16mm Journey
During the Spring Semester of 2025, I had the privilege and opportunity to work on an independent study with Professor and Filmmaker/Artist, Robbie Land. This was my first ever experience working with celluloid film and it had its challenges. The work here expresses my journey of working with 16mm in various conditions, locations, and modes. The independent study focused on working with mixed media formats including, 16mm, Digital, and Found/Archival Footage.
The two final films that came to fruition during this process were two Experimental Documentaries, They Deserve Better and House of______.
Both projects were created using the mixed media format mentioned above with a common theme of Family and Connection.
Journal Entries
Independent Study Journal#1
This semester I am working with celluloid, specifically 16mm, and digital film. I hope to create two mixed-media projects by the end of this semester. My thesis film will be a mixed-media project as well so playing around with celluloid early has been amazing(expensive...). This experience has been so nerve-wracking but I'm proud of this test footage. I've learned a lot so far. I hope you all enjoy this little compilation. Let's see how this plays out.
Independent Study Journal#2
I shot some more test footage but with a 250D color balance with the Bolex and woaaahhhhh I can already see the difference between this stock and the 500T I used last time. 500T seems to be the most versatile stock for different lighting(daylight and tungsten). 250D is naturally less sensitive to light, so I need to watch my exposure. Wrapping up the mixed media documentary and then moving on to the final portfolio project. So Exciting!!!!! I love film.
Independent Study Journal#3
This time I wanted to see what it would be like to work with a 250D (less sensitive) stock in low lighting But rely on stage lighting/other fixtures that aren’t the sun or house lights to light my scene. So, I went to go support my drag/queer family and decided to capture some moments and it was cool but this was a challenge!! As I couldn’t see through the Bolex viewfinder so I had to trust the process for most of these. It was just overall a very fun experience. Will be using an SR3 next time and hopefully have some kind of light to fill in some of the harsher shadows.
The footage of the drag show you see in House of_____ are the shots that are talked about in this journal.