Super 8 Film
Here at Frankly Faye, I freakn’ loooove using super 8 film to capture some of the special moments at weddings. It is a fantastic medium for getting a gorgeous, nostalgic look to your wedding video.
You might have only heard the term super 8 in relation to the 2011 sci-fi movie, or maybe you're photography obsessed like me who loves to explore old and new camera technologies. Either way, let me take you through some of the key features of super 8 film so you can get an idea of whether this medium will be what you want for your wedding day.
Super 8 film photography
Originally released in 1965, super 8 film was a popular film format in classic summer blockbusters. It was invented to improve upon the original 8mm home movie film format, allowing for a greater area of exposure on the negative film.
Remember Kodak from way back when? That's the brand that invented this film format.
Super 8's legacy and future
Super 8 film revolutionised home movie making. Your grandparents probably have some tucked away in a box. Although moviemakers used different formats prior to 1965, super 8 quickly overtook most other forms. It was cheaper and more lightweight, making it a fantastic medium for capturing field research and visual footage on the go. And the technology holds up today - still easy to use, I’ve shot some gorgeous rolls at weddings with super 8 film - you can see them littered throughout my website.
In a single cartridge, you get around 3-5 minutes of coverage in either colour or black and white. I would shoot multiple rolls throughout the day and piece them together digitally after development to create a video for you. There's no sound on the film but often you’ll find me still going analogue and popping a voice recorder around the place to gather little snippets of sounds to match with your film.
They are faster and easier to reload than the cameras that came before them, making them perfect for recording spontaneous moments at speed. Kodak also popularised the slow-motion camera with super 8 film's onset, and the ability to capture variations in behaviour opened up a whole new world of videography possibilities.
Because of how much easier super 8 film was to use, some critics have written that it made for sloppier filmmaking - total bullshit if you ask me. While it was excellent for documentary making, there was little access to editing studios for super 8 users. As it was the cutting-edge technology at the time, videographers were less impressed with the raw, uncut, vintage look that we love about it today!
Easy access, easy to use
Implications for filmmaking
The lack of facilities and the discouragement by some towards its use made the sales of super 8 drop significantly. By the 80s, video cameras had been invented, so super 8 film became far more scarce.
Some enthusiasts remained, however. Artists, movie writers, and filming buffs are still drawn to the medium for its ability to create beautiful looking films. Many videographers and photographers like myself just love the process of using real film - unlike digital cameras, having to wait until the film is developed is always an enjoyable and exciting experience. Nothing compares to it’s quirky qualities.
Funnily enough, that film you might have seen in the theaters on its opening weekend in 2011 might have incited a medium revival. While your Northland wedding is as far as you can get about a train crash and monsters, the action film did something to evoke memories of a world where super 8 film was the favourite medium for many artists.
Super 8 today
Your wedding and super 8 film
I highly recommend getting some of your wedding footage shot on super 8 film. It creates a beautifully warm, emotional effect without being cheesy or overdone. It’s still not overly common in New Zealand, so it also gives you something super unique. Just a super great, super 8.
Here at Frankly Faye, I just love creating films of weddings. If you are planning your wedding day and want to work with someone who appreciates the many possibilities of using analogue photography methods, then i’m ya gal. Hey!
Using Kodak's Super 8, I can shoot a gorgeous film encapsulating some of the most magical parts of your wedding day. If that sounds like a bit of you, fill out my contact form today, and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Probably way too soon if I see super 8 in the heading. Not a creep, just super excited.. Promise!
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