Analog Film in Education

I fist began using analog film after my first module at Plymouth University of Art in the Film Arts Foundation course, the brief called for us to go around Plymouth and shoot anything that symbolises the idea of space while using a Super 8mm camera.

This I found to be challenging and also very exiting, I was challenged as I had only previously used Sony Z1 mini DV cameras and there is a viewfinder in the camera so you know exactly what it is you are shooting. The super 8mm cameras had no viewfinder so you must use precision and care when taking your shots, you also only have 3 minutes of film on the cartridge so you had to choose your shots wisely.

After shooting the films were sent off to be developed and we saw the results the following week, I was amazed at the vibrancy of the colours and that the camera had captured images that were more colourful and energetic than I had seen with my own eye.

From Jeefs (2011) [https://vimeo.com/33342846]

 As the course progressed I was given the opportunity to experiment using analog film cameras and techniques more and more until in my final project where I joined the practices of digital and analog filmmaking together into an installation piece.

When I moved to Norfolk I was expecting to find a wealth of analog technologies and resources, but sadly it had all been disposed of and the institution had been fully digitised and cleared of all analog techniques including analog film cameras and darkrooms.  

During my studies I made the decision that I wish to go into teaching film in higher education and will use this research project to further explore the reintroduction of analog film materials into education once more.