Videography, 8mm film & Zumi Digital
A wedding video is something that I wasn’t really interested in – I know it’s supposed to be one of the things I’d ‘regret not having after!’, but we’re not really the type to sit down and watch home movies. I feel entirely justified in putting any budget that would have gone towards videography into getting an awesome photographer. Maybe getting an uncle to take a basic video of the ceremony to send to anyone who couldn’t make it, if they’re interested.
Then I saw this wedding video by Hello Super 8:
SO much cooler than a long boring video. This is something I would actually watch and feel delighted about. Even if it isn’t my wedding or the wedding of anyone I know, like this video is. It was made with Super 8mm film, which is described nicely here by Layer Cake films. It’s imperfect, there’s no sound, each roll only shoots a few minutes of footage and you’re going to get some unpredictable effects, but I’m a sucker for that delicious retro look.
I haven’t been able to find any videographers who work with Super 8mm film in Perth, but I don’t want to take the budget to hire one back out of our photography budget anyway. So this is looking like a DIY job.
Luckily, I recently came across the Harinezumi Digital – a cute toy camera that actually shoots in digital format. Okay, I’ll admit – I’m not in love with the still photos it takes. Well, not as much as other toy cameras. Although the convenience of it being digital is nice. Anyway, what makes this camera interesting to me is that it takes video that looks a hell of a lot like 8mm film (intentionally, I’m sure). At almost $200 it isn’t exactly cheap for a plastic camera, but I’m going to guess that it’s still a lot cheaper than hiring a videographer or buying a ‘proper’ video camera. Here’s an example of the video:
To convince myself further:
- I’ll totally use it again. I shall become the queen of retro home movies.
- It’s freaking cute.
- Unlike 8mm film, the new version of the Zumi can actually record sound (I’m going to assume it isn’t awesome quality though).
- Also unlike the 8mm film, it can record as long a video as fits on a micro SD card. Haven’t determined how long this actually is yet, but I’m fairly certain it’s longer than 4 minutes.
- I’m geeky enough to find the idea of editing a retro-look video of my wedding extremely exciting.
What are you guys doing for video?
Ahhh we are doing nothng.
So I try to avoid looking at cool wedding videos that make me want to change my mind! Arrrghhhh
Didn’t do anything and I don’t regret it a bit. I am one of those people who looks different on camera than she does in her head. Ya know what I mean? So I will just content myself with my pictures. No worries.
I’m certain I won’t regret it if I do nothing either. But I really want an excuse to buy that little camera >_>
I don’t know what we are going to do. I’d really like a record of the ceremony and speeches though.
That is such a cute video. They rock the chick-taller-than-dude combo
[...] I last posted about this camera, I was all set to buy it. But just before I went to make the payment I remembered [...]
hi
I too am fascinated by things analogue see retrothing.com
Even a sony trv-130 digital8 handy cam would be interesting – no digital artifacts like cheap mpeg4 recorders ,also has mic input so you can be 8m away(ie not in peoples faces), and hear something!
If you still fancy a DiY super 8 wedding, look for a canon 514xl on ebay, purchase kodak 100D super 8 film stock, ( maybe able to pick this up on ebay too ) and film in reasonable light. Not sure of any local processing labs in Perth, you could ask these guys on http://www.filmshooting.com
Worry about transferring the film to dvd after the wedding.