In order to shoot my next documentary in Antarctica (ALÉN DA FIN DO MUNDO), months in advance I have to start a craftman job that, if explained to the rabble of the digital world, would seem inconceivable: loading raw film onto Single-8 cartridges so that I can use the best 8mm film camera ever made, the Fuji ZC1000.
ECO-FRIENDLY CARTRIDGES.
Single-8 cartridges were, from the start, introduced with the environment in mind: the quality-manufactured cartridges are designed for reuse. Fujifilm itself reloaded their cartridges until, more or less, 1970. Those early reloadable cartridges are distinguished from the others because they have an adhesive tape on the upper and lower ends.
When the cost of Japanese labor became more expensive, Fujifilm stopped reloading cartridges. But even the non-relodoable ones, because they are identical, are easy to open: the first time, the glue comes off with a gentle twisting movement in the cartridge. Once the film is loaded, the cartridge is secured at the ends with 3M brand electrical tape, which leaves no residue.
IB CINEMA´S CUSTOM CARTRIDGES.
If the Fujifilm cartridges are silk-screened, then I simply stick an IB CINEMA sticker, indicating the type of film.
If they are N-type film cartridges, which come with their own sticker, before affixing the personalized ones, I must remove the Fuji ones: as they are very well glued, it is best to impregnate them with Zippo lighter fuel, which leaves no residue, and "peel off" the old label little by little.
LATER PHASE.
After cleaning and relabeling them, we will start a later phase: clean the inside of the cartridge carefully, apply an antistatic solution, and lightly lubricate the two rollers with Vaseline, in addition to spreading a very thin layer of Singer sewing machine oil on the part of the cartridge on which the film will rub. But this is a story for other day.
- VERY IMPORTANT: THIS CARTRIDGES ARE NOT FOR SALE. THEY ARE ONLY FOR SHOOT MY PROJECTS.
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