Infinite Format Film Show at 17 Cox

Thanks to all of the folks who showed up the the inaugural film show at the 17 Cox Art Center. It was a long program of films which started at 6 pm. and continued until 10 pm.. We screened work by Super-8 workshop participants Emily Pardoe, Christopher Stepler, Zak Goldstein, Len Thomas Vickory, and Brandon Phelps. The Main show featured the work of Boston film makers Tara Nelson, Gordon Nelson, and Paul Turano also featured in the Main show was the work of recent Montserrat graduate Kathleen Brennan.We appreciate the viewers who showed up for both screenings and especially those who stayed for both. Screenings are particular events that have a theatrical quality to them. This one was pretty intense. It seemed as if the audience was watching very closely. The group stayed connected right up to the final film. Again, we appreciate this very much.

Eclair update

Elclair NPR batteries are done scratch tests show flawless film.  The remaining functions of the mags, lens and film transport will be revealed after todays test rolls.

Recent Acquisition; Eclair NPR 16mm camera

Not a silly blunderbuss but a classic piece of film history. All I know is that this camera came from the west coast. I imagine this camera at Altamont or Monterey. This is like the first camera I ever rented in the 1970's. Although it seemed a lot smaller then. Thanks to John Cairnes at Van Ness Creative for helping me check over it. It needs batteries but is complete in every way and ready to shoot the first test roll next week. Also thanks to John and Paul Van Ness at Van Ness Creative for a raw stock donation.

Six Plate Editing Table Arrives at the Institute

Thanks to the generosity of film makers Joe Gibbons and Louise Bourque The Institute has acquired a used Cinemonta six-plate editing table. This is an uncommon, Belgian model much like a Steenbeck. According to Joe Gibbons it saw a lot of use as a sort of optical printer for Louise Borques films.
See these links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2a2GIpTmaU&feature=related
http://www.independentexposure.com/filmmaker/576/Louise_Bourque.html
Although we won't be using the magnetic sound heads we will certainly be using it to edit and compile 16mm material.

La caméra Pathé est fixé

The reccently purchsed 1950's era Pathe' Webo Super 16 camera is now working. I spent the better part (the morning) of two days disassembling the shutter mechanism. I discovered the botched work of the previous owner who mis-assembled the mechanism and over tightened a crucial screw. It now hums like the fine French machine that it is. I shot a test roll of Tri-X today.
This camera is history to me, I saw a production still of Agnes Varda working on one of her films with a Pathe'. I remember Pathe' newsreels which often preceeded the feature film at theaters when I was younger. Pathe' essentially founded the French film industry. I like to think that Eric Rohmer used a Pathe' Yet there is something forlorn about this camera. Like the Citroen or the Peugeot they have not quite made the transition into the era of solid state circuitry. Which is why I guess, the Institute is interested in having a camera like this. Pourquoi ne pas?

Super-8 is Alive and Well

Super 8 is alive and well. We are producing and presenting work for a festival in June. I will be shooting an in-camera edited piece for that festival. Several other local film makers will also be showing work.

We have supported the production and presentation of 16 and Super 8 films since the 1980's. We have shown the work of Ann Robertson, Saul Levine, Luther Price, Joe Sheperd, Eric Michael Smith, Dan Eisenberg, David Gatten and others. Numerous students over the years have produced 16mm and super 8 films with equipment and technical support from the Institute. We are dedicated to the Small Film format in all of it's incarnations.

EVERYBODY HERE COMES FROM SOMEWHERE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IoQqNgp3ag EVERYBODY HERE COMES FROM SOMEWHERE, The Song Project with Judith Shimer  and Friends