Raindance Film Festival

In 2015, I had the privilege of co-running a specialist Super 8mm filmmaking workshop with Scottish director and former Jesus and Mary Chain bassist, Douglas Hart, at Raindance Film School. Designed as a hands-on introduction to the art of analogue filmmaking, this intensive two-day workshop provided aspiring filmmakers with the opportunity to explore the creative and technical aspects of shooting on Super 8mm film.

With a small, carefully selected group of eight ambitious participants, we delved deep into the process of working with vintage film cameras, crafting concepts for music videos and short films, and learning the do’s and don’ts of analogue filmmaking. The workshop also introduced cameraless filmmaking, including direct film manipulation, painting, scratching, and bleaching film stock to create unique visual textures.

Super 8mm Filmmaking Workshop – Raindance Film School

Workshop Structure: Day One

The first session began with introductions, where Douglas and I shared our experiences as filmmakers before inviting participants to introduce themselves and their creative aspirations. We then moved into a technical assessment, checking the functionality of each participant’s Super 8mm camera and discussing the key principles of shooting on celluloid film. To inspire creative ideas, we screened a selection of Super 8mm short films in various styles, including experimental works that showcased the medium’s unique tactile qualities. This led to an open discussion on film concepts, with each participant presenting their ideas and receiving feedback on both creative and technical aspects. By the end of the session, everyone was given a single roll of Super 8mm film and tasked with shooting their project within the next two weeks.

Workshop Structure: Day Two

The second session focused on the experimental possibilities of analogue film. Participants began by reflecting on their shooting experiences, sharing the challenges they faced and discussing solutions for future projects. We then screened a series of avant-garde and experimental films, demonstrating how filmmakers have historically embraced the physical properties of film to create striking visual effects. Moving into the practical part of the session, we introduced participants to hands-on film manipulation techniques. They experimented with painting and scratching directly onto film, as well as bleaching and burning to create unique textures. Splicing and hand-editing techniques were also covered, giving participants the tools to physically alter and reassemble film strips. To conclude the session, we projected their experimental film reels, allowing them to see the immediate results of their creative interventions.

The final half of the session was dedicated to the screening of the participants’ completed films. With all footage developed and digitised, each filmmaker had the opportunity to present their work to the group. This was followed by a discussion, where participants received feedback from both their peers and us as workshop leaders. We closed with a conversation about the future of analogue filmmaking, exploring how Super 8mm can be integrated into contemporary practice and how participants could incorporate their workshop experience into their professional portfolios.