPER 8!

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY Friday February 12th, 2010

WNDX + other OTS8 videos online!

2010-01-28T15:55:00.005-05:00

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.

OTS8 @ 8fest

2010-01-27T14:03:00.006-05:00

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.

LAST OTS8 of 2009

2009-12-08T18:11:00.004-05:00

We're finishing our OTS8 season in sunny Florida this Friday night (which sounds mighty appealing as the cold and snow encroaches on the great white north). The 24 films are on their reels, ready for the show. Click here to learn more about the event, featured in the Broward-Palm Beach New Times. It will be a packed house, so show up early to get a good seat (I know we're sounding a little repetitive with our 'show up early' warnings, but it's only cause we want you to benefit from reading our blog).

While we're busy premiering brand new super 8 films south of the border, we've been getting good news that some recent super 8 films from our Regina events will be travelling and screening in the new year. Ryan Hill's Light Camera Action (2008), and Helder Carvajal's Beez in the Hood (2008) have been selected for the 3rd annual 8fest in Toronto. In other screening news, Terry Mialkowsky and Shannon Jardine are busy screening two of their past OTS8 films in the new year. Bill Seaton (2008) will be playing at the Victoria Film Festival on February 6, and their 2006 film Belt Buckle/Quonset Hut (2006) will be playing at the Winnipeg Cinematheque on February 12, and 13th.

1:1 Super 8 Festival

2009-11-28T15:31:00.005-05:00

The warm Florida sun will be shining on our super 8 festival in less than 2 weeks! Here's the poster for the event. Makes you hungry, no? We've got 25 films at the lab, ready for pick up tomorrow. (Seems like I've been making daily runs to Exclusive over the past couple months). This will be the end of the One Take Super 8 Event season. 4 events, 3 provinces, 1 state, 100+ films. This will be a great way to finish off 2009, before we start planning for our 10th anniversary year (and not to give anything away, but we're in the makings of a great surprise in early 2010. Stay posted!)

Here's the list of participants whose films you'll see in Florida:

Sebastian Bellotti, Eddie Ceasar, Billy Chadwick, Pedro Fernandez, Christiane Foucher, Moriah Jordan, Steven Lambiase, Jarred Moore, Alexander Robinson, Matthew Schectman, Michael Spitale, Jacqulynn Sutton, Aynsley Thaler, Alberto Sanchez, Derek Taylor, Jay Forsyth, Eric Fuhrmann, Felipe Cardozo, Ryan Ratliff, Nicolas Sacci, Ian Rosenberg, Devin Brockwell, Katherine Skelton, Alex Rogalski

Montreal pics

2009-11-26T15:27:00.013-05:00

The pics do a good job of showing what a

night we had with Double Negative in Montreal. I'm particularly fond of the bikes piled against the fence (That's how we love people coming to our shows!) Daichi Saito's face is hidden while cleaning the projector, but his Elmo was a standout, handling 800 ft reels with no problem, and a super bright xenon lens. The big screen was perfect for the space, but almost too big, as we just fit it under the ceiling. Clearly, we didn't take any pics while the films were playing, but there wasn't a square inch of floor space empty. Luckily we found a way to raise the projector high enough so no one's head would block the light.

Double Negative OTS8 - Postively Amazing

2009-11-24T16:00:00.004-05:00

Sometimes when we broach the 30+ marks for films in an OTS8 event, I get a little nervous.
We usually set the limit at 25 filmmakers, but then some stragglers come in and beg to take part, and a couple others have a reel they shoot and want to submit, and before we know it, we're nearing 3 dozen films. Usually, this doesn't make me too nervous, as it's often inevitable, that people's schedules don't turn out and they land up not finishing a film in time. But recently, that's not the case. Winnipeg has consistently offered more than 30 films at WNDX, and Montreal couldn't close submissions quick enough. Barely a day after posting their call for films over 30 participants were paid up and ready to go (we didn't even have time to get the translated version posted).

So, when 33 films land on my doorstep waiting to be processed, I start asking a lot of questions.
1- Will the venue be big enough? (there's an exponential audience factor that directly correlates to how many films we show).
2- Will people be able to watch over 30 films in one sitting? I consider it a badge of pride for those who do. For example : "Hey, how was your weekend?" "Pretty good. I watched 33 films on Saturday night."
3- Will the projector hold up? This is always a concern, as super 8 projectors weren't really intended to show feature length films.

As is often the case, all the anxiety is unnecessary and things turn out wonderfully. This was the case on Saturday night in Montreal. High atop a 4 storey warehouse loft (La Brique) in Mile End, Double Negative set the stage for a film screening to remember. 33 films, packed house (standing room only doesn't really describe it), big screen, bright projector and a dizzying array of films from experienced veterans to first time filmmakers.

I'll post some highlights over the next few days (maybe I'll snag a Double Negative member to review some of the films). All I can say at this point is that I've seen over 500 films during the decade of OTS8 events, and I saw some films in Montreal that showed me things I've never seen before. It is stunning to believe what's possible through in camera edits. The versatility of this medium still hasn't been fully discovered and its exciting to know that OTS8 is help pushing its boundaries. There are some photos from the event, we'll post in coming days. If you were lucky enough to snag one of Marie Douce's hand made programs count yourself lucky. They were as unique and well crafted as the films, and a great memento from the night. Let's hope the DN crew is interested in doing this again, as it's clear there is a big demand in Montreal for some small guage film fests.

Regina Review and Montreal Poster

2009-11-10T11:05:00.006-05:00

The picture you're seeing is for our Montreal One Take Super 8 Event. Beautiful design and screenprint by Marie Douce. The digital image doesn't do them justice, but look for them hanging up around the city. Marie will be designing the programs as well.

Things are moving along for the Montreal event. The lab received the films late last week, and they're ready for pick up very soon. Expectations are high for this line up, and I know the films won't disappoint.

Can't believe it's already been a week since we wrapped up Regina's super 8 success. Yet again we had a capacity crowd well before the 8pm start, with people waiting outside the theatre for an intermission, hoping for a seat to open up. The highlight of this year's event were so many live performances to go with the films. Krystal Lewis followed up on last year with Mad Libs 2, providing a live interactive narration that got the crowd involved with a cinematic version of the board game. Eric Hill added another dimension to his 'Reversomotion' film (playing the film from tail end first), with his keyboard and amp in an improvised performance.

Brett Bell took it to another level doing a live foley for his pure one take. Assisted by Terryll Loffler on tin flute, Brett used office garbage bins to creative effect to replicate the sound of walking up steps and using a slide. And to end the live performances of the night we had a OTS8 first with Dan Suchoboki and another performer dressed all in black doing an interpretive dance in front of the screen during his film. Looked great and added a completely new dimension to his animated film.
These soundtracks and performances always make the OTS8 a must see event, as the live aspect expands the cinematic experience.

berny hi. and Jemma Gilboy collaborated on a cinematic love letter that crossed the pond, shot in both Edinburgh, Scotland and Regina, SK. It creatively, succinctly and very romantically showed the small differences between the couple's lives in places thousands of miles apart. The French new wave touches were perfect.

The buzz film of the night had to be 'Big Jim' directed by Charlie Hill. I can't count how many questions I was asked about who made the film, what camera they used, how incredible the shots were planned out, and more. As the director informed me, it was a family affair, as Charlie's sons Eric and Ryan (who have participated in OTS8 for many years) helped fulfill their dad's vision of a pure documentary portrait that pays homage to the verite docs of the NFB's Unit B. I can't describe the film anywhere near as strongly as it conveys its images, but it focuses on a pallette jack driver (Big Jim) working at a Canada Post sorting facility warehouse. It was a perfect subject for the use of super 8, and the B/W stock captured the light perfectly in the fluorescent lit warehouse.

28 films. great work. and another Regina OTS8 in the books. Thanks to everyone for coming out, to the filmpool for their support, as well as our sponsors SaskFilm, SMPIA, Exclusive Film, RPL Theatre and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. We're transferring the films at the moment, and with any luck will have DVDs ready for sale before the end of 2009.

TONIGHT!

2009-11-05T12:01:00.003-05:00

We're hours away from the premiere of 28 new Saskatchewan super 8 masterpieces.

Films - check
Soundtracks - check
Programs - being picked up at this very moment
Audience - eagerly awaiting tonight!

I'll admit I took a sneak peak at some of the films while splicing them on the hand winds, and it's going to be a fun night. Some zombies, cats, forklifts, laundromats, and animation. As always, it's a wide assortment of cinematic styles.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Show starts at 8 and we expect a packed house.

p.s. Look for a recap of the show tomorrow, and the new poster for the Montreal OTS8!

South of the border

2009-10-30T08:18:00.002-04:00

Well, we're 6 sleeps away from the 9th Annual OTS8 in Regina (excitement is building!). Hopefully, we can pick up the films from the lab before the weekend to splice them together. Looks to be an exciting mix of 28 films from across the province. The program is being designed at the moment, and soundtracks are trickling in.

While the wheels turn there, films are being finished up in Montreal, and will be sent to the lab soon. Anxiously awaiting their poster, and seeing the films projected with a Xenon lamp projector (it's an OTS8 first!).

But the reel excitement today is to announce a super 8 festival in Florida that the OTS8 is proud to present. We had the joy of going to Fort Lauderdale way back in 2006, and Shane Eason at Florida Atlantic University has organized another festival. The 1:1 Super 8 Film Festival is accepting submissions, and film is being handed out. The festival will be comprised of 30 South Florida filmmakers making single cartridge films.

The screening will take place at 7:30pm Friday December 11th, 2009 at Independent Working Artist Network's (IWAN) The Bubble - 810 NE 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

So, that makes 4 OTS8 events across the continent this fall. whew! and, as we always like to leave our fans with a teaser. Stay tuned for some big announcements for some interesting OTS8 adventures that are lining up for the new year. 2010 could start with a bang.

2009 Poster!

2009-10-14T12:52:00.006-04:00

Voila! As promised, here's your first look at the 2009 poster for the 9th annual OTS8 in Regina.

They're being screenprinted as I type this, and will be hanging up around your fair city within the week.

We'll have some available on sturdier paper at the event in Regina for those interested in a limited edition copy.

1 down, 2 to Go!

2009-10-14T11:12:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the delay in posting a review of the Winnipeg show, but festivals and flights have a way of exhausting people.

Where to start. Well, the first thing to say is that a combination of winter come early, and Russell Peters' sold out shows, still can't keep people away from the One Take Super 8 Event. Winnipeg showed up en masse (and early!) to witness the premiere of 34 new films at the Gas Station Theatre. It's our 4th year in Winnipeg, with 4 different venues, and this may have been the best yet. Big screen, great seats, full audio system, and a lobby with beer.

The projector held up yet again! I consider this the major achievement of every show, as I still haven't purchased back up belts, which seems to be the biggest risk at this point for projector failure. But the films played very smoothly and brightly.

With 34 films, there's too many to mention them all, but the night got off to a great start with Mathue Plouffe's Lumberjack: A Love story (which was an ironic follow up to Heidi Phillips beautifully rendered ektachrome film of a bonfire). Plouffe's humourous environmental tale created tree lovers of the bunch of us. Hard to top that film, but Curtis Weibe brought down the house with this B&W throwback ROCKET JOHN. This is a super hero we hope will make return trips to WNDX, and anyone who hooks up fireworks to someone's back for a One Take, surely deserves respect for that level of commitment. It was a flawless in camera edit, and a film worth seeing repeatedly. The narrative films are getting more sophisticated every year, from genre homages, to quirky 'only in Winnipeg' films. Hats off to Leslie Supnet for her animation which continues to experiment with the form, creating visual patterns that thrive on illusion.

A documentary that stood out in the evening came courtesy of Sunny Sidhu. A simple, yet very effective portrait of his father's daily rituals. It added depth to the evening's program that showed how much is possible in only 3 short minutes.
Another doc, which makes WHIP IT! seem like a hack effort was Kristin Andrews '$0 per Gallon'. This is the first roller skating super 8 film i think I've seen as a One Take, and it just showed how some things never go out of style (I'm talking super 8 and roller skates!) Melanie Safka's 'Brand New Key', was the perfect soundtrack, and I won't be surprised if this starts a roller revolution in the 'peg.

It's no stretch to say that Jaimz and Karen Asmundson created a super 8 film for the ages with their newest work 'GOTHS! ON THE BUS!'. People were doubling over at the visuals alone, but when you add their original soundtrack (which I've been singing to myself for days), it was clear that with a good idea, a few friends, a couple bus tokens and a super 8 camera, nothing is impossible.
I'm keenly awaiting the chance to see this film again, or for the soundtrack to be released ASAP.

So many more films to highlight, but sadly, unless you were there, any review won't do them justice. It was a fantastic evening and a perfect ending to arguably the best WNDX so far. No blizzard was going to hold down this festival, and there's no doubt anticipation is already building for next year.

But no time for looking back now, we're on the cusp of 2 more great OTS8's this fall. Regina is just around the corner. Later today we should be getting our poster proof (another Stacey Case collectible screenprint), and then the campaign begins to let the Queen City know it's about to be overtaken by super 8 madness. Films and soundtracks are pouring in, so now's the time to get the word out about seeing these great films.

Check back soon to see our spiffy new poster, I'll post a pic here.

WINTERpeg

2009-10-09T16:14:00.003-04:00

it's october 9th.
in Winnipeg.
and it's snowing. hard.

Winnipeg likes making visitors believe in its myths.

WNDX is off to a great start. great films. great filmmakers. and fantastic audiences. can't wait till sunday night to unleash the torrent of super 8 suprises on this wintery city.

Did our projector test at the Gas Station theatre yesterday. beautiful venue. we're using the white backdrop cyc as our screen, so it'll be super 8 LARGE! only 230-some seats in the venue, so it'll be cozy and full. the seats themselves are fantastic. the old style recliners that rock out unexpectedly if you're not used to them. just like the kind at Massey Hall in Toronto. they don't make them like that anymore. and the Gas Station theatre is pondering replacing them, as they don't have many left with spare parts as replacements. The seats have a history. they still look in great shape, but the theare tech was reticent to tell me where they came from. after some prodding,and assurance that they were cleaned well before they were installed, he fessed they came from an old 'adult' theatre on Main Street that was shuttered. classic. underground seats for underground cinema.

Mike Maryniuk from the filmgroup has been gathering the soundtracks (meanwhile finishing his newest film to follow up on CATTLE CALL, which is a 3-D blast and will premiere next week at the Ottawa Animation Festival). Mike has a new film in WNDX OTS8 this year, it includes robots and blurry lights. should be awesome.

more updates tomorrow. in the meantime I'll pass along the advice I received about walking at night in Winnipeg.
'it's safe walking around at night, just keep at least an arm's length away from passerby.' supposedly this is the best technique to avoid any unforeseen knifeplay. how can anyone not love this city.

C'est What?!

2009-09-29T10:49:00.007-04:00

Pardon the terrible title of this post, but I'm a sucker for bad punditry (and also a sucker for a wonderful Toronto Brewpub, known by the same name).

But the reason for this post isn't my butchering of French, but to inform the masses of what is looking to be the biggest and best OTS8 to hit Montreal. The participants who raced to sign up are all ready with film (way ahead of deadline), so I can only imagine they have ideas raging for what type of cinematic masterpieces they might concoct. Congratulations to Double Negative on spreading the word on this event to attract this stellar line up.

The list of filmmakers taking part is the best example of what the OTS8 sets out to do. Allow ANYONE (from first time filmmakers to advanced artists) to make a film and have it shown. And the fact that a large number of established, respected filmmakers have taken up the challenge, shows that super 8 is not a medium that is forgotten or past its best before date. Knowing many of these filmmakers previous works, I can all but guarantee that if you are attending the November 21 screening, you will see some amazing filmmaking. But without further adieu, here's the line up of filmmakers (in alphabetical order).

Hoda Adra
Stéphane Calce
Emile Cantin
Thierry Collins
Xarah Dion
Félix Dufour-Laperrière
Matthew Forbes
Jessica Fortin-Simard
Amber Goodwyn
André Habib
Bogdan Karasek
Isabelle Kirouac
Alexandre Larose
Karl Lemieux
Philippe Léonard-Brazeau
Ara Mahrejian
Eduardo Menz
Maude Michaud
Diana Mihalache
François Miron
Javiera Ovalle Sazie
Anita Pachulski
Michael Rollo
Adam Rosadiuk
Daïchi Saïto
Suzie Synnott
Malena Szlam
Roger Tellier-Craig
Emir Togrul & Ginga Takeshima
Mathieu Tremblay
Pierre-Luc Vaillancourt
Marcus von Holtzendorff
Steve Woloshen & Alexandra Grimanis

Did you blink!

2009-09-24T10:33:00.002-04:00

I knew we should have timed this. I think we have a new record in signing people up to take part in OTS8 events this fall. I thought Winnipeg was fast signing up 30 filmmakers (with a waiting list intact).

But Regina and Montreal both blasted out of the gates singing people up in records times, with both events reaching their participant limits well before the cut off deadlines.

That means film is in hands and cameras are rolling. I have word that 4 films have already been completed and returned in Regina.

With lots of sunshine on the prairies this week, hopefully people can make use of the bright light for their masterful super 8 films.

So the sad news is, there are no more openings for people to shoot OTS8 films for the events this fall. The good news is, let the anticipation start building for the screenings!!!

I'll be posting a blog in a couple days, giving some tips and hints for shooting a successful OTS8. Some handy pointers that will increase your chances of success, and bring your vision to the screen. Stay posted.

One Take Super 8 Nation

2009-09-21T12:09:00.003-04:00

The OTS8 is infectious. We're steamrolling into autumn with 3 great events.

Winnipeg will kick off the season with the 4th annual event to close out WNDX. All the spots are seized, cameras are rolling, and in a week or so, all the films will be ready for processing. We'll be premiering all the films October 11th at the Gas Station Theatre. This will be a great way to spend Thanksgiving weekend.

Regina follows that on November 5th. Submissions are still being accepted, but hurry, because over half the spots have been taken. We'll be showing all the films on November 5th at the Regina Public Library Theatre. We're starting our poster design now, and it will be another one of kind silkscreen print. Sure to be a collectible, and as unique as the films we showcase. Can you believe it's our 9th annual event. We're on the cusp of a decade of OTS8 films!

And, not to be left out of all this fun our friends in the east (at least from a prairie perspective) are planning an OTS8 for November 21 in Montreal! It's our 3rd time in Montreal, and we couldn't be happier about this event, partnering with our friends in Double Negative. They have their entry form ready online, and are willing to hook up first time filmmakers with ready to go cameras. More details about location (and their fabulous poster as well), in the days to come.

Looks like a great fall and the potential of over 100 new super 8 films to satisfy all your small gauge needs.

Zombies! Super 8! Claybank! oh my!

2009-09-09T13:37:00.007-04:00

I'm always one for adventurous super 8 film shoots, but this had the makings of being one to remember.

Jen Gennutt has posted this request. I highly encourage anyone with an interest to take part.

Here's the link to zombie shoot info - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122178744226

on the off chance you can't open the link here's the blurb:

"The time has come for the One Take Super 8 film festival and once again, I've decided to try and kill myself with a massive project.
This years film? You guessed it! Zombies!
But not just any zombies. No, that would be too easy.
The basics are these:
We're shooting it like it's a family on vacation. Car breaks down in a deserted town. Family laughs about it until zombies show up and swarm the car. Just for added effect, we're shooting it like it was shot in the 1950/60s and out in farming country.
So we need a bunch of 1950s farmers/zombies.
I'm going to do my best to provide some costumes and accessories along with some make-up, but if you have some period appropriate clothes you don't mind zombifying, that would be awesome.
One other thing and this is the tricky part - We're set to shoot in Claybank, which is located just outside Avonlea Sk.
It's going to be a blast and I know everyone is going to have fun. If you're willing to make the trip and help me out, you'll have my undying gratitude and you'll have a part in a (short and totally non-profit) film you can brag to all your friends about.

*One more thing guys - Claybank is going to cost me $5 a head when we go to shoot. I'm not going to tell everyone to bring $5 because this is something I knew was going to cost money and I don't care but if you'd like to contribute, that would be fantastic."

It's also been decided that we'll be meeting here in the city and then driving out. I'm telling everyone and anyone that we'll be at the south east corner of the southland parking lot (across from the chapters parking lot) Sunday, Sept. 13th at noon. I have a bunch of costume pieces for people who need them but if people could show up in darker work pants/fitted jeans or skirts and dark shoes (not runners) that would be fantastic. (I'm really just trying to stick with that 50's farmer/factory worker look).

Also, one more thing, I'm still looking for my "father" for the film. I need someone who looks like Mr. Sears catalogue 1950/Leave it to Beaver dad. You know? The really archetypal pipe smoking, suit wearing, "Mad Men" kind of guy. If you know anyone who might fit the bill I'd be in your debt.

Thanks again for all your help. You're the best!

-Jen

Please respond to Jen's email latefines@yahoo.com if you are interested or require further details of any nature.

I can't wait to see this film. Fingers crossed the zombies don't eat it at the lab. We always enjoy a good zombie film. Last year showcased Zombie Milk Run (which unfortunately didn't fit the end of the tale on the 50 feet of film). There was also a gem from 2004 - a Shawn Fulton epic, which involved zombies, and a watermelon eating contest.

p.s. the photo comes from another in camera zombie film make in Austin

9th annual entry form

2009-09-02T16:25:00.004-04:00

Here it is! The entry form for the 9th annual OTS8 event.
Fill it out, drop it off, pick up your film and start shooting! (Feel free to think of an idea somewhere in between).

If you don't have a working super 8 camera, never fear. The Sask filmpool has some available, and they're incredibly helpful in setting up to shoot your masterpiece. A few minutes of instruction and you're on your way (just be sure to take care of the camera, and return it on time).

Tell your friends, but don't wait. The first 25 to sign up and pay their fee are the first entered. and I don't want to see any tears.

SAVE THE DATE

2009-08-26T20:56:00.004-04:00

Hello One Take Super 8 Nation.

The date is upon us. Mark it on your calendar.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2009.

REGINA PUBLIC LIBRARY THEATRE

9TH ANNUAL ONE TAKE SUPER 8 EVENT

30 filmmakers. 30 films. One night.

you know the drill.

Stay tuned for the flow of info to follow soon.

First up will be the entry form available here next week.

Then we'll follow that up with another snazzy poster (it'll be another collectible).

So, if you're in Saskatchewan and reading this, start coming up with your ideas.

4th ANNUAL WNDX OTS8

2009-07-07T09:13:00.003-04:00

WNDX has just announced it's call for submissions for their 4th Annual One Take Super 8 Event to be held on October 11, 2009 in glorious Winnipeg.

This gives you a great opportunity to shoot your film over the summer, and see it premiered at this fantastic festival. Past films from these events have screened across North America and internationally, including films from highly acclaimed award winning Winnipeg filmmakers.

As we get more details about the screening venue and participants we'll post them here.

Days of Yore

2009-05-30T12:55:00.003-04:00

Found this link to the NFB that showcases the origniators of travelling picture shows across Canada. After being across the country by plane, train, and car, with projectors and film reels in hand, I have a lot more respect for what these pioneers were trying to accomplish. I wonder how many spare bulbs they carried with them when travelling across the bumpy washboard gravel roads of Saskatchewan.

Here's a great gallery to check out to see how most people came in contact with original Canadian movies, in the days before multiplexes, TV, and Youtube (and our very own OTS8).

If you're longing for some super 8 movies during your summer vacations, the OTS8 2008 Regina DVD is ready for purchase. If you're in Regina, you can buy them at the filmpool for $15. Or if you want, drop us a line at onetakesuper8event(at)yahoo.com, and we'll get you copy. The collection of 30 films are all on one DVD featuring great work from last November's event. The cases are beautifully screenprinted by Stacey Case (merchguy), DVD design by Terryll Loffler, and transfers done by Frame Discreet. It's as good of collection of small gauge film you'll find, and will tide you over until the next travelling super 8 projector comes through your town.

Syracuse REVIEW

2009-04-09T12:00:00.014-04:00

Wow, what a night. Took a few days to recover from the sold out, packed house premiere of Syracuse's 3rd annual OTS8. There's something quite fun, underground and exciting about hopping in a car packed with reels of films and a super 8 projector and heading for the border to showcase new films (more on border crossing later on). Funk'n Waffles played the consummate host yet again, and things keep getting better every year. Great screen and sound set up, with a lot of live performances for the films.

All the films were strong examples of how diverse, creative and powerful super 8 can be.
Christina Kolozsvary's film perfect combination of tightly composed soundtrack that completely raised visuals to a new level, lighting was amazing for the ektachrome stock giving it an ethereal feel. Phil Loeb & Mike Canale brought down the house with the kung fu, zombie flick. (What's a one take without an homage), great live soundtrack too, you almost forget you're watching a film with all in camera edits, with no chance to change anything.

Ashley Ferris and crew raised the roof with a little audience participation, dancing with their film and fantastic MIA soundtrack. Too bad the audience was a little timid, cause we could have lit that place on fire! KVJB was the perfect follow up to end reel 2, with a 'surround' sound live audio and some improvised commentary, keeping the night and films light and fun. Syracuse has completely tuned into the spirit of super 8, and it's great to see it take hold.

I dont' think I've ever seen a super 8 yoga film before, but Kyle Corea made it a reality. great colour tones and composition. I don't think video would have captured it in the same way. something about the light that seemed to work with the salutations.

Challenging themselves to do a true 'one take' Keech, Rose & Kohlbrenner brought it on with lessons on Fish Food, in a tightly rehearsed team effort. This is all the more impressive considering how much time and effort they dedicated to organizing the event and make for a seamless evening of film. As an added bonus to the full house, Jason Kohlbrenner set up a live webcast, which was well received. We'll be attempting to post the link here for those who missed the show. There's also plans to digitize the films for open screenings in Syracuse throughout the summer.

The Elmo ST-600 worked splendidly for the screening. Bright images in small spaces are always great. super 8 seen large is a highlight for those who have never seen it projected before. Some karma was floating around, as after the screening, while rewinding the films a belt released, rendering the projector inoperable. Luckily, a quick inspection back in Canada revealed that the belt just slipped off the main motor. A quick and easy fix, saving a search for a new belt. It's a joy having electronics that one can actually fix. Those projectors will outlast any DVD/VCR/MP3 player in the universe. It was also a bit risky travelling cross border without a spare bulb (oops), but I think there's a few more hours left in this one.

I've mentioned it before, but driving cross border or flying with a super 8 projector has received more than a few inquriries/ strange stares. The range of knowledge about what the thing actually is varies, but regardless, it never passes through security or customs without a thorough swab/inspection. Coming back into Canada received the most informed customs agent I've ever ran into the inquisition went as follows.

Border Agent :citizenship?
Me : Canadian
BA: purpose of trip?
M: visit friends
BA: bring anything back?
M: nope.
BA: what's in the box?
M: a projector
BA: what are you doing with it?
M: showing home movies to friends
BA: 16 or 8mm?
M: (inside my head 'WTF? this guy's good') super 8
BA: oh, bell&howell, or elmo?
M: elmo.
BA: you have super 8 films?
M: uhuh.
BA: where'd you buy the projector?
M: in Montreal ( picked it up from used Camera store. paid a decent price for it, but the thing is mint)
BA: you should get a customs form for the projector next time you travel across the border
M: really?
BA: yeah, those things can be worth something on ebay.
M: (playing slightly naive). oh really, I didn't think anyone used them anymore.
BA: oh sure, if they're in good condition you sell it for a decent price.
M: good to know.
BA: have a good day.

Now, this border agent might be a bit more informed, as this was a crossing close to Rochester (home of Kodak), so it's not untirely unlikely that he would know things about small guage film. Regardless, points to him for actually knowing what he was talking about and not looking dumbfounded like most security at the airport when they do that strange cloth swab to check for explosive residue. I always find it weird that they think for some reason, if someone wanted to use explosives, they'd pack them into a 30 year old super 8 projector. Seems like a lot of hassle and not very discreet. in any case. travelling with projectors is always good for strange conversations, and a little bit of public service, letting the population know that we still exist. (I wonder if DJs get the same speculation when they travel with turntables?)

Nominations, Awards

2009-03-26T11:27:00.004-04:00

A quick update on a few past One Take Super 8 Event films that are continuing a successful run at other festivals.

First off, Terry Mialkowsky and Shannon Jardine's film from the 2008 OTS8 in Regina 'Bill Seaton's Guide to Clean Filmmaking', has been nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award at the 2009 Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival in the comedy category. We'll be watching on May 23, to see them take home the wheat. This may mark the first time a super 8 film from OTS8 has been in direct competition with Rick Mercer.

Alex Larose's film Artifices #1 continues to screen around the world. It seem so long ago since we premiered it at the Pop Montreal OTS8 Event in 2007. He'll be screening in a special presentation of the Intenational Experimental Cinema Exposition's 'Masterpieces of New American Avant-Garde Film' at the Austrian Film Museum. This comes hot on the heals of Alex's win of best super 8 film at the $100 Film Festival in Calgary at the beginning of March. Congratulations! This is a good time to mention that there were a few OTS8 films that screened at the $100 film fest including Cake by Gerald Saul (OTS8 Regina 2007), With Care by Kevin Bacon (WNDX OTS8 2008).

And finally in this post, the wait is almost over, next week the 2008 OTS8 DVD from Regina is available for purchase! The complete colleciton of 30 films made for the November screening are now wondefully authored on a collector's DVD with individually screenprinted packaging (limited run). More details to follow.

Syracuse Line up 2009

2009-03-18T19:40:00.003-04:00

Tis the Season. We start the 2009 OTS8 year with a return to Syracuse , NY for their 3rd annual One Take Super 8 Event.

18 new films premiered at the illustrious underground Funk 'n Waffles. April 4th 8pm.
$3 admission

With films by:

Ashley Ferris, Phil Loeb & Mike Canale, Scott Austin, Alexey, Mark Povinelli , Elizabeth Greene, Jonny Fong & Phil Radkey, Adam Gold, Evan Ferrairo, Kyle Corea & Stone Dow, Erick Ferris & Gordon Brookes, Alex Jager, Brett Kashmere, Keech, Rose & Kohlbrenner, Kyle Corea & Mike Broderick, KVJB, Christina Kolozsvary

The films are on their way to Exclusive as I type, with soundtracks in their final stages. Looking forward to the screening and a new lot of films to welcome spring!

Manitoban Article

2009-02-10T19:01:00.002-05:00

Nice to get a screening preview, and this one comes courtesy of Damian Purdy at the Manitoban.
Although I'm honoured to be seen as a 'Winnipeger', I lay no claim to that statement in the article. Guess it slipped through the factchecker. In any case, nice for the screening to be noticed, and hopefully it brings out a few more eyes on Friday night.

Winnipeg OTS8 Showcase

2009-02-08T13:12:00.006-05:00

Here it is: the list of films/filmmakers showing this Friday (Feb. 13) at the Winnipeg Cinematheque. It's free admission and starts at 7pm (spread the word).

Cam Woykin
The Bourgeois Walk [Winnipeg, 2008, colour, sound]

Shawn Fulton
Lowlife [Regina, 2006, colour, silent]

Terryll Loffler
A Day Like Any Other [Montreal, 2005, colour, sound]

robert.daniel.pytlyk
STILL LIFE [Regina, 2007, B/W, sound]

Katherine Skelton
Four Corners [Toronto, 2005, colour, sound]

Jaimz Asmundson
Drawing Genesis [Winnipeg, 2007, colour, sound]

Josh Stanton
Poor Andy in The Wedding Ball [Winnipeg, 2007, B/W, sound]

Danielle Sturk
Reeds [Winnipeg, 2006, Colour, sound]

Solomon Nagler
Preliminary Notes on Gesture [Halifax, 2006, B/W, silent]

Vanda Schmöckel
Fred [Regina, 2007, B/W, sound]

Daïchi Saïto
Green Fuse [Montreal, 2007, colour, silent]

Andrea von Wichert and Arlea Ashcroft
Snapperdoodle [Winnipeg, 2006, B/W, sound]

Kyle Ketchemonia
Confidential [Regina, 2006, B/W, silent]

Terry Mialkowsky & Shannon Jardine
Belt Buckle/ Quonset Hut [Regina, 2006, colour, sound]

Dianne Ouellete
La Moo [Regina, 2006, colour, sound]

Scott Stephens
Spider Pig [Winnipeg, 2007, colour, silent]

Alexandre Larose
ARTIFICES [Montreal, 2007, colour, sound]

David Lopan
F$%kin' Wild! [Vancouver, 2003, B/W, sound]

Upd8tes!

2009-02-02T11:13:00.005-05:00

Busy few weeks for the OTS8. So time to catch up on past and upcoming news.

First, we had a fantastic screening at the Pacific Cinematheque on January 19th. So great to showcase super 8 to new audiences. An enthusiastic crowd was on hand, fostered I'm sure by the ongoing Project8 participants keeping the format alive and thriving on the west coast. It was a fast trip out west with projector and films in hand, and will be nice to return in the future and have a bit more time to see the small gauge work being made there. (will have to write a future blog about the joys of travelling through airport security with our ELMO projector and reels of film. Causes a few interesting looks and responses from people used to seeing laptops).

Speaking of project 8, a program of films curated by project director Julie Saragosa was screened at the second annual 8fest in Toronto this past weekend. An ecclectic batch of films, many made by first time filmmakers. Some great imagery with filmmakers adding hand painted colour to b/w work. The 8fest has committed to showing work on the original format (a festival after OTS8's heart), and Sam's Last Stand, a film made for the filmpop 2007 program in Montreal, was fortunate to be included in the Bagaroo, two! program. The highlight of the festival and the strongest argument for the legitimacy of super 8 as a unique artistic medium was a performance of White Calligraphy by Takahiko Iimura. Trash Palace was the perfect venue, with an intimate audience experience of this stunning exploration of projection, motion, language, light, and mythology. An unforgetable afternoon that can't help but make one feel that the possibilities with super 8 have yet to be fully explored.

Here's hoping that the new batch of films about to go into production for the 3rd annual Syracuse One Take Super 8 Event continue to push boundaries and build upon the success of the past two years. Plans are well under way with fillmakers signed up, and Funk 'n Waffles booked for April 4th. I'm already tasting a brownie waffle sunday.

But before we get to that screening (and the start of spring!), we're heading out west to Winnipeg to showcase a selection of work made for past OTS8's at the Winnipeg Cinematheque on February 13, at 7:00pm. Admission is free, so all the more reason to come out (as a nice Valentine's eve date), and see super 8 work never before screened in Winnipeg, as well as some films made for past WNDX OTS8 events! Later this week we'll be releasing the program details for the screening.

Syracuse 3rd annual One Take

2009-01-10T14:45:00.008-05:00

Our friends to the south (but not that south) are celebrating 2009 with their 3rd annual One Take Super 8 Event. Time must fly, cause it seems like only yesterday we were screening our first reels of super 8 in the newly minted Funk 'n Waffles. For more info about the event, and updates on signing up, screening details, etc. check out their new blog. The screening is set for April 4 at Funk 'n Waffles, so keep the date!

Go West!

2008-12-19T10:55:00.004-05:00

We're finally making our way to the west coast with a package of OTS8 films to start 2009. Hosted by the Pacific Cinematheque and co-programmed with DIM director Amy Kazymerchyk, Vancouver audiences will get to see works from past OTS8 events held across Canada. Many of the films were showcased at the Images Festival in Toronto, this past April, but there are a number of new films created this past fall in Winnipeg and Regina that will be screened as well.

It's an exciting package of 18 films, and it will be great to be showcasing the work in the the city that once housed the blinding light.
The screening will take place at 7:30 pm on Monday, January 19th.

We're also confirming a program at the Winnipeg Cinematheque in Mid February. It will be fantastic to return to the host of the WNDX One Take Super 8 Events with a number of Winnipeg super 8 films that made their premiere there, and will be screened again with work from other OTS8s.

Wishing everyone a happy holidays, and a super(8) new year! Thanks for making 2008 a banner year for the One Take Super8 Event.

8th annual a SUPER success

2008-11-11T16:51:00.006-05:00

We've wrapped up another incredibly successful One Take Super 8 Event in Regina, SK, with a sold out audience at the Regina Public Library Theatre. With 30 new films premiered it was a great night for local cinema, and 25 of the filmmakers were in attendance for the screening (some making it down from Saskatoon to catch their premieres).

A huge thank you to everyone who made a film and came out for the screening. Especially the help from berny hi, Jemma Gilboy and Tricia Martin from the Filmpool who made sure everything got done in advance to make the night a success. Also, thanks to Daniel Suchoboki at the RPL Film Theatre (for keeping us from getting a fire code fine!) robert.daniel.pytlyk. for handling our soundtracks (including last minute switches), and Trevor and Katherine for handling the door, while getting the programs out and selling buttons. This event only works because people are committed to the idea and willing to give their time and energy to make it a success.

Can't do the posting without mentioning the films. The only drawback (and it's really a positive) is that the projection booth at the RPL is so soundproof you can't hear the response to the films. But there were definite highlights. Returning filmmakers, Shawn Fulton, Tyler Banadyga, Jemma Gilboy and Berny Hi all turned in great efforts that continued to show their super 8 prowess. We also had some great films from first time filmmakers including Lexi Rennebohm, Matthew Yim, Brent Braaten and Helder Carjaval. All the films really showed what super 8 is capable of, and we're excited to get them on the DVD and ready to watch them all over again.

We'll be uploading photos from the evening soon, as well we'll post the cover story on the OTS8 from this week's Prairie Dog Magazine. We also had a feature story in the Leader Post that will be here in the coming days. In the meantime, keep checking back for more announcements as this OTS8 season winds down we'll be planning some retrospective screenings for the new year.

3 days to go!

2008-11-03T21:43:00.003-05:00

We're almost on the eve of our 8th Annual One Take Super 8 Event.

We've got a record 30 films ready to play this year, and they're back from the lab ready to be reeled up.

Excitement is definitely growing as we get closer to the premiere.
There's no doubt we'll have a packed house at the RPL, so if you plan on coming, show up early to get a seat!

Also, make sure you look out for the upcoming issue of the Prairie Dog. We are going to be on the cover! The Leader Post also did an interview with us, we're looking forward to seeing the article.

It's going to be a great year, looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Projector Review

2008-10-29T09:34:00.003-04:00

Jason Booth, a reporter from Red River College's student paper The Projector (how appropriate), came to the One Take Super 8 Event in Winnipeg, and filed this story.

Life’s Great in Super 8

Jason Booth

On a cold rainy Sunday night on Thanksgiving weekend, film lovers came out in droves to catch the premiere of 28 Winnipeg short films in the One Take Super 8 Event, the finale of the third WNDX Festival of Film and Video Art.

The films were shot entirely on Super 8 cameras in one take and feature only in-camera editing. Never before seen by the public, festival organizers or even the filmmakers themselves, the shorts were a big hit. Scenes of downtown Winnipeg, the Exchange, prairie fields, trains, scampering dogs, music, dance, nudity, animation, Chinatown, rocket-ships, horses, birth, death, and dolls with questionable morality, delighted the crowd of over 200 which packed the theatre at the Garrick Centre.

“This is a great crowd,” said Cecilia Araneda, WNDX Festival organizer. “Every year we’ve been beyond capacity. Last year in the Film Group studio, people were packed in like sardines.” The Winnipeg Film Group is one of the event’s major supporters.

“I don’t need to see the work to assemble the reels. It’s more exciting because no one’s seen it,” said Alex Rogalski, the man behind the event. “Filmmakers are experiencing this with the audience. It’s all about the anticipation and nervous excitement.” Rogalski, a programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival, started the event in Regina in 2000 as a way to get an audience for his friend’s films. Since then, he’s held over a dozen unique screenings in cities around North America. A $35 entry fee covers stock, processing and shipping. Filmmakers must be local. Beyond that, there are no other guidelines except time. “There’s no topic or theme, and we don’t seek out filmmakers,” says Rogalski as he prepares the first reel of the evening. “It ranges from personal home movies, to docs, to horror, to comedy. There could be hardcore porn up there in twenty minutes, we don’t know. We can’t prepare an audience for what they’ll see,” said Rogalski. “Even if it is the most offensive thing you’ve ever seen, it’s only on for 3:20,” he added. “And unlike a two hour feature, you get 28 films. You might see a couple you don’t like, but you might also see a few that will really stick with you.”

The One Take Super 8 Event came to Winnipeg in 2006 by way of Montreal. Rogalski was running the event there when he met WNDX Collective member Sol Nagler, who thought it would be a good fit for their festival in Winnipeg.

One of the festival’s more provocative films may have been among its most endearing. Established local filmmaker Deco Dawson presented an intimate home movie, which initially stunned the audience. The film shows his pregnant wife in a hospital bed, partially clothed, struggling through the pains of childbirth. The audience erupted with cheers and applause as the film ended with the first recorded images of Dawson’s newborn son in the hospital nursery.

Kevin Bacon, one of the event’s participants, was enthusiastic about the show, “Somehow these One Take films are always my best stuff. It might be because I know there’s only one shot at it, it won’t be perfect.” Bacon explains that his short was inspired by a Velvet Underground song, “I wanted to visualize the song. Apparently it worked, everyone seemed to like it.” This is my third entry and I’ve learned something every time,” Bacon said, offering some Zen-like advice for aspiring filmmakers, “Start a second after you should start. Stop a second before you should stop.” Bacon is already looking forward to his next entry, “For sure, I’ll be back every year.”

Not everyone was pleased with the lack of editing. There were a few comments from audience members that many of the films were underexposed or blurry. Although the crowd seemed pleased with his entry, filmmaker Joshua Stanton was disappointed. “The ending of my movie got cut off. Basically, our film ran out.” Stanton has participated in the event twice before, with better results. “The last two were perfect. But, you take the risk that you may not get exactly what you want,” he said.

“It was great. The birth film was great. This is raw directorial talent, unfettered by the editing process,” said Matthew Rankin, winner of the Special Jury Prize for his film Hydro-Lévesque, in the WNDX Festival’s New Prairie Cinema category. “Some of them really worked, but some of them were overly ambitious.”

“We really like that it’s bringing in filmmakers new to the craft,” said Tara Walker, Executive Director of On Screen Manitoba, the event’s sponsor. “The process isn’t that daunting and it’s cost effective, so it’s pure creative filmmaking.”

Dave Fort, a friend of one of the filmmakers, was pleased with the event. “It was very good,” said Fort, “It’s going through some growing pains, but that might be its beauty”

WNDX review

2008-10-16T08:43:00.011-04:00

The 3rd Annual Winnnipeg edition of the One Take Super 8 Event has come and gone at WNDX and was another fantastic success. Closing out the festival, we had a great crowd show up at the Garrick Theatre to see 28 new films by Winnipeg filmmakers. This venue was once part of a multiplex built in the 70's, but closed as a movie house in the late nineties. It was nice to once again show celluloid in this 600 seat theatre. As their site describes the space -
"This 600-seat theatre has been fitted with a remarkable array of audio-visual equipment. A state of the art facility, Garrick One features a stage, twenty-foot-wide motorized screen, outstanding digital projection equipment, high tech sound and lights, and a touch screen control system with LED monitor built right into the podium. The touch screen technology puts control of your presentation right where it belongs -- at your fingertips. Garrick One is ideal for any type of presentation or performance."
Too funny, that with all that high tech equipment at our fingertips, we bring in a 30 year old projector.

I have to admit there was a lot of skepticism that my ELMO ST1200 wasn't up to the job of throwing the distance to the screen. We set up on the podium that separates the two tiers of the theatre and managed to convert the naysayers with a big bright image that really showed off the Ektachrome and 2 b/w reversal stocks used for the films. It's suprising what a 150W bulb in a dark room is capable of (not to underestimate the power of a good lens).
The night started with a bang, with Kevin Bacon (no, the other Kevin Bacon) creating a smart but fun narrative about a man shipping himself in a box to his love in Paris. Things don't turn out so sweet when he arrives. Leslie Supnet also raised the bar with a fantastic piece of cut out animation. A definite highlight and a true One Take came from Cam Woykin, in his 'Weekend' inspired tracking shot following a love story on a prairie highway. Stephane Oystryk pulled a similar page from the new wave playbook, with an intimate portrait of a jeune fille. The evening contained a few surprises, some of which got a little naughty, but in a quirky Winnipeg way. And what would a Winnipeg film fest be without a train film, provided by David Streit who created a great live soundtrack with vinyl, to support his black and white documentary of a cross Canada Train trip. Too many other great films to mention, showcasing the eruption of talent that makes Winnipeg an epicenter of independent cinema in Canada.
The night carried on after the screening in the lobby,where the "‘70’s retro décor creates a funky atmosphere for any event." And not to be remiss, I have to mention the late late party which contained some die hard filmmakers making a trip to a Winnipeg icon, The Salisbury House to continue to chat about the evenings hits, and not quite hits. Salisbury House and super 8 at 3 am, icons of another era finding a niche in this 21st century.

If you want to see more photos from the event (or want to add some) you can check out our Facebook group page. Thanks to Gerald Saul for the photos in this post.

2008 poster!

2008-09-30T15:41:00.002-04:00

We have just finalized our poster design for 2008. Thanks to Stacey Case a.k.a. MerchGuy, for doing the design (he also runs a killer cinema called TRASH PALACE). These are handmade silkscreened posters, which you'll be seeing up around Regina in the next week or so. We'll also have some printed up on premium sheets that are available for sale at the event on the 6th.

We'll be needing some volunteers to put up posters, so let me know if you want to help out to promote the event.

All the entry forms are in. We'll be announcing the line up of filmmakers for this year's event next week. Happy shooting to all those who are taking part.

Say What! 8 is ENOUGH!

2008-09-03T11:38:00.003-04:00

Here it is, entries are now open for this year's 8th annual One Take Super 8 Event.

Click on the jpeg, and you'll have the form. (or if that doesn't work e-mail onetakesuper8event@yahoo.com and I'll send you a pdf)

Entry is limited to the first 25 filmmakers. The deadline to sign up is Friday, September 26 (4pm), with your fee paid at the Saskatchewan filmpool.

SUPER 8 TODAY article

2008-09-01T16:25:00.005-04:00

Here it is. You can read the review of our Oberlin show this past April right here by clicking on the jpeg. Thanks to Chris Cottrill for publishing it (and a great magazine) and to Mandy Szostek for writing the review. If you enjoy the article, be sure to pick up a copy of the full magazine, or better yet, get a subscription.

SAVE THE DATE for OTS8!

2008-08-26T13:12:00.003-04:00

Mark it on your calendar - NOVEMBER 6, 2008 - Regina Public Library Theatre
This will mark the 8th annual One Take Super 8 Event, premiering over 25 new films made by local filmmakers.

The One take Super 8 Event returns to where it all began to celebrate its 8th anniversary. Starting September 3, entry forms will be available right here, with limited spots available (Saskatchewan residents only). No previous filmmaking experience is required.

The 8th Annual OTS8 would like to thank its supporters -
The Saskatchewan Arts Board
Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative
Regina Public Library Theatre

WNDX OTS8 - SOLD OUT!

2008-08-15T09:20:00.002-04:00

Wow, when we told you not to wait to sign up for the Winnipeg edition of OTS8 at WNDX - you took us to heart. As of yesterday, they closed up their call for submissions having 30 eager participants ready to shoot their hearts out. Sorry if you missed out this year, but congrats to everyone who signed up. You've got almost 2 months to make your masterpiece, and experience the anguish of not seeing it until October 12! Looking forward to seeing all of the films.

WNDX OTS8 Sign up!

2008-08-12T11:54:00.005-04:00

WNDX had opened submissions for their 3rd Annual OTS8. The event is limited to the first 25 people to sign up and pay the $35 entry fee. Don't wait as these spots fill up quick. This event is limited to Manitoba residents only and the deadline to pay your fee is August 22. You can download the form here.

From their website:
For the third year in a row, WNDX will once again host the Winnipeg edition of the One Take Super 8 Event. In just a few short years, this event has become one of the most important incubators for new works in Manitoba. Films completed for prior editions of the WNDX event have gone on to be selected for screenings at Images, Antimatter, the $100 Film Festival, the Festival de Cinemas Differents in Paris, among many more.

The premise is simple. Participants sign up on a first come, first served basis and do no need to have any previous filmmaking experience. The $35 participation fee is used to cover the material costs associated with participation - film stock, processing and shipping. Films are then shot in one take (no cuts, no splices - the only type of editing this is allowed is in-camera work) and filmmakers view their works for the first time at the event final screening, alongside the audience.

Summertime plans

2008-08-06T16:03:00.003-04:00

Wow. Already August. This means we're nearing our fall roll out of OTS8 events.

WNDX is in the planning stages and will be announcing the call for submissions for their 3rd annual OTS8 very soon. I can't say enough good things about this festival. Incredible prairie avant garde films, great guests and workshops, and needless to say (but I will anyways) a very enthusiastic super 8 crowd who always shows up in a big way for our past events. Great films and a great audience, can't wait for this year's batch. This year we're tentatively booked in a new venue for the event, which is exciting. (I won't give it away, but it's a downtown theatre) After the Graffiti Gallery and film group studio, we're giving the event a bit more of a traditional cinema space. Here's hoping the films are all the more outrageous.

We're also full steam into planning our 8th!! annual OTS8 in Regina for early November. We're planning to make it a 2 night affair, showcasing our program of selected super 8 films from past OTS8s that we premiered at IMAGES this past April. It's a great chance to see some of the original films coming out of Regina, as well as films from Winnipeg and Montreal.

Speaking of the NO CUTS NO SPLICES package, we're making plans to showcase the program in Winnipeg at the cinematheque in early 2009, as well as finally reaching our super 8 grip to the far west with a screening at the Pacific Cinematheque. Once we have all this firmed up with dates and times, we'll post it all here.

And finally, we've made the press. Super 8 Today posted a review of our Oberlin show in the most recent issue. We'll have it here shortly, but if you can't wait, why not subscribe to this super 8 dedicated publication!

8th Annual One Take is gearing up

2008-06-21T16:50:00.005-04:00

The Saskatchewan Arts Board has approved our application, and is on board as the principal sponsor of this year's 8th Annual One Take Super 8 Event in Regina.

We're in the deep planning stages for this year's event. Once we have a date and location locked, we'll keep everyone updated!

Also, in the good news category:
Michael Rollo's 2005 film Patience is representing OTS8 in Greece.

Check out the link to see their very cool fest, especially unique in that they're filling the streets with super 8.

Would be nice to be there.

8 years strong!!!

2008-06-16T20:12:00.006-04:00

Hard to believe that a very symbolic 8 years ago today we were recovering from our very first One Take Super 8 Event. Sure we were thrilled that the projectors didn't shred anyone's film, and that 21 new films had been created in our film community, but no one had any idea that it would lead to over 300 films in 7 cities, with screenings of the films all over the world. Quite an accomplishment for a little film fest from Regina, Saskatchewan.

And who knew then that I would still be able to buy super 8 film today (keep in mind, e-mail was just becoming common, DVDs were from the future, and saying facebook would make you sound illiterate. not to mention 'blogging' - forgive the irony). So, to honour our prestigious anniversary and humble beginnings, I've decided to post our program book from that night (as I luckily never lost a copy over the years).
Thanks again to Shawn Fulton for knowing how to use photoshop to help do a layout, during one sleepless night. Although the layout was high-tech, the printing was done covertly at an undisclosed office who, kindly but unknowingly, donated their xerox machine. I was good enough to bring my own glossy paper, and did a bang up cut and staple job minutes before the screening. Lots has changed since that night. Over half of the filmmakers no longer live in Regina. The antechamber exists only in spirit, and in many ways was ahead of its time but so needed at that point. OTS8 now owns its own projectors, splicer, and no longer has to beg for free beer in order to put on the festival. I hope to post the newspaper article that was written about our event, but it will take a bit of digging in the OTS8 archive. in the meantime, enjoy the program contents.

INTRODUCTION
From a book I dusted off.

"The Nature of Movies. Movies mean what their name says: motion, action, subjects that move. But animated snapshots in which the subject, making a face, walks toward the camera, won't make a movie. The movement must have meaning. It must deal with events of interest: experiences, adventures, incidents. From this it is clear that movies are a story-telling medium." KODAK MOVIE PHOTOGUIDE, 1959

to the film-makers; keep up the effort.
to the viewers; thanks for filling seats.

ONE TAKE SUPER8 EVENT DIRECTOR

SPONSORS:
SASKFILM
BIG ROCK TRADITIONAL PURE BEERS
SMPIA

Filmmaker - Title
Danny Scavusso
Troy Rhoades
Steve Cameron
Katherine Skelton - Overexposed
Nicholas Phillips - Warning
End of Program 1 - there will be a 5 minute intermission between each program

Shawn Fulton - Dogs
Terryll Loffler - Exit
Alex Rogalski - 1/4" = 7 miles.
Percy Fuentes
Jason Britski - June 4th
Dave Johnson - Bad News TV
Craig Dickin
Gerald Saul - Archipalageo
End of Program 2

Tyler Banadyga - Painting in Progress
Shane Eason - JC
Jordan Epp - Wash Day
Jesse Linklater
Michael Rollo - Brain Damage
Seema Goel - IM8
Brett Kashmere
robert.daniel.pytlyk. - when rest is assured.
end of one take super8 event

THANK YOU:
Peggy @Kodak Canada
Exclusive Film
Terryll Loffler
Shawn Fulton (big up!)
Crystal Massier
Nick Miliokas

IMAGES recap

2008-04-17T10:45:00.003-04:00

It takes a while to recover from late night screenings and the three weeks of super 8 bliss we've recently enjoyed, all capped by our recent screening at the Images Festival last Friday.

We've posted new photos from the events on facebook, so check them out and add your own if you like.

The No Cuts. No Splices. showcase was a great success at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. Toronto has a great appetite for small gauge cinema, and the capacity crowd was enthusiastic and committed to staying up well past the midnight hour to see some great work that has come out of the OTS8 over the past few years. It's hard to say there was a crowd favourite film in the bunch, as each work seemed to find its own fan (this only speaks to how diverse the audience was). We had 9 filmmakers in attendance, which gave people a great opportunity to mingle after the screening, and find out more about how these 'shoot and show' films were created.

The silent films of the evening were unintentionally accompanied by a vigorous karaoke party happening next door. But ultimately, this lead to some serendipitous pairings. You can read a review of the show on Images blog. We're getting some interest in hopefully doing other screenings of this package of films at other festivals across Canada, so we'll keep you posted on when the show might be coming to a town near you. In the meantime, that's the bulk of our spring season, as we start to prepare for the fall. Winnipeg is already getting its wheels turning for their 3rd Annual event at WNDX, and preparations for our 8th annual in Regina are well underway. Over the next couple of months, we'll be doing some retrospective pieces on OTS8 history, as we get a bit sentimental about this nostalgic format.

COMING SOON!

2008-04-10T08:13:00.003-04:00

The films are reeled, filmmakers are arriving and it looks like our launch of OTS8 super 8 films in Toronto is on track to be a hit.

For those wanting to come here's the fine details.
Friday April 11th, 11pm
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom (1214 Queen west)
18 super 8 films projected in their original format as part of the Images Festival, sponsored by CFMDC.

It should be a great night, but show up early, as seating will be limited.

On Friday afternoon, to warm you up for the evening, OTS8 Organizer Alex Rogalski will be the guest of Super 8 legend John Porter, on CKLN radio's Cinephobia. From 2:30-3pm they'll be discussing all things super 8 and give a preview of what to expect on Friday night. You can listen to the show online, by clicking on the listen live link on their webpage.

As a side note, the Cambridge International Super 8 Festival (their second year) has just released their program for their upcoming festival April 24th-26th, and their only selected Canadian films were both part of previous One Take Super 8 Events. 'Walk this Way' by Alex Rogalski will screen in Competition Programme 4 on Saturday night (April 26). Katherine Skelton's documentary 'Wala Mayroon' (the longer edited version of her one take from 2002 'Sunday in Mandaue') will screen in Competition 2 Programme on Friday night (April 25th).

And finally, congratulations to Terryll Loffler, whose film 'A Day Like Any Other' from the OTS8 program in Montreal in 2005 will be part of the Antimatter Film Festival's touring package which will screen in Mexico as part of Estacionarte 08 (link in Spanish for those who are interested). If you want a chance to see the original kodachrome version (and can't make it to Mexico) we'll be showing it as part of our package at the Images festival on Friday night.

S.O.S. Review

2008-04-06T17:47:00.004-04:00

We're blushing. We knew Friday night in Oberlin was something special, but it was very nice of Brian Doan to say so in his review posted on his blog Bubblegum Aesthetics. We're still recovering from the road trip back north of the border, but promise to get some photos up on our Facebook group soon (including some new ones from Syracuse).

Now, we're just counting the sleeps till our big Toronto show at the Images Festival. Five more by my count. We're excited that over half the filmmakers will be in attendance as well.

If you've been at the recent shows, let us know what you thought in our comments (or just comment so that we know we have some readers).

S.O.S Standing Room Only

2008-04-05T01:01:00.005-04:00

Wow. What a night. You'd swear there was a revival taking place at the Fairchild Chapel as OTS8 presented S.O.S (Super 8 Oberlin Showcase). Standing room only is putting it too politely, as the doors were kept open through the entire first reel, as the audience peered around corners trying to catch a glimpse of the 28 premiere films (we'll be posting the program and photos soon). Oberlin Cinema Studies Professor Brett Kashmere and his students outdid themselves on producing a fantastic screening filled with many surprises. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers who took part, almost all of whom had never heard of super 8 before, let alone shot a film.

We also had guests from across Ohio, including filmmakers from Cleveland who plan to review the show for 'Super 8 Today'. Looking forward to seeing their pics on facebook soon.

What more can be said, with a prayer our Elmo projector keeps ticking, and the films looked amazing on the chapel altar. From live soundtracks (including chip eating and milk drinking), to pre-recorded work, the students put in their all to create exciting new films and share them with a fantastic crowd (many willing to sit in the chapel aisle brick floor for 2+ hours !) We'll be posting more about this event in the next few days so stay tuned (including an interview with organizer Brett Kashmere)

Cleveland Rocks (actually Oberlin does)

2008-04-02T12:37:00.002-04:00

The Cleveland Free Times has given us some page space for the upcoming Super8 Oberlin Showcase (SOS) taking place Friday April 4th at the Fairchild Chapel on the Oberlin Campus.

Click here to check out the article - scroll down to 'Super 8 Oberlin Showcase'.

The films are back from the lab, and tonight they make the 6 hour trek to Oberlin before being assembled and premiered to the anxious masses. We'll have a review of the show (and some photos) posted here by the end of the weekend.

Syracuse Review

2008-03-30T13:34:00.004-04:00

Another 20 films are now part of One Take Super 8 Event history thanks to a fantastic event presented by the Dropped Frames Media Society in Syracuse, New York. Jess Lance and her crew did a great job of organizing the filmmakers, and Funk 'n Waffles were our gracious hosts and we packed the place to premiere the new films.

A first for OTS8 was presenting a live stream of the event out into cyberspace. Thanks to Jason Kohlbrenner for taking the inititive to set it up. We're seeing if we can make it available on demand for those who missed the event. Jason Kohlbrenner along with Brianna Kohlbrenner, Ken Keech, Vanessa Keech, Kazov Keech, and Brendan Rose were behind two of the nights many crowd favourites. Of particular note was 'Snow Shovel - Car got Stuck', which was a great homage to a 2006 OTS8 film by Terry Mialkowsky and Shannon Jardine 'Belt Buckle - Quonset Hut', made in Regina, but shown in Syracuse last year.

A big thank you to all the filmmakers who took part, and especially to all those who got really imaginative with performative audio pieces to accompany their films. From a cappella singing to spoken word, handheld harp to DJing from a cellphone's ring tones - it was exciting to hear creative approaches to live sound design.

You can see some pictures from the event posted on our facebook group, thanks to Brett Dougherty (who also designed the program and ran our audio for the screening).

Syracuse Filmmakers

2008-03-26T11:12:00.007-04:00

We're getting close. The films are at the lab (thanks Exclusive), the projectors are cleaned, and as I type, soundtracks are frantically being assembled.

Syracuse is playing host to its second One Take Super 8 Event and it looks to be a great sophomore year. These are the filmmakers who took up the challenge and anxiously await their premieres on Saturday night:

Harrison Willis
Philips Payson
Jess Lance
Kyle Corea
Jason Kohlbrenner / Brianna Kohlbrenner / Brendan Rose / Vanessa Keech / Kazov Keech
Ken Keech
Brett Dougherty
Christina Kolozsvary / Kyong Lee
Emily Vey Duke and Cooper Battersby
Ryan Tebo
Aaron Katz
Yu-Lun Shinh
Ryan Silveira
Jinhee Park
Guy Carlo
Adam Gold
Nick Ramsdell
Lindsey Leanard
Matthew Michael

The screening is March 29, 2008 from 5-8pm at Funk 'n Waffles. Should be a great night!

South of the Border

2008-03-20T08:26:00.008-04:00

It's that time of year again. We're marking the start of the 2008 season of OTS8 with two shows in the US in the next couple of weeks.

First up is the Syracuse One Take Super 8 Event. After a successful beginning last year with a sold out audience and great new work showcased at Funk 'n Waffles, we're back again this year. Organizer Jessica Lance has been busy getting filmmakers signed up, and on March 29 from 5-8 pm we'll be premiering a whole new slate of films from the Salt City.
click here for a map.

Two states over, the One Take Super 8 Event is pleased to present S.O.S (Super8 Oberlin Showcase) organized by Brett Kashmere (who incidentally brought the OTS8 to Syracuse in 2007). See the line up for the Oberlin show at the bottom of this post.
SOS will take place April 4, 2008 at Fairchild Chapel 50 W. Lorain St. Oberlin OH
click here for a map.

And, if you haven't checked out our Facebook group recently, we've updated it with photos from past One Take Events in Regina, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa and Syracuse. If you have some pics from past OTS8's you'd like to share, please pass them along.

The line up for SOS is: Benjamin Baker-Smith, Jonathan Comeau, Cody Darling, Lena Dunham, Adekemi Gbadebo, Chris Gentes, Stephen Graves, Leah Greenberg, Gordon Holmes, Nicholas Hoskins, Avital Isaacs, Sara Krugman, Alison Luby, Sean McKeown, Ben Neufeld, Peter Nowogrodzki, Ian Page, Ally Paz, Matthew Presto, Lucas Rainey, Max Rivlin-Nadler, Sarina Roma, Andrew Roth, Jack Ryerson, Deb Sperling, Willie Thurlow, and Nicholas Weiss.

We'll be posting more updates as the events approach.

OTS8 at IMAGES 2008

2008-03-11T10:46:00.006-04:00

For the first time, the One Take Super 8 will showcase a selection of films from past One Take Super 8 Events at this year's Images Festival in Toronto.

18 films from various years and events (including Regina, Montreal, and Winnipeg) will be presented April 11th, at 11pm at the Gladstone Ballroom.

Included in the program:

Joshua Stanton - Poor Andy in 'The Wedding Ball'
Mike Rollo and Amber Goodwyn - Sunday Afternoon
Terryll Loffler - A day like any other
Brett Kashmere - dreamed on a morning, starved for immediate night
Arlea Ashcroft and Andrea Von Wichert - Snapperdoodle
Daichi Saito - Green Fuse
Katherine Skelton - Winter Schedule
Jaimz Asmundson - Drawing Genesis
Solomon Nagler - Preliminary Notes on Gesture
Jessie Dishaw - Shootout at the Watering Hole
Mike Maryniuk - Fish Arms
Shawn Fulton - Changing the Face of Cinema
Vanda Schmockel - Fred
Alex Rogalski - Walk this Way
Danielle Sturk - Reeds
robert.daniel.pytlyk - Still Life
Alex Larose - Artifices
David Lo Pan - F$%kin' Wild!

Stay tuned for more news on these films and filmmakers as the event draws near.

Films at Fests

2008-03-04T18:13:00.008-05:00

The One Take Super 8 Event began as a way for filmmakers to create new work without all the pressures an amateur filmmaker faces. Low-cost, in camera films, that are guaranteed an audience if they are finished. What’s more exciting is when after their premiere at a One Take Super 8 Event, these films go on to screen at other festivals – showcasing what is possible with a single reel of super 8 and a ‘little’ creativity.

The $100 Film Festival in Calgary, a stalwart of ensuring celluloid still gets projected, just announced this year’s line up with a great selection of OTS8 films in the program. After Mike Maryniuk’s best of fest super 8 film Fish Arms at the 2007 festival, maybe another winner will come from this year’s batch.

Bury the Baby - Stephane Oystryk
Spider Pig - Scott Stephens
Now She Sees Him - Kevin Bacon

These films had their premiere at WNDX’s One Take Super 8 Event in October 2007. Sol Nagler and Robert Pasternak are also past OTS8 participants who have films playing at the $100 dollar film fest.

While we’re on the topic of super 8 film screenings. Toronto was recently host to the inaugural ‘8fest’. Showcasing a diverse array of all things small gauge, Saturday night’s program ‘Bageroo’ focused on super 8 films by experimental filmmakers. A number of past One Take films found their place in the program, including:

10 Mega-Actions to Supermaximize your Happiness Potential - Brett Bell (Regina 2003)
listen and you will hear her cry - Roger Wilson (Ottawa 2007)
Hockey Night in Vanier - James Lumsden (Ottawa 2007)
Cooking with Cronos and Rhea - Ainsley Walton, Greta Grip, Sheilah MacKinnon (Ottawa 2007)
Land of living skies - Alex Rogalski (Regina 2006)

Cooking with Cronos and Rhea was actually a great example of the tenacious spirit of super 8 filmmakers. Unfortunately, the film didn’t work out the first time for Ainsley and her crew, so it didn’t get a premiere in Ottawa. But a good idea is too good to waste (especially when it only costs you one extra cartridge of Tri-X), so they re-shot and have a fantastic film to show for it!

Congrats to all the filmmakers who are showing your work at these festivals. If you’ve made a One Take film for a past event and have recent/upcoming screenings, let me know and I’ll post it here.

super 8th anniversary!

2008-03-01T20:11:00.005-05:00

In celebrating our 8th! anniversary, we've started this blog to let our many friends keep up to date on all new OTS8 activity. 2008 looks to be another fantastic year, with exciting announcements coming soon! So check back often.

We'll also be posting articles and links that look back on our 7 years of super 8 success, and track some of the films which have travelled the world. So please tell your friends, and if you've taken part in an OTS8 drop us a line, as we'd love to hear what you've been doing (or making!)

That's all for now, but we're looking forward to spreading our presence world wide!