First 16mm (on Bolex H16) attempt
Hello everybody, while most technical questions can be answered online through clear and precise tutorials with pictures or videos, I notice I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by nerves to start trying and it kind of blurs my overview. Think in general I have physical and emotional reactions like that with new things, especially if they feel (possibly) important to me.
About a year and a half ago I managed to get this Bolex H16 through an auction, made in the 50s. Based on the serial number it seems to be just before their reflex era. It came with three Schneider Kreuznach lenses (16, 25 and 75mm). I always wanted to try 16mm film based on various films I watched (the biggest trigger at the time was Small, Slow But Steady by Miyake Sho based on the autobiography of a deaf professional boxer) and this deal was a good one. Currently have two color films (Orwo/Wolfen NC400) and one BW (Formapan ISO 100). Preferably I'd like to experiment with both.
I have shot videos before (digital on Canos EOS 750D [and iPhone...] and Lomokino - though figuring that one out more still). Have made a documentary (ish) before but stepped away after my (visual anthropology) Master as I wanted to focus on finding and developing (though it felt more like sculpting in mist sometimes towards something I know better how to defend). But as I worked on writing and some other things, the time that's passed just extended and the liminal prolonged. Perhaps deep down there's a fear I got worse and lost my shot - whatever that means - which can work as a paralyzing agent too many a time.
But part of why it took so long - besides proneness to procrastination and a particularly challenging year getting in the way - is that it makes me nervous to really get started. I am not entirely inexperienced. While I am more interested in directing and concepts or ideas, I love experimenting and creative control, and 16mm is of course a very specific choice regarding how to tell a story or share an experience or (more literally) view. I understand why people like Lynch loved digital for its expanded room for experimentation, but the consciousness, particular attentiveness and just analogue touch of shooting on film is a side of my (aspiring) creative being.
So the question I'm posting now is one for general advice on how to start. Can be anything, but mostly awareness of possible blindspots in my preparations, and perhaps some personal approaches to the best way to control your lighting (initially outside, but am also open to inside-filming for a possible follow-up experiment), and what to make complely sure when loading the roll. I know the focus is a bit of a calculation, if you work with this or a similar camera, do you have a specific action, or trick, etc that tends to help you? Separate viewfinder perhaps?
I'm willing to buy more film eventually and am considering an ultra-converted Krasnogorsk-3, but I'm not financially free to the degree I could treat it like digital videos, especially while keeping in mind the inevitable costs of development and scanning the films. Plus I just think it's good to really practice first before I splurge beyond the reasonable. Beginners' (or any) failures are okay, but I'd like to avoid the mistakes that I should have control over.
My idea right now is to (try to) make a short film that's allowed to turn out to be a disappointment, but at the least a success in gaining a conscious experience of making one. Trying to create a concept now that would work with using color, BW (and possibly even some Lomokino) interchangably. Last month I saw Bi Gan's new movie which upped the enthusiasm to try and see what's possible. This would allow me to test and learn more with this project whether the end product turns out pretty or interesting or, well, not.
So, what would you suggest is good for me to keep in mind while I try to jump back into cinema and newly into the world of 16mm film? I'm scared, but I aim to move forward regardless.
DETAILS:
- Camera model: Bolex H16
- serial number: 116157
- Lenses: 16, 25 and 75 mm
- Schneider Kreuznach Xenon 1: 1.5 / 25mm
- Schneider Kreuznach Xenon 1: 1.9 / 16mm
- Schneider Kreuznach Tele-Xenar 1: 3.8 / 75mm