Urban Outfitters Inc., releases Pro8mm's Rhonda CAM

Urban Outfitters Inc. Releases Pro8mm's Rhonda CAM - Dec. 17, 2012

The funky, fashion mega house Urban Outfitters Inc. is now selling Pro8mm's Rhonda CAM on line at www.urbanoutfitters.com. Additionally, they will carry the Pro8/19 (500T) super 8 film stock, inclusive of pre-processing and HD scanning to an Apple TV digital file.

In June 2012, Pro8mm, the super 8 experts for production and legacy  footage, released the Rhonda CAM, a trendy Super 8 film camera geared toward consumer use and personal story telling on film. Pro8mm co-owner Rhonda states, "I wanted to design something young and fun that would appeal to a next generation of filmmakers. I really wanted something that not only looked cool, but it was simple enough to use; a camera that they would be inclined to just pick up and shoot."  

Inspired by many of Pro8mm's Super 8 wedding clients and lifestyle filmmakers, the Rhonda CAM was designed to meet the demands of consumer and pro-sumer clients. The greatest appeal of the Rhonda CAM is its small size, light weight, and low-light filming conditions. Weighing only ½ a pound, the Rhonda Cam is the perfect choice for on-the-go lifestyle filmmaking. It is the lowest light Super 8 film camera on the market, which makes it great for indoor and outdoor use. It is the perfect entry level Super 8 camera.

Click for Urban Outfitters Rhonda CAM demo on UO TV

A few months after the camera's release, a publicly traded American company that owns and operates over 400 retail locations across five retail brands: (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain, and BHLDN), contacted Pro8mm about adding the Rhonda CAM to their growing film and camera line. Urban Outfitters originated as "The Free People's Store" in 1970 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, focusing on fashion and household products that include luxury brands and several designer collaborations. They are best known for catering to "hipster" culture, which incorporates an influence from past decades. (Wikipedia) It makes perfect sense that a Super 8 camera refurbished from the 1970's would fit entirely into their vision. It is an honor for Pro8mm that Urban Outfitters chose the Rhonda CAM as their first motion picture film camera for their film and camera department, among their many trendy still photography cameras.

As a small, family run business, Pro8mm is thrilled to have their products endorsed by a major retail store such at Urban Outfitters. Marketing coordinator, Jaclyn states, "We are very excited and honored to be a part of the Urban Outfitter's family."

Checkout the Rhonda CAM on Urban Outfitters.com!!!

Rhonda CAM on Urban Outfitters          Rhonda Roll on Urban Outfitters

Additional Releases about the Rhonda CAM:

SnowFactory.com: http://www2.snowfactory.com/news/business/rhonda-cam-super-8-camera-urban-outfitters/ 

Introducing the Rhonda CAM: http://pro8mm-burbank.blogspot.com/2012/04/introducing-rhonda-cam.html 

Follow the Rhonda CAM on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/therhondacam

You Tube: www.youtube.com/therhondacam

Pro8mm is applauded for being a one-stop shop where Super 8 and 16mm cameras, film, processing, digital mastering and treasured family archival services come together for production and archiving. Pro8mm is viewed as the leading experts in Super 8 film, whose products and services have been used in major motion pictures, music videos, television shows, commercials, documentaries, weddings and more. All of our services are performed in house, which allows our dedicated team to provide the fastest turn around times possible with the best quality control for your filmmaking needs.

Why People Use Super 8 Film To Create Hip Campaigns for National Brands

Recently, various members of the press who have been curious about who uses Super 8 in 2011 have interviewed me. Their curiosity has been sparked by the release of the recent J.J. Abrams Film, Super 8. The press usually starts their inquiry about Super 8 with people at Kodak, or some college professors who may have taught a super 8 class “in the day.” They may have spoken to an archivist who works with home movies and historical collections that represent a fabulous montage of our history and culture from the 40’s, 50’s 60’s and 70’s. But then, invariably, the get referred to me, a director of marketing for a company that has specialized in Super 8 film for over 35 years and who has had the privilege of knowing first hand that thousands of projects of all kinds, from various industries, are shot on Super 8 film every year.

A few days after the Super 8 movie came out, I was called by MSNBC who wanted to do a segment at a real Super 8 camera store. They were hoping to see an enormous collection of vintage camera models, both obscure and common. When I told the person that called that we didn’t have any cameras like that or any projectors– she said, ok then, we will have to get back to you. Which they didn’t. They didn’t get it.

Unless the interview is being done by one of the film industry trade magazines, (which has a little more understanding for the desire to work with a variety of mediums), the conversation usually goes something like this.

Interviewer: “So, is Super 8 back?”

Me: “Back? Where did it go?”

Interviewer: “Well, who shoots this stuff? A few people who want to create a sense of nostalgia, right?”

Me: “Well no, actually it is being used in some very hip campaigns for companies such as Roxy, Billabong, Whole Foods, Swiffer, Ford Automobiles and hundreds of other national brands for food, beverage, clothing, sports teams, fast food restaurants, and more. You can see it in TV shows such as American Idol and True Blood, and Music Videos for some of today’s hottest artists such as Katy Perry and Beyonce, as well industrials, independent projects and political campaigns.”

Interviewer: To create a sense of nostalgia, right?

So instead of feeling frustrated and defensive for the umpteenth time that “they just don’t get it” or offended that no matter how much time I spend explaining about how we upgrade the cameras with things that modern filmmakers would want, state of the art negative film stocks which we reformat, 16 x 9 aspect ratios, native 1080 scanning and Pro Res files off our state of the art scanner, I started thinking about it. What is nostalgia from more if an intellectual perspective? And I decided, maybe these interviewers are more intuitive then I thought.

Nostalgia is by definition as a sense of longing. I decided to embrace this possibility. What is it that makes me nostalgic? What is it that I long for? For me it is a wish or desire to connect with people in a way that is engaging, organic, and intimate. To get away from the Facelessness of Facebook and the 500 people in my network, many who I really don’t know that well, or in some cases, at all.

I think that purveyors of National Brands get this. Modern society tends to be very isolated and spread out. Many people are looking for a simple way to communicate their product or brand. This perhaps may be the fall out from all the corruption we have seen in recent years in the finance industry, bailouts, and sex scandals among the politicians.

I think there is a movement happening. A shift toward taking back our power in small ways individually. It’s an awakening that does make us feel nostalgic for the corner store or a place like “Cheers Bar,” where everybody knows your name. The needs and wants that have been created by a corporate-driven culture that feed our egos are being replaced with a need to feed our souls. 


Community. Connectivity. Individuality.

Big brands are caught up in this, and now have to re-brand themselves to fit in with this movement and economic cycle. They want to embrace the local farmer; small bank and many in the face of unemployment are themselves cultivating entrepreneurship. They want people to see them as committed to sustainability and protectors of the environment.

So how does a company like Wal-Mart portray themselves as the local hardware store? Personal story telling. Focusing on individual contributors as opposed to corporate culture. What better way to do this then with Super 8 film?

So yes, bring on the nostalgia. Everyone loves a good story and that “feel good” feeling especially shot on Super 8 film!

My Super 8 Movie! A Contest Celebrating Super 8 Filmmaking

MY SUPER 8 MOVIE!
A Contest Celebrating Super 8 Filmmaking
  
The highly anticipated summer blockbuster film "Super 8" is set in the summer of 1979. "A group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth - something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined."(source: imdb.com)

Does this bring you back to the making of one of your first Super 8 movies?  Most of the film industry greats started out this way, making movies on Super 8 film.  Wouldn't it be remarkable to share your early film as part of our "Super 8" the movie celebration?

In celebration of J.J. Abrams movie "Super 8", we want to see your Super 8 movie!  Pro8mm will be giving away prizes for 8 lucky super 8 filmmaker's original super 8 films. Prizes include a 4 roll film package or get your original SD Super 8 film scanned for free to native 1080 HD with a free digital HD version of your film!
 
How To Enter MY SUPER 8 MOVIE CONTEST:

1. Upload your Super 8 movie or trailer to YOUTUBE
2. Email your YouTube link to Jaclyn@pro8mm.com, and she will send you a contest entry form. 
3. Once your link and entry form are received, our "preview committee" will watch your film and review your form to make sure your film meets are entry requirements
4. If your film is approved, we will post a link to your video under our "FAVORITES" on the "My Super 8 Movie Contest" channel on You Tube, (Pro8mm's Contest Channel),http://www.youtube.com/pro8mmcontest  
5. Votes will be solicited from the public. Voting will be done via the YouTube
6.  "Likes and Comments" feature. 
7. The winners will be announced via the YouTube Channel, our Facebook page (www.thefacebook.com/pro8mm), and our monthly newsletter.
8. The top "8" winners will win either a 4 roll film package, or get their original SD Super 8 film scanned for free to native 1080 HD to Pro Res!

 
CONTEST RULES AND REGULATIONS:

1. Your entry must be an actual film that is at least one roll of Super 8 film, but does not exceed 30 minutes. Test footage is excluded.
2. All entries must be uploaded to YouTube, and emailed to us in that format. We will not accept films mailed to our office, or posted on other Internet sites as contest entries.
3. All entries must be submitted by June 30th, 2011 so we have time to review and pick the winners.

Any questions, pleased email  Jaclyn@pro8mm.com 

Below is a SAMPLE CONTEST ENTRY, "Ms. Marvel's Day Off," directed by Ruckus Skye, D.P. by Pete Wages. 

SAMPLE SUPER 8 MOVIE CONTEST ENTRY

Is There a Super 8 Life Style?

Wikipedia defines lifestyle in its simplest terms as “the way people
live”

Some lifestyles are easy to define.  Just watch an episode of  “Lifestyles
 of the Rich and Famous” or a National Geographic show that has a segment on some indigenous culture.  We see the lifestyle of the people pretty clearly.

In the 21^st Century, particularly here in the West, there are more lifestyle options than ever before, and they are not all defined by socio-economics. Our choices for health and wellness, sexual orientation, products we use, how we transport ourselves, the way we socialize,  are choices that reflect our life style. The essence of our being.

To me, lifestyle is every day life. What we wear. What music we listen too. How we celebrate. I love to watch the everyday life of people’s home movies from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s shot on 8mm or super 8mm film. I can walk into our scanning suite any day of the week and get a nostalgia fix when I catch a glance of a birthday party, Christmas gathering, family BBQ, beach day or Disney outing. There is something so calming about the footage. Parts of it are always predictable. I identify with it. It slows me down from the constant pounding on my computer, ipad, or smart phone. It takes me back. It makes me feel good. It reminds me – I’m ok.

I like seeing the woman dress the way my mother dressed in that era. The shape of the eyeglasses, the dishes on the table, the cars.  I get really excited when I see a lamp that is the same style of one I grew up with, or a fabric pattern that was iconic in its day.

More and more I hear filmmakers I work with say that one of the things they like best about shooting on super 8 film is the “lifestyle behind it”. When I first heard people talking in this way, I thought they meant the surf culture or the skateboard culture, or even the adult film culture of which so much has been captured on 8mm film over the decades. So I started asking, what do you mean? What is the super 8 lifestyle?  Do you mean the lifestyle of the filmmaker who chooses super 8 as the way they want to tell a story or “Lifestyle Filmmaking shot on super 8 film”?

After giving this some thought, I think I have decided it is both. There is a certain type of filmmaker who defines the super 8 life style, and clearly chooses to tell stories on this medium. They are Independent. Hands On. Above average intelligence.   They like counter-culture. They are a Risk Taker. Personable. Humble. Modest. Generous. Grateful. Patient. And, amazingly creative.  The Super 8 filmmakers that I know who are the most successful with their super 8 filmmaking possess a majority of these qualities. And it is these qualities that really put these filmmakers in a league of their own when it comes to getting the shots that are romantic, playful, emotional, personal, intimate, and heartfelt.

Filmmaker George Manzanilla who shoots his spots for Billabong on Super 8 film says what he likes is that it is the emotional connection you are able to make with the subject when you shoot them on Super 8 film. It’ s a personal format. You get images you can’t get from a digital camera. The way he shoots changes the relationship the models. http://youtu.be/V4YyFSlP7aQ

Feature filmmaker Kurt Markus and son Ian were the entire crew for the super 8 documentary “It’s About You – John Mellencamp”. His narration in the film speaks about how having another person along to do the sound would have changed the dynamic. Then they would not be just father and son messing around in America with their Super 8 cameras. http://vimeo.com/16177978

Look at music videos such as  “Two is Better Than One” (Boys Like Girls) The performance piece is shot on the Red Camera.  http://youtu.be/cUMfdoIXv4U The love story is shot on super 8. It feels so real and touches emotions deep with in your soul. Or singer Harper Simons “Berkley Girl”  (shot by Ben Kutsko from The Masses)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfXv6RBPEdI&feature=player_embedded

 Nowhere do we see this hankering for super 8-lifestyle filmmaking so prevalent as we do in weddings. While brides of the 80’s and 90’s were all about being shot on video, the past 10 years have shown a huge resurgence toward creating montage wedding footage on Super 8 film. Intimate. Personal. Playful. From simple low-budget weddings to Hollywood Celebrity Extravaganza Weddings, brides, grooms, and even the guests want to get in on the act. Check out the work of some of these amazing Wedding Filmmakers (and we have dozens more with just as awesome footage!) These are folks who have made a HUGE commitment to their craft, taking a risk (without video assist) at someone’s wedding that the footage being captured on 30-year-old cameras will do the job they were hired to do. This is not for the weak of heart. These wedding filmmakers personify the Super 8 lifestyle and personify the craft! Check out some of them and their amazing work.

Kate Headley http://www.kateheadleyphotography.com/

Braden Lower http://www.abryanphoto.com

Megan Hill http://hellosuper8.com/

Steve Moses http://vppvideo.com/

Michelle Walker http://layercakefilms.com/

The filmmakers themselves rave about the vintage charm.

Michelle Walker of Layer Cake Films on her website explains that as a super 8mm wedding film company, we create films that are original, offbeat, fun, and exciting. We strive to make custom stylized films that combine our generation’s style and sensibility with yesterday’s vintage film and retro feel. No melodramatic forced emotion! We are all about having fun and capturing the joy of your wedding day. We embrace offbeat couples.

Super 8 Film was invented as a home movie format to record the lifestyle of everyday living 50 feet at a time. Each roll is like a play list of 3 ½ minutes or less. A shot of life in  “reel” time.   Today we see a trend toward recapturing more simplistic, intimate story telling people are gravitating to simple stories. The cameras were designed for the average consumer, so that anyone could use it. I think we will see more and more filmmakers using Super 8 to capture this feeling of intimate lifestyle. The number of super 8 shots in commercials and in TV shows continues to grow with each passing. Full circle. Lifestyle filmmaking on super 8. Your own reality TV show.

How do you define the “Super 8 Lifestyle?  Please post your responses here!

By Rhonda Vigeant. Director of Marketing, Pro8mm www.pro8mm.com

You can also register for our FREE, teleseminar on Super 8 Lifestyle Filmmaking, Wednesday, May 11 at 4:30pm pacific (7:30pm eastern). Click here to read about the teleseminar and register: http://tinyurl.com/3sj6rhe