It’s inevitable to look back at things we do and see them in a different light after gaining a bit of perspective. It makes memories that much more intriguing and layered. I’ve had many moments like those growing up bilingual; a buried memory jolts back into the forefront of my mind when I finally understand what was happening now that I can actually speak and understand the English language.
This is the case of “en la playa” - a small film a shot on Super 8 back when I visited my family in Venezuela.
What I wanted to capture was simple… the essence of being carefree. I wasn’t sure which family member would play the role better, but my grandfather was not the first one on my list to take this on. He was though, the first to jump immediately into the water and elude a freedom and joyfulness I had never seen him express.
This is what I look back and reflect on. This moment that I captured that was so unlike the grandfather I knew. To me, he was loving, smart and caring, but also strict, stubborn, and head strong. I had had gone to the beach with him many times in my life, but had never seen this expressiveness take place.
I look back in this film and see his inner child come alive.
music: “Valleys (My Love)” by Whitney
“film for Earth day” was an extension of what I captured in that beach in Venezuela, but tried to use this and other footage to convey a similar theme in a different way.
Along with a different song choice, I was aiming to pick up the pace and show a more playful tone of the interaction of subjects within the locations.
WIth this film I also tried to pay closer attention to my movements with the camera and the settings I was using. Super 8 is a great medium but also a very unforgiving one. I learned quickly that even a soft shadow is not your friend when you have limited settings to play with. Regardless, the footage I included all complements the story with quirkiness, expression, and joy.
music: “Dream #9” by Jose Gonzalez
Film is expensive, annoying, and usually hard to work with… but why do I use it? It really all goes back to what I mentioned at the beginning of this blog: memories.
When I look back into these super 8 shots, I don’t see a movie— I see a fuzzy memory coming back.
Sometimes when I am taking photos, I look through my lens and see that no matter what setting I use, the lens does not capture what my eyes see. I sometimes don’t even take the photo when that’s the case.
With these films, I am able to convey what my brain remembers a little bit better… if that makes any sense. I am able to capture memories that are quick, scattered, chopped, and fuzzy.
Because of that, I’ll be staying away from hard shadows and continuing to use my film camera as much as my budget allows it!