This week with Super 8 Brothers: Interviewing Laura Wright, czar of the Georgetown Super 8 Festival

Super 8 Brothers: Tell us a little bit about the history of the Georgetown Super 8 Festival and your involvement.

Laura Wright: GS8 began in 2006 when a friend, Sarah Lange, and I went to see Italy's first silent movie (Dante's Inferno) at Central Cinema. I had recently gotten my MFA and was looking to create more art projects that were collaborative and community-based. I had taken some "little film" classes in college, shot super 8 as a hobby, and was collecting equipment. Sarah was part of the neighborhood's punk community which operates an outdoor summer cinema and many other DIY events. After the movie, Sarah and I were in the car heading home when I said that it would be fun to get people from the neighborhood to create super 8 films and show them in my studio. Sarah agreed and said that it wouldn't be hard to get people involved and excited. We polled our friends, found out that they were interested, and began the first Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival which screened thirty-two films at the Georgetown Ballroom in 2006.

Why Georgetown?

I've lived in Georgetown for 11.5 years and understand the community and have a lot of connections. We don't have a community center, so it seemed like the right place to start an event that would bring everyone together. For many years, this was also a place where you could dream up a crazy idea and neither the city nor your neighbors would get in the way. They actually enjoy the weirdness.

What makes a good three-minute film?

Simplicity and a willingness to embrace mistakes. Complicated ideas and perfectly edited films are great for video, but super 8 is the new reality medium and life is not perfect.

What are some of the most memorable films from past festivals?

One guy, Aaron Cone, filmed himself on a little pool raft in the Duwamish River, which is a really nasty Superfund site. When I watched it the first time, I couldn't stop screaming since the river is so polluted and dangerous.

Two years ago, we had a three-part Zombie Film by Tiffany Clendenin and Martin Imbach. They put out an open call and had families and neighbors covered in chocolate sauce and spitting out raw bacon to create their effects in a massive zombie takeover. This was one of several films that commented on the demolition of the Rainier Cold Storage Building. Every year we seem to get themes about what is going on here.

Two brothers, Eugene and Tyree, have made a film every year since the first festival in 2006. They are now 12 and 14 and still make a film every year in which they beat each other up. Their boxing film, King of the Ring, is my favorite.

We do not currently have any films posted on our website, but if you go to YouTube and type in Georgetown Super 8, you will find many. They are all great, but Chai Quan Fu is a personal favorite. 

When is this year’s GS8 festival? Where can people go to learn more?

The 2010 Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival will take place on Saturday, May 8. We are still working on times and locations, but that information will be posted on our web site soon: www.georgetownsuper8.com

Where’s a dude get a beer after the show?

It's Georgetown, so you can't throw a stone without hitting a good bar. We will be screening part of the festival at the 9lb Hammer, so, if you are at least 21, you have to stop there. Afterward, you have Stellar Pizza, Via Tribunali, Calamity Jane’s, Georgetown Liquor Company, The Mix, and Smarty Pants to choose from for some eats, sobering up, and more drinking. Oh, and please drink lots of Manny's. The boys and girls at Georgetown Brewing have supported us since the beginning and make a great film each year about beer to whet our appetites. 

Now that’s a neighborhood Super 8 Brothers can get behind. We hope to see you at the 2010 Georgetown Super 8 Festival.

Super 8 Brothers logo design by Anne Beaudreau

Brother Chris' favorite flick from previous GS8 Fests, found on YouTube:

I think the concept is hilarious, and I thought it was brave of the filmmakers to do their best to sync the sound without even seeing the final product.