Movie Making Made Easy

Making a real movie doesn't have to be expensive. You'd be surprised to know that Super 8mm format is still being used today, and the Super 8mm movie camera does not have to be expensive to produce excellent results. In fact, Oliver Stone is a big fan of Super 8mm film format and has used it extensively in many movies, such as "The Doors," "Natural Born Killers," "Nixon," "U Turn," and "JFK." Many music video producers prefer using Super 8mm for the artsy feel they provide. Truly, that "feel" cannot be recreated in video. At least not yet.

Also, there are many film events which are Super 8mm friendly and shun video all together. One such festival is the Flicker Film Festival. You like challenges? The Bentley Film Festival requires you to turn in the film undeveloped with no editing. This one is obviously made for people that are confident with their in-camera editing skills.

CAMERAS

There are many excellent, yet inexpensive, film cameras out there. There may be one hiding out in the closet of some one you know, or maybe that yard sale you just drove by had one for a few bucks. Perhaps that flea market you've been wanting to go to has one as well.

There were thousands and thousands of these cameras made from 1965, when Kodak first released this wonderful format, until sometime in the late 70's. In fact, by the 1970's, many of these cameras had the same features as some of the more expensive 35mm movie cameras. Despite of the huge number of cameras available to the small format film maker, most of these machines were built with the "weekend warrior" in mind, not the professional movie maker. Whether you are a professional, student, or hobbyist, you will want to get the most camera for your buck.

There are two factors currently raising the price of Super 8 cameras. The first one is obvious: Price-and-Demand. The most incredible and unexpected factor, however, is Hollywood's renewed interest in this format. Big name producers, like Oliver Stone are using high-tech super 8mm cameras in full feature films. Music video producers have found a new artsy look and feel in this format as well.