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.

Day 3

After the emulsion had been exposed to light in order to capture the image of the Mothlight code it was now time to develop the filmstrips. Once again I am using a cost effective DIY approach to processing the film and I shall be using a Coffee based developer, a white vinegar solution as the stop bath and salt water as the fixer.

Equipment used [not grater...oops] 

I have never developed film before and am quite anxious at this stage, but after I have researched the methods of developing I feel confident that something will come out as a result.

To start with I created a developer solution using coffee granules [4 teaspoons], washing soda [2 teaspoons] and 8oz of water. I mixed all of the ingredients together to create the developing solution.

Back in the DIY darkroom I took my trays and poured developer into one tray, stop bath into the next and fixer in the final tray, I placed the exposed film strips into the developer for about 25 minutes agitating the box every 30 seconds.

When the time passed I then placed each filmstrip into the stop bath to stop the emulsion from developing further, the strips were left in for only a couple of minutes before placing them into the fixer for about 5 minutes and then finally hanging them up to dry overnight.  

Film Content and modern Context

When I set out on this experiment I had considered the fact that if the emulsion does indeed work then I will need to capture an image onto it, as I don’t have access to a 35mm film camera and the emulsion is handmade and will consequently leave a white dust in the mechanics of a camera I needed to look at ways of exposing the film to light with out the use of a camera.

This lead me to Stan Brakhage and his approach to experimental filmmaking in which he makes films without the use of a camera, I looked at his most famous work Mothlight (1963) in which he uses moth wings and leaves stuck onto the film and as the light passes through the projector it shows the details and intricate lines within the wings and leaves.

I felt that I would appropriate this method but also add my own twist in order to contextualise it into the modern day.

Within my previous work I have always worked with the idea of using analog methodologies and digital methodologies, the two working together harmoniously in what I call a di-alogue [my manifesto], this project will also incorporate this element as I have decided that the image to capture onto the emulsion is that of the digital code that makes up a screen shot from Stan Brakhage’s Mothlight. 

From Mothlight (Dir. Stan Brakhage1963)    

Mothlight image code

This will be printed onto clear acetate and then place this on top of my filmstrips and expose it to light, this will then imprint the code from the image.

I have ensured that the code of the image is not too large otherwise it will just become a blur, so I have printed onto the acetate with a size 6 font as this is small enough to be seen but shall appear not too large when the film is scanned digitally.