Super 8 Workshop

at Funhouse Commons

Filming found flora on the Super 8

A group photo of the participants and teachers

A workshop participant show us a piece of the developed film.

Getting the right formation for a group scene

EPFC’s Paolo working his magic on sealing the film inside the canister inside the shade so it will develop properly

August 2, 2024 was our public debut as the Orcas Microcinema on Orcas Island! In partnership with our dear partners, Funhouse Commons, who graciously hosted us and the Echo Park Film Collective, who came down from Vancouver to teach a delightful Super 8 filmmaking and eco-processing workshop.

We had over 16 participants, mainly teens, with a few curious adults who joined. Lisa, Paolo, and Nicole of EPFC shared with us a brief history of the medium of film and how Super 8 fits into the grand picture. We looked at a wide variety of “devices of wonder” that included flip books, 3D images, kaleidoscopes and many other objects that inspire new ways of looking while tying them to visual media history. We then headed outdoors for field recordings of sound and sights surrounding Funhouse. We broke into small groups, each group taking turns capturing footage and recording both human and nature made sounds. Recorded footage included: a dilapidated shed, rustling leaves, running across fields, experimenting with making people “disappear” on camera, tree climbing and interviewing one another about favorite places on the island.

Experimenting with plants to collage photo stock

EPFC’s Lisa preparing the group for mixing the eco-processing potions

After all video and sound footage was captured on the Super 8 cameras and sound recorders, the group then transitioned into the eco-processing step. With recipes provided by EPFC and their friends who have perfected them over the years, workshop participants brewed up multiple eco-processing developers using household ingredients, including: instant coffee, ground up flowers, vitamins, and acids. Each ingredient was carefully measured and mixed, adhering to the recipe’s instructions. After each developer was made, the films were placed in canisters carefully and each person took turns mixing the canisters, making sure the film was thoroughly covered in the solutions. After about an hour, the film was removed from each canister and pulled out to dry. We then reeled up the footage and Paolo and Lisa spent the evening digitizing the processed film. It was then edited and the sound recordings were added afterward by Nicole. The film premiered with many friends and family of the workshop participants in attendance the following evening.

Thank you to everyone who participated and to Funhouse and EPFC for all of your hard work in coordinating and planning with Orcas Microcinema to put this workshop together. We are planning to hold the workshop again in 2025!