Star Phoenix Preview

In case you haven't had a chance to read it, here's the link to the Star Phoenix article published in Saskatoon before our event, or you can read it below.

Photo credit: Gord Waldner - Star Phoenix

Story by Stephanie McKay

In 2009, Callen Diederichs filmed a 3½-minute movie. He filmed the breakup story all in one take on a silent movie format, using T-shirts to illustrate the dialogue. It was his first time using a vintage Super 8 camera and he wasn't allowed to reshoot. He saw it for the first time with an audience in Regina.

It was One Take Super 8, and it's being held in Saskatoon for the first time this year.

"It was a little nerve-racking because you don't know if it's going to turn out," Diederichs said. "With this. you have no idea if it's going to be three minutes of blackness or if it's going to be out of focus or just kind of dumb."

Diederichs has since filmed a Super 8 music video for a friend and completed another One Take Super 8 film that he will see for the first time.

This year, he was especially nervous because there were concerns some of the cameras weren't working properly. There's a chance some of the films didn't turn out at all. But there's something exciting about that uncertainty. Diederichs' first One Take Super 8 turned out so well he submitted it to other film festivals.

Diederichs helped organize the Saskatoon event after the founder, Alex Rogalski, contacted him about using his workplace, the Roxy Theatre, as a venue.

Rogalski, who works in Toronto as a programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival and Hot Docs, started One Take Super 8 in Regina in 2000. It started as a one-off event meant to give him and other filmmakers the chance to screen their work publicly.

"I knew if I made a four-minute film it would be hard to get people to come out to see it but if 20 people made a four-minute film there may be more of a chance to get people to see my film and other people's films at the same time," he said.

One Take Super 8 has now been held all over North America. At least 800 films have been made for the events. There is no competition and no prizes, just an opportunity to share and be creative.

When the project started 13 years ago, Super 8 was a very old moviemaking format that people weren't really using. Since then, the format has become trendy, with wedding videographers using it and apps to mimic its signature look.

"We've waited long enough that we've come back around to being cool," Rogalski laughed.

But for Rogalski it was never about being cool. It was about giving anyone access to make a film and share it in public.

He's excited people are curious about it.

"It's kind of fun to see something that you don't get to watch immediately and show your friends. You have to wait a few weeks after making it hoping that what you took pictures of will show up on screen."

Though a filmmaker is permitted to stop and start the camera while filming, once something has been shot it's part of the final movie, good or bad.

The reel is about 3 1/2 minutes long and is silent. The only limitation is the dwindling film stock. Super 8 cameras haven't been manufactured for decades, but a small amount of film is still available.

While it can be tricky to get a hold of the film, the technology is sound. Rogalski is still using the same Super camera he picked up in 2000.

"All it has ever needed are new double-A batteries. It still works really well and consistently. I can't think of a single cellphone that would last that long."

Rogalski said every city has a bit of its own personality and he's excited to see what the Saskatoon filmmakers come up with. The event will feature 15 local Super 8 films and a few bonus ones. It's free to attend.

"These are personal films. They are kind of unique. Some might call them experimental but they do reflect a community arts spirit," Rogalski said.

Diederichs said he's excited to see the variety of films people create and to see how the last minute of his film turns out. With all the pre-planned shots finished as their crew filmed by the riverbank last month, there were 60 seconds remaining on the reel. Diederichs' cast improvised at the end.

"It got progressively sillier," he said. "I'm really looking forward to laughing at what's going on."

Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Festival+projected+unique/8507504/story.html#ixzz2Xw6O2y6t