In today’s digital age, it’s so easy for someone to get their hands on some video recording device, whether it’s a Canon DSLR or an iPhone, and start to make films. It has become really convenient and it has made filmmaking very accessible to the masses. All of this, however, has also put physical film on the back burner. Though many features are still shot on film and it has many advocates, the digital world is still giving it a run for it’s money. After being a film student for almost two and a half years, I myself finally worked with film stock for the first time this past week.
Jens, our cinematography professor and resident Thor look alike, began the week by taking us to to a camera and lighting equipment rental company. From there we received a tour, walked through lots of camera, lenses, gels, donuts, dollies, apple boxes, etc. The place just kept going and going. The visit served a double purpose, however, as we were able to pick up equipment we would need to shoot on 16mm film later that week.
Upon arriving at class on Tuesday, we all split into smaller groups so that while one group learned how to load film with Jens, the rest of us were shooting interviews for AIB’s website. I was in the second group to learn, so once our turn came around the five of us sat at a table with Jens to learn film loading. Before us was a canister with 16mm practice film and a magazine to load it into. He demonstrated the process to us, and then set us loose. Since we only had four magazines to practice on I sat back and waited for someone to finish before I could get my hands on one. This actually gave me an advantage though, because I was able to watch everyone else load and memorize the process more as well as learn from other’s mistakes. Eventually Justice finished first and I took her supplies and ventured into the world of film. Having watched five other people load, I was feeling somewhat confident that I could load easily. It started off really well, doing the part that was supposed to be in darkness was simple enough- perhaps because we were practicing in light. Once I flipped the magazine over to thread the film, it became a little trickier. Here, I had to make sure my spool was the correct length and also push the film through a small slit to run it back through.
Pushing the film through became really difficult. It kept spitting back out at me, but eventually I managed to work it out and successfully loaded my 16mm film... then I had to try loading it in the tent.
Honestly, as soon as I put my hands inside the completely dark tent with the film and magazine I felt like an astronaut. I had a little difficulties here, but overall it wasn’t as hard as I was envisioning.
On Wednesday, we finally had a chance to actually shoot on the 16mm
film. That day we would be filming an introduction for our screenings
later that semester. Jens came up with a concept and we all just went
with it, though most of us weren’t sure why we were searching through
sheets in a bed, or sitting in the passenger seat of a car, looking
through a window, or breaking glass bottles. I’m sure he has a clear
vision inhis head. If anyone does, it would be Thor. It was assigned so
that each person would be in one scene and be able to film another. I
was able to film Will in a car. Jens drove us around while I sat in the
passenger seat and then the back seat and recorded Jens’ hands and
Will’s eyes through the dashboard mirror. It was really cool actually
having the camera in my hands. Only downside is that camera was heavy
and I hadto do all handheld shots in the car. At first it was a matter
of keeping the camera steady and then it became a matter of keeping
myself steady. While I was in the back seat, I tried sitting on the edge
of the seat to get as close to the front as possible, but then as soon
as the light turned green and we started moving forward I completely
fell backwards in the mini van. Though I don’t want to pursue being a
DP, I can see howfun and interesting it must be to get your hands on
film cameras and making movie magic happen. Being able to work with and
on film was a really unique experience and I’m really glad we had the
opportunity to.Written by: Sarah Bush
