Portland filmmaker raising money to shoot Cyclocross Nationals on ‘Super 8’ film

drew-coleman

Drew Coleman in a still from his GoFundMe campaign video. Watch it below.

Sellwood neighborhood resident Drew Coleman has a vision for his next project. But he needs a bit of help to realize it.

Coleman is a filmmaker who started shooting local cyclocross races this summer. He’s also started a YouTube channel under the Local Cycling Network banner. Now he wants to cover the biggest race of the year: the Cyclocross National Championships which take place in Reno, Nevada next weekend. This time around he wants to do try something new: Coleman wants to shoot the race and the culture that surrounds it, on film. He’s bought a 1983 Canon 814 xl-s camera and he’s looking for support to buy the film which runs about $1.53 per second.

He’s launched a GoFundMe campaign and hopes to raise $2,500 for the trip and the film.

Here’s more from Drew about the project:

“I am always looking for new ideas and new angles. One of these came about as a result of my work on the second part of a series about local professional race team, Team S&M CX based out of Sellwood Cycling Repair. During the creation of “Working Class Cyclocross: Do It The Hard Way” I made contact with a California-based photographer Michael Jasinski who shoots film stills on large and medium format cameras and who’s work appears in the video. As an aside I mentioned that it would be fun to actually film cyclocross on Super 8. And he mentioned that he lives near Reno, Nevada where Nationals are this year and I’d have a place to stay if I wanted. And so, the “Cyclocross Nationals on Super 8 Project” was born and we will be collaborating to bring it to you.”

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(Photo: Michael Jasinski)

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Here’s the video pitch, which includes his concept video shot with film:

Drew has a great eye, which he explained in an email to us last week like this: “I have a philosophy when it comes to filming and that is when everyone is looking one direction, I try to look in the opposite direction in order to get a unique perspective. Simply put, we want to take a new-old look at the event.”

If you’d like to help Drew make this happen — and help all of us enjoy a great piece of cyclocross content — consider donating to the campaign. And stay updated on all Drew’s videos by subscribing to his YouTube channel.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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just one skip remount
just one skip remount
6 years ago

couldnt we just watch the official coverage on old crappy tv’s for the same effect?

mran1984
mran1984
6 years ago

Phone = Crappy. The one handed generation is useless.

Chris I
Chris I
6 years ago
Reply to  mran1984

Did you get those kids off your lawn yet?

Mike Quigley
Mike Quigley
6 years ago

I fail to see the point. To get a really unique effect, the old Pathe’ equipment.

Buzz
Buzz
6 years ago

Really? Seems like a Quixotic choice to me.

Middle of the Road Guy
Middle of the Road Guy
6 years ago

There still needs to be an audience for the product…and when the audience thinks it’s a dumb idea, maybe it is.

Middle of the Road Guy
Middle of the Road Guy
6 years ago

If he’s asking for donations, then yeah, I would say there are stakeholders.

BradWagon
6 years ago

As someone who watches Drew’s stuff and donated count me as part of the audience that doesn’t think it’s dumb… and I don’t particularly care that much about photography or film personally, but it’s cool to see the subject of cycling being covered in as many ways a possible. It’s amazing that people will go out of their way to criticize something like this.

Craig Giffen
Craig Giffen
6 years ago

Good lord, heaven forbid someone has an interest in something. I could care less about tall bikes, don’t want, one, don’t see the appeal…but I love the fact that people are really into them. I’m not going to call tall bikes “dumb”. I keep thinking of this quote from Tom Scharpling:

https://music.avclub.com/tom-scharpling-1798226449

“It’s hard to do stuff. That’s why everybody stops doing it. ’Cause it’s hard. So I always have a lot of respect for people who do things. Even if it’s the worst garbage on earth. I give Insane Clown Posse a lot of credit. Nobody wanted them to stay around. Nobody wants that. It’s terrible. And they’ve got every reason in the world to go away, and after a few years, they could’ve left and everybody would’ve said, “Of course they’re leaving.” That’s what you do. You do a dumb thing like that for a couple of years, and then you leave. I think they make some of the worst music I’ve ever heard, but if it means something to some fan, if that’s their favorite thing, it’s not for me to take that away from them.

..But I’ll rank them above somebody who I know has impeccable taste and all they do is talk a good game. Insane Clown Posse gets more of my respect than that person, who’s just nothing but hot air and good taste. I might rather talk to the person with good taste than some fat Insane Clown Posse fan, but I actually give more respect to them for doing it if it makes people happy. “

JeffS
JeffS
6 years ago

So you’re allowed and opinion, but only if it’s the right one?

Middle of the Road Guy
Middle of the Road Guy
6 years ago
Reply to  JeffS

Welcome to Portland!

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

*Edit: Welcome to the human race.

BradWagon
6 years ago
Reply to  JeffS

He said the comments were rude, not forbidden. You’re the one bringing absolutes into it when a comment hurts your feelings.

just one skip remount
just one skip remount
6 years ago

Immunity from criticism leads the race to the bottom

BradWagon
6 years ago

Same could be said for the arrogance that makes one feel it is their right or duty to criticize.

JeffS
JeffS
6 years ago
Reply to  BradWagon

You don’t think they have a right to criticize?

BradWagon
6 years ago
Reply to  JeffS

Unless they have a vested interest in the filming of CX nationals in general or will be affected by Drews project then no… they don’t really have any background that would make their criticism valid, called for, worth paying attention too, justified, etc..

An no, I didn’t mean they can’t legally voice an opposing opinion. Just like the original comment was directed towards some kind of unwritten social concept about how someone should react to negative viewpoints mine was also directed towards a concept of what people think they deserve to say.

Matthew
Matthew
6 years ago

Please stop displaying your **deleted because of inappropriate personal insults** comments in such a **deleted because of inappropriate personal insults** way online. People who choose to attack artists because of their own lack of vision chips away at the beauty of the world. Please sit down.

just one skip remount
just one skip remount
6 years ago

Allow me to save good people some cash:
Sell the already purchased camera for $400
Use that money for gas.
Record with phone.
Press “Super 8* Filter.

Drew Coleman
Drew Coleman
6 years ago

When I was in art school, one of my sage professors told me that when what you’re doing provokes questions, commentary and criticism, that’s when you know you’re onto something. My goal with this project is to provide a different media experience in regards to our National Championships; something that goes beyond watching the official race on a crappy tv. In the end, I’m trying to create an art piece for people to enjoy (or dislike).
Thanks for caring enough to comment!

I wear many hats
I wear many hats
6 years ago
Reply to  Drew Coleman

Do it. This site has become a trolling site to drag down what few bike enthusiasts we have left in Portland. Thank you JM for posting. I look forward to seeing Drew’s vision.

Buzz
Buzz
6 years ago

LOL, no, this site has become a trolling site for a few bike enthusiasts who think they know better than everyone else what is good for cyclists.

All I can say about that is, when these ‘advocates’ get their way and the city builds something these cyclists requested, it typically ruins what was previously a perfectly good cycling route already.

Dan A
Dan A
6 years ago
Reply to  Buzz

What’s an example of something that the city built as requested?

Clark in Vancouver
Clark in Vancouver
6 years ago
Reply to  Drew Coleman

As someone who’s shot 35mm, 16mm and Super 8 I’m so glad that I now live in a world where I never have to touch film again. Film really is a lot of extra work and pickiness and when something goes wrong (which it can easily) you won’t know until later.
Having said that I realize that this is an art project. In art people use all sorts of “obsolete” tools to get an effect or something. If you can afford it and want to do it then great! Like anything, make sure you know your gear really well. Learn it so well that things are automatic so you can work under pressure.
It might end up being really cool or might not work out and be a failed project. Even my worst failures I don’t regret because they’ve been educational and improved my craft.

Good luck.

Christopher
6 years ago
Reply to  Drew Coleman

Do you Drew! Haters gonna hate.

just one skip remount
just one skip remount
6 years ago

Comment deleted and user has been placed on automatic moderation list. — Jonathan

Drew Coleman
Drew Coleman
6 years ago

That would be fantastic! However, pastels would make it more aesthetically pleasing …

kathryn
kathryn
6 years ago

Why are you being such a jerk?

Brian
Brian
6 years ago

That’s stupid. No one can draw that fast.

rainbike
rainbike
6 years ago

I read the deleted comment and think that you’re setting a pretty low bar for censorship, Jonathan. I think that many of these critical comments have value and should not be scrubbed.

X
X
6 years ago
Reply to  rainbike

The comment was already deleted before I read this thread, but in fairness to JM it came after some other, still visible, negative and/or sarcastic comments so (pok!) he pulled the plug. Either “remount” is totally new to this blog, or else they came up with a new handle to say stuff that they didn’t want to put out under their previous fictitious ID-ish.

Moderation isn’t that big a deal. It means JM has to actually decide to put up whatever a person might have to say.

Middle of the Road Guy
Middle of the Road Guy
6 years ago

Maybe Ned Ludd restaurant will chip something in.

Jason H
Jason H
6 years ago

I can understand Drew’s creative intent with this project but I feel that just applying an old media to record a modern event will just feel jarring. As the test footage does with a very grainy low contrast look but racers in skin suits on carbon bikes with electronic drivetrains. I’d like to see this planned a bit more and shoot it around a fun short “Eroica” style race maybe during a break at one of the GP or CC races next fall. Think caged pedals, bar end friction shifters and all wool kits. Then it would have a much more nostalgic feel.

Also I get the very Portland craft slant with having to actually shoot it physically in the outdated (expensive) filmstock and camera, but modern software with simulated filmstock and grain can make digital look amazing too. It’s funny, I just came across a creative experiment a few days ago that took Footage from Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbIbchSteCI and processed it to look like a silent newsreel. With the technique and the original period costumes and props it looks exactly like the historical WW2 newsreel footage I’ve grown up seeing! They even copied the typical 18fps film shown on 24fps pacing Lastly, and this is just me, but for actual film I like the better balance between resolution and aesthetics of 16mm instead of Super 8, it’s just too muddy for me (and I get the irony of that for a CX race). All meant as just constructive criticism, I think this could be a great concept and artistic expression, I just think from the (seemingly) last minute planning and not as good as it could be sample footage it might be let down from what it could be. That said, It’s Drew’s project and vision and I wish him the best of luck with it, and honestly hope the end result gets me to change the very critique I just gave!

Drew Coleman
Drew Coleman
6 years ago
Reply to  Jason H

I love this. Excellent points. Thanks for the commentary. Rest assured it isn’t last-minute and will feature some stunning large and medium format photography as well. Here’s hoping you find the result compelling!

Jason H
Jason H
6 years ago
Reply to  Drew Coleman

Yeah, I realized that if you shot test footage at Kruger’s two months ago, you must have been thinking about it for a while before that. Interested to see how comes out, good luck and enjoy Nats!

Craig Giffen
Craig Giffen
6 years ago
Reply to  Jason H

To me it is just about the end result being real and the effort it took to get there. Personally, I have no interest in trying to digitally recreate the past by clicking a mouse. Anyone can do that without much effort.

1991: The Year Punk Broke will always have more appeal to me because it was shot on Super 8 and not an iPhone app like part of Searching for Sugar Man was.

If I want something to look like it is from an old VHS tape, I’m not going to use a plugin that screws up the color and adds fake tracking bars…I’m going to go to Goodwill, buy two VCRs, then duplicate the video ten times over, then import it back in.

Kyle Banerjee
6 years ago

I personally like Super 8 — it’s the original youtube as far as I’m concerned. Highly portable so you can shoot anywhere, yet the format only allows for short clips making you really have to think about what you want to show and it takes a lot more skill to shoot with real film. As such, I like it better than the tape formats that followed that let people shoot too indiscriminately. The icing on the cake is it doesn’t lend itself well to adding cheese effects.

Given that this is more about a particular type cycling as art, I’m not surprised by the response here. I would expect a warmer response from communities where the journey and the experience are what’s important

Craig Giffen
Craig Giffen
6 years ago
Reply to  Kyle Banerjee

I shot a bunch of it in the mid 90s, always in the back of my head was. “This is costing 20 cents per second, is a shot of this car driving by worth it?” (answer, 25 years later, yes, back then…not so much)

Chris I
Chris I
6 years ago

I’ll donate if he shoots it on 70mm.

Drew Coleman
Drew Coleman
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris I

Maybe someday!! One must crawl before he can walk …

X
X
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris I

DC is being a pretty good sport about this. Chris I, maybe you should get in early, unless you have six figures to throw around. 70mm is the deep end of the pool.

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

I never shot on 8mm, but I shot some projects on 16mm back in 2005 before HD was really accessible. I think the most fun part was sitting in the room with the hugely expensive film recorder used to transfer to digital for the edit and doing the color correction with the colorist at Barrandov Studios in Prague. So fun. Enjoy the process Drew!