RED: 8mm Movie: TEN

Like the majority of 20-something year old couples, Ben and I are aching to explore Europe together. Our refrigerator proudly displays a crumpled piece of notebook paper which was the product of a late night dinner with friends during which we decided upon 5 European countries we would like to visit the most. If all goes according to plan, one year from now you will be reading the most exciting RED post yet - a detailed description of a four week Glass Family European Journey. 

You should not be surprised that during one of our first planning sessions, the subject of photo documentary devices was brought up (i.e. "we need to set a limit on the number of cameras you would bring, Lily").  I don't need to tell you that my brain immediately began strategizing a way to fit my two polaroids, two brownies, two 35mm, digital cameras, my three favorite lenses, and enough film for four weeks into the most efficient bag possible. Ben saw right through me and intercepted my blueprints with "Two or three. Max." Uuuhhh arrow through the heart. You know we're talking about Europe right?! It's not fair that his craft simply require a pencil and a piece of paper...

As I created a mental pros and cons list for each camera, we started talking about how great it would be to have a motion recording of this fantastical adventure. One hour later, a Kodak Brownie 8mm movie camera was purchased on Ebay. (I know what you're thinking - that boots out one of my still cameras. But once you watch the treat below, I'm sure you'll agree that it's more than a fair trade). 

Ben did some research and found the film we needed and a lab in Kansas that processes and transfers the footage into digital files. We ran two test reels and he edited the video into what you see below. My first thought after watching the video? "Our grandkids are gunna think we're so cool."

I can't begin to tell you how excited we are to take this little treasure to Europe with us. Can you imagine the Swiss Alps on this film?! I can't think of a better souvenir.