Chris Cottrill

Well... the press release says this, "Pro8mm introduces the Pro814, a newly rebuilt, recalibrated super 8 camera, modified to optimize the results of modern film stocks." So I guess you have to decide for yourself how much is refurbished. I think Pro8mm is pretty smart and they see a market out there for this camera. For proficient eBayers I'm sure one can find a better deal on the internet. But for a wedding videographer who wants to add Super-8 to their services, or a film school that would like to get back into real filmmaking on the introductory level, this camera is priced right. Business people and schools, especially if they need several cameras of the same model, don't have the time to shop eBay item for item, hoping for the great buy now and then and having to confront the not-so-great-buys that also happen. I assume this camera comes with a warranty, and that would be a big plus too. If this camera gets a few schools and other people filming Super-8 again, or for the first time, then it will be a success on several levels, and that's why I'm pretty excited about it.

Pro8mm has just released completely refurbished Canon 814 cameras, which are the nearest thing to new we will ever see. The price is a very reasonable $795. The cameras are adjusted to take advantage of all film stock speeds and thicker negative emulsions. Quote from Pro8mm "The Pro814 Camera Package is available for $795.00 and includes the Pro814 Camera, Pelican Camera Case, 2- Meter Batteries, Filter Step-Up to 77mm ,Metal Lens cap (77MM), 85 A Filter (77MM)." To order one call them at 818-848-5522 as I don't believe it's on their website yet.

John -- This is sad news and a sad day. Your ongoing struggles with this disease have been heartfelt. Hopefully, we will hear more from you, and in the meantime take care.

Great to hear this! This is the best recent film made on Super-8 I have seen. I highly recommend buying the DVD.

GREASE was sold in full feature form in Super-8 around 1980. It was sold by a company called Marketing Films which bought the rights to some Paramount titles. Not sure what stock was used in printing the reduction prints, but they were estar based. The prints were pretty good overall, with great sound on the magnetic stripe, but perhaps a tad soft on the sharpness. Most of them have some slight color fade by now. More recently (last few years) GREASE was sold by Derann Films in the U.K. (and may still be available) with new prints in full scope.

It seems Europe and Canada have already received theirs. I'm trying to check with the U.S. post office to see what the delay is for the domestic side. Seems odd that they were mailed in the U.S., and yet people living in the U.S. get theirs last. This on the "eve" of a probable 5% hike in first class postage.

The film tested many things, but throughout it all was the achievement of taking professional Super-8 negative film stocks, such as Kodak 50D, and then scanning the negs into a 2k digital intermediate (RGB 10 bit log), which was then edited and after post production work made into a 35mm negative, which is used to make 35mm positive prints that go to theatres. The finished product is a projectable 35mm print. Once the 2K digital intermediate is made, the rest of the process is not different from what many modern filmmakers are doing now, only they of course start with 35mm negatives instead of Super-8. The whole film and the process is fascinating and warranted a 7 page spread as well as the cover of the latest issue of Super 8 Today.

Issue #7 was mailed yesterday (Nov. 28th) so it should be in everyone's hands next week. Deadline for articles for the next issue is December 31st. Articles in the Current Issue A Tale of Two Women - Popular singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk and director Cline Mayo team up to work on a new film called Pretty Broken, about an institutionalized patient suffering from mood disorder . Festival Legend - The United States Super 8 Film & Digital Video Festival is gearing up for its 19th year. A look at the festival's successful history, how it works, what the judges look for, and the man behind it all. So You Want Me to Be in Your Film? - One of the biggest problems of any low budget film is a lack of acting talent. Find out where and how to get real actors for your next film. Product Flashback: The Nikon 8X Super Zoom Time Lapse & Time Exposure Titling - Everybody know how time-lapse looks on Super-8, but take a look at what happens when you create titles combining time-lapse with exposures of several seconds. Super-8 Under the Sea - A whole new world awaits the filmmaker who dives into the water with his camera. A lot must be considered first, however, before taking the "splash." Diary of a Coma Patient - Gracie: The Diary of a Coma Patient is a new film that uses Super-8 exclusively. Filmmaker Jeffrey Wedding discusses the making of the film adapted from his own short story. My Dad's Movie Camera - A nostalgic look at growing up in California: simpler times, movie night, the family, and that Kodak Brownie movie camera. Surrealism and the "Power" of Cinema - Andre Breton believed that Surrealism could cure the world's ills. Find out why the Surrealists found film to be the perfect method to awaken the mind. Super-8 Tricks: Tips You Can Use - A variety of simple and inexpensive techniques that can make your filmmaking easier or add a little luster to your production . Nanolab - In Daylesford, Australia, a business called Nanolab hand processes Super-8 film, offering many lab services not even thought of in other parts of the planet. Exploring Animation - Alan Cleave's on-going animation column talks about animating walks and steps. SUPER 8 TODAY is unique among print magazines. Simply put, there is no other magazine out there with this much solid information about Super-8 filmmaking, and filmmaking in general for that matter. Most video publications talk about gear - SUPER 8 TODAY talks about real filmmaking, with real people making their films using Super-8 film, plus the latest Super-8 news. It's that simple. Subscription prices are to increase January 1st (exact rates are yet undetermined), so between now and December 31st subscription rates are at the ridiculously low price of $24.95 for 6 issues (one year). Rates to Canada are $29.95; The Rest of the Planet $44.95 AIR MAIL. Or go on the website and buy just the current issue and see for yourself. www.super8today.com

Super 8 Today Issue #6 is in the mail! Here's a look at what is inside: Interview with Justin Lovell - Justin Lovell's 12 minute short Stuntman won the International Award at the NOMOS film festival and is also profiled on Kodak's website. Justin talks about the making of the film, his film transfer business, and his experiences at Super-8 festivals. Super-8 Stories - A new TV show on the BBC has become wildly popular by showing movies and then interviewing the people that were in them. The State of Super-8 - David W. Scott analyzes the current state of Super-8 after Kodachrome by comparing different film stocks available today and looking at the world of telecine. Product Flashback: The Chinon 1206SM Giles Perkins - Giles Perkins talks about himself and the phenomenal growth of the very popular and informative website devoted to Super-8 called onsuper.org View from the Collector's Corner: A short review of some out of print older notable releases. A Pure and Sweet Hell - Giles Perkins interviews filmmaker Brian Vernor about his hour long documentary of cyclocross racing. Cyclocross racing pits the cyclist against other racers, and also foul weather, dirt roads, and man-made as well as natural obstacles along the way. Once is not Enough - A review of some of the common film cleaners and lubricants on the market and a short instruction on how to clean and help preserve those precious Super-8 frames. The ABC's of RGB - Want to shoot Technicolor in Super-8? I mean the real Technicolor three strip process that was used by Hollywood in the '40s and '50s. Believe it or not, it can be done. The Filter Connection - Using filters to achieve the look you want for either black & white or color Super-8 films. A simple primer on the basics and essentials of the often forgotten filter. The Travelogue Film - Making a good travelogue film takes more than just shooting some pictures of the scenery like a still camera. The good news is Super-8 is a perfect medium for making an entertaining travelogue. Super-8 Tips: Making Your First Film - A checklist of things to do and think about while planning that first Super-8 film with that camera you just bought through eBay, or found in the family attic. On Saturation and Grain - Life as a "Westsider" - A new Super-8 short uses a total of nine different film stocks to create the psychological feel the director wanted. Exploring Animation - Alan Cleave's on-going animation column talks about creating characters. Subscriptions are only $24.95 for 6 issues (U.S.), $29.95 (Canada) and $44.95 everywhere else (mailed FIRST CLASS)

Issue #4 of SUPER 8 TODAY is in the mail Lots of great articles, including A Guide to Film Festival Submission A Converstion with Clive Tobin An In-depth Interview with Rick Palidwor Ektachrome 64T Lab Test: Results of 7 different labs in the U.S. that were each given a roll of 64T to process Think Small: The Art of Foreground Miniatures and lots more. Deadlines for next issue (ads and articles): May 25th. Chris Cottrill Editor and Publisher Super 8 Today Subscribe at: www.super8today.com

Dwayne's processes E-6 daily now (has for a few months). Price $9 (if Wal-Mart, Clark's mail order, or others will send to Dwayne's as they did with Kodachrome, the price would be less but take 2 weeks to get back). Other places: Yale in No. Hollywood, CA $14 Pro8mm in Burbank, CA $14 Pac Lab in New York $16 I have used all four of these labs in the last two weeks for Ektachrome 64T processing and they all did a fine job. Chris Cottrill Editor, Super 8 Today Super 8 Today Magazine

Beginning today, the cost for FIRST CLASS subscription rates outside the U.S. and Canada drops to $44.95 for a whole year (6 issues). The option for surface delivery ($34.95) for overseas subscriptions will be discontinued on May 1st. So, from now until May 1st, overseas subscribers have two options, but after that it is first class mail option only. Why? It simplifies things on my part just to mail all the overseas mailings first class. So to help compensate for dropping the surface option I have lowered the first class price by $5. None of this effects the U.S. and Canadian subscriptions which are mailed first class anyway. Chris Cottrill Editor Super 8 Today

Issue #3 (March/April) is now in the mail. Articles include: An Interview with Cindy Stillwell about her film High Plains Winter which was just shown this past January at the Sundance Film Festival. A Tour of Dwayne's Photo - Tour this huge processing lab and take a look at what will soon be the only Super-8 Kodachrome processor still operating on the planet. The Art of the In-Camera Edit - Rick Palidwor brings the skill of making a movie on one uncut roll of Super-8 film to the genius level. Absolutely fascinating first hand experiences and tips are revealed. Wildlife on Super-8 - More tips and techniques revealed for shooting nature's intriguing creatures from the large and dangerous to the small. Building an External Power Source - Camera's battery power or corrosion got you down? No problem -- it can be solved with $5 and some know-how to make your own battery pack that can run on any Super-8 camera. AND MORE! Deadlines for the next issue: Article Submissions -- April 20th Display Adverising -- April 20th Classified Advertising -- April 25th Chris Cottrill, editor Super 8 Today See Super 8 Today for subscription options

Here is a pic of the cover for Issue #2 Will try next week to post one article from the magazine. Thanks, Chris Cottrill