Syracuse wrapping up shooting. Anticipation builds!

The Salt City is getting near its screening as production wraps up on its super 8 films to screen at their 8th annual event (my how the years pass, I can recall the first event so clearly, waffles and all). 

You can keep up to date with them here, and join them when they screen their latest creations (which look pretty great judging from the production stills).

And in another bit of good news, it looks like our friends in Montreal are getting ready to put forth another OTS8 in the new year. We'll keep you posted here!

Fort Lauderdale 7th annual 1:1 Super 8 Cinema Soiree

The OTS8 season keeps rolling along with Florida announcing the call for their 7th annual event.

From their site:
"It's that time! Ready your camera and get some film! The 7th Annual 1:1 Super 8 Cinema Soirée is approaching. Screening is scheduled for Friday December 5th, 2014 at Jump The Shark "Official" formerly "The Bubble". Doors open at 6 p.m. with screening beginning (approx.) at 7 p.m. More info to come. Deadline is about a month away. Ya dig!"

 If you're planning your winter vacation from the great white north, I can't think of a better time and reason to head to the Sunshine State. Looking forward to seeing the films from the event while the snow blows here.

WNDX 9th annual OTS8 line up and wrap up

Another great year is wrapped at WNDX with fantastic films and great audiences. Wish I could have stayed longer, but nice to catch up with everyone on the whirlwind trip. The 9th annual edition showcased a lot of new faces and many returning. A shout out to Cecilia Araneda who moves on from WNDX after founding and fostering the festival for so long. 

Many hits throughout the night, including Ian Bawa & Markus Henkels' hitman ghost story, and Curtis Weibe's sequel to his popular Rocket John.

Stephane Oystryk retuned to the OTS8 with a beautiful VIA train travelogue that was breathtaking and sublime, and Scott Fitzpatrick's documentary on historic Winnipeg homes was emblematic of what is possible with a plan, some research and creative limitations of a single cartridge.

And for all out visual epicness, Aaron Zeghers, Darren Young and Jim Pomeroy packed incredible visual impact into small gauge wonder. They looked amazing on the big screen and can't wait to see those works travel to other festivals soon.

Thanks for another great year WNDX, looking forward to the 10th anniversary next year!

Reel 1

Nicholas Taylor

Delf Gravert

Karen Asmundson

Thane Carr

Milos Mitrovic

Caroline Barrientos

Fabian Velasco

Ryan Simmons

Reel 2

Rory Fallis

Fernando Dalayoan

Eric Plamondon

Darren Young

Ian Bawa & Markus Henkel

Stephane Oystryk

Gwen Trutnau

Curtis Weibe

Reel 3

Damien Ferland

Kimberly Melnyk

Ian Yorski & Jennifer Juno

Scott Fitzpatrick

Aaron Zeghers

Kevin Bacon

Jim Pomeroy

Winnipeg, we're on our way

For some reason, I'm always up against the clock putting together the reels for the One Take at WNDX. All three reels are ready to go, which considering the screening is 48 hours away, isn't so bad (in some years, the reels were loaded the afternoon of the event with a makeshift rewind system in a hotel room). But the kicker is that the films are no where near Winnipeg, so we're counting on a WestJet flight to not be delayed by 1 minute so we can get everything to the Gas Station Theatre on time.

The years fly by, as we're back for the 9th edition at WNDX. some familiar names, and a few new ones mixed in. Lots of B/W this year, as colour reversal has become a bit more difficult to source.

Even though it always feels like we're in a rush to pull it all together, it's always incredibly worth it, to see what will unfurl at the premiere. Each year, there are so many great film, but one always rises above and goes on to great acclaim. This year Dave Barber wasn't able to make a film for the event, but he's still enjoying the rewards of his last year's hit as it continues on the festival circuit.

Who knows who will have a hit on this hands this year. One thing we do know is that it's always a great screening and Winnipeg gives it everything it's got in 50 feet of super 8 celluloid.

46 hours and counting…. I can hardly wait.

Saskatoon, that's a wrap

What a night. 23 premieres, over 200+ people in attendance at the historic Roxy Theatre (I lost count of how many people commented on it being their first time there and in awe of the theatre).  The projector held up (YAY!) and all the films played without a hitch. Too many highlights to capture, but a great night for live sound, including Shakey Wilson's golf film with live sound effects, Peter Stinson's Tuba solo for his animated film and Eric Hill paying a terrific homage to Norman McClaren's Neighbors in an updated balloon version. brilliant (complete with cap guns, a ballon and a synthesizer for live effects).

Big laughs for Brad Proudlove and Matt Voyno's stair classic and Charles Lemire had the audience going early with his school science fair black comedy.

The show of the night did below to Cameron Muir's Sasquatch tale (can't believe it took so long for someone to make a super 8 bigfoot sighting film in this province). Smart filmmaking that was a throwback to the 70's along with a great soundtrack that fit perfectly. After his Sock Affair film last year, Cameron Muir has found his super 8 groove in Saskatoon and we can't wait to see what he'll deliver next.

Thanks to the group from Regina that made the trek up here. 5 of the 23 films came from the Queen City, and it was great to host them up here for the first time.

We'll see if we can grab a few pics to post here, as well as the program from tonight. Talks are already taking place for 2015.

2 more sleeps!

The films have safely returned to Canada, and are patiently awaiting to be spliced onto the reels for Tuesday night's screening as anticipation builds for the big premiere.

We're excited that our Regina participants are heading up Highway 11 to join the rest of us for the screening. The t-shirt (a one take 1st!!) are being screen printed on Tuesday, and will be fresh and ready for those who took advantage of this limited edition offer. It's exciting to see our posters up around town, and we'll be promoting the event on CTV noon news tomorrow. (It's always fun to do a media hit and not having any clips to show, since no one has seen the films).

Our numbers continue to grow as word spreads about the Saskatoon screening, please tell your friends if you haven't already.

A big congratulations to our friends at WNDX as well, having their group signed up in record time yet again. Can't wait to see what you come up with this year.

And you still have a chance to sign up in Syracuse as they have their 30 spots filling up quickly.

Looking forward to seeing all of the Saskatoon super 8 films on the 8th!!! See you there! (Now off to print programs and reel up the films).

We'll post the line up here on Tuesday.

One Week Away! and WNDX call for submissions.

Things are moving along very nicely to our 2nd Annual Screening in Saskatoon. The films are being processed today in Burbank, and should make their way back to the great white north later this week.

In the meantime, our friends at the Roxy have kindly illuminated us on their marquee.

WNDX has announced their call for submissions for their 9th annual OTS8 (where did the years go!!!) This event has become a proud offspring of our SK institution, with films from it garnering accolades across the globe. Even if you are not making a film for it, it's a great festival and the films are always a hit.

And speaking of proud offspring, our friends in Syracuse keep on rollin' (super 8) with their successful event that continues to build community year after year in the salt city, NY state.
they're moving to a new venue (St. Clare Theatre) which looks pretty fancy, and they've also found their color stock with Pro8mm (who we are using this year) which has made it possible for the OTS8 events to continue! We'll keep you posted here when they announce their call for submissions.

Looking forward to a lot more small gauge film on screen in the coming months.

Saskatoon poster

Voila! Here it is, the 2014 Saskatoon event poster. Thanks to David Lariviere for the design (points to anyone who caught the resemblance to the old Super 8 motel logo).

Also, thanks to Tucker and John Vaughn at Tuckers Tshirts for help in printing up the posters (and giving me a chance to try my hand at screen printing). You'll see these one of a kind prints up around Riversdale and the rest of Saskatoon over the next couple weeks.

We're also printing up some t-shirts for the event with this poster design. If you are keen to get your hands on one, make sure you drop us a line before July 4 to get details.

The films got sent south of the border today to Pro8mm to be processed. Fingers crossed they make it back in time for the screening.

Thanks to the Roxy Theatre as well. It's always exciting to see our event displayed a big marquee.

We'll be posting the full line up of filmmakers in the next few days. It's going to be a great group of 24 films here in the bridge city!

Verb Article

Adam Hawboldt did a great write up in Verb Magazine previewing the Saskatoon screening and Jennifer Sparrowhawk who has been a multiple event participant (in both Saskatoon & Regina).

We're also very happy to announce that Shift Development has joined the event as a sponsor this year, being a great supporter of 20th Street culture and the revitalization of Riversdale. We're excited to be a part of the neighbourhood and have great partners involved.

The films are off to the lab, anxious to see what returns from Pro8. 24 films this year, doubling last year's event. 

And finally, we'll be screen printing our posters tomorrow with generous help from Tuckers Tshirts. (another great Riversdale partner). We'll post the image here soon. It's another one of a kind screen print in a limited edition. You'll see them around town, and if you're lucky you can pick one up at the screening.

In Production!

Saskatoon films are rolling as we speak. As everyone has about a week left before we send all the reels back to Burbank to be processed. It sounds like people have really taken up the challenge this year, with over 22 participants signed up, many of them First-time OTS8 participants. One production over the weekend started early on a Saturday morning, and concluded at 5am on Sunday!!! that's commitment. Looking forward to seeing the final result.

We're in the middle of designing our poster and getting it printed, you'll see it up around Riversdale in the next week or 2.

Excitement is building, and we're very grateful to partner with PAVED Arts and the Roxy Theatre in bringing this event back to Saskatoon for the 2nd straight year.

Running Super 8 Back to Saskatoon

We're very excited to announce the 2nd One Take Super 8 Event in Saskatoon! (the pic is from last year's event)

Due to popular demand and a generous host in The Roxy Theatre, who will open their stunning cinema to our super 8 films on July 8, 2014, we are now accepting entries for this year's event.

For an entry form, please email onetakesuper8event@yahoo.com and we will forward you the pdf to fill out and return.

The event is open to any Saskatchewan resident.

As always the first 25 participants to sign up and pay the fee are included. We are closing registration by May 30 (and you will have until June 20 to shoot your film.).

Stay tuned for updates, and we'd like to thank our partners, the Roxy Theatre and PAVED Arts for their support in bringing this event back to Saskatoon.

Will the real Dave Barber Please Stand Up

After his debut at WNDX with the crowd favorite 'Will the Real Dave Barber Please Stand Up' in October 2013, Dave took his movie on the road to the prestigious Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto.

With Dave in attendance, it was a great festival screening. Seeing the film blown up on the big screen at Cineplex was a thrill and sharing the film with yet another big audience. 

CONTEST and Saskatoon news!

Hi all,

Just like a bear I went into hibernation for the past 6 months.

But spring is upon us, and my phone is ringing, as Saskatoon is eager to take up the super 8 challenge once more! We'll be providing details in the next week. But the venue is booked. July 8th is the date, next week we'll be launching our call for submissions. So keep a keen eye open. We are going to have colour reversal film available which is exciting, as last year this time, it seemed like we were saying farewell to the format.

Also, in the meantime super 8 fans (from all our events) if you have your one reel film sitting around collecting dust on the internet, check out this contest.

Indi.com is hosting a contest with some prizes. The deadline is May 19, so don't delay!

From their site :
Together with Indi we are challenging you, the filmmaker, to create a short film on any subject on a single roll of Super 8mm film. The Judge's Pick prize will be a brand new Super 8 camera-the Rhonda Cam-a special camera inspired by Rhonda Vigeant, Head of Marketing at Pro 8mm. The Jury selecting the Judge's Pick will consist of Pro 8mm staff, the Founders of the Super Gr8 Film Festival and award-winning filmmakers Daniel Lir and Bayou Bennett who have shot Super 8 campaigns for and featuring Smashbox Cosmetics, Paris Hilton, Guess, Smart Girls Rock, Chase Bank and Anthony Mackie ("The Hurt Locker", "Gangster Squad"). So grab this opportunity to shine - there's nothing holding you back.

• Prize Details: 1st place vote winner receives $250, 2nd place vote winner $100, 3rd place vote winner $50. See contest rules for details.
• Guidelines: Please review the Director's Notes below along with our submission guidelines.
• Submission Ends: Mon, May 19, 2014 12:00 PM PST
• Voting Starts: Mon, May 19, 2014 12:00 PM PST
• Voting Ends: Mon, May 26, 2014 12:00 PM PST

Directors Notes:

• Submit a creative project or short film shot on a single roll of super 8 film.
• All edits and titles need to be done on camera.
• We would be honored if you would showcase your talent!