Super 8: An Illustrated History
Available Now! Rare Bird Books Ordering Information
I’m excited to announce the release of my new book, Super 8: An Illustrated History, a coffee table art book showcasing the history of Super 8 filmmaking. In addition to featuring stunning photography documenting the sleek mid-century design of Super 8 cameras and projectors, the book will be filled with vintage advertisements and eye-catching illustrations from Super 8’s heyday.
Super 8: An Illustrated History also features interviews with and essays by filmmakers who got their start in Super 8, and with pioneers who were instrumental in the development of the medium. These interviews are revelatory, showcasing how young artists, working with no budgets and with little-to-no formal training, managed to make impactful movies and give voice to international subcultures. Interviews include Richard Linklater (Slacker, Boyhood, Dazed and Confused), Dave Markey (1991: The Year Punk Broke), Rocky Schenk (music video director for Adele, Devo, Nick Cave, The Cramps, Robert Plant), James Mackay on Derek Jarman (Last of England, Jubilee), Lenny Lipton (The Super 8 Book), Beth B (Black Box), James Nares (Rome ’78), G.B. Jones (The Lollipop Generation), Bruce LaBruce (Super 8 1/2, The Misandrists), Marc Huestis (The Gay Film Festival of Super-8 Films), Ed Sayers (The Straight 8 Film Festival), Peggy Ahwesh, Norwood Cheek, Paul Clipson, Martha Colburn, Paolo Davanzo, Gerry Fialka, Karissa Hahn, Narcisa Hirsch, Lisa Marr, Frank Martinez, Matthias Müller, John Porter, Paul Sheptow, silt, Melinda Stone, and Jonathan Tyman. On the technical front, the book features interviews with Frank Bruinsma (Super8 Reversal Lab), Bob Doyle (Super8 Sound), Tommy Madsen (Logmar Camera Solutions), Phil Vigeant (Pro8mm), and Roland Zavada (Kodak).
Elevator To Stardom
Brand new Super 8 movie
Crackling with the energy of a 1980s punk rock, seat-of-the-pants, totally wired DIY production, Danny Plotnick’s Elevator to Stardom is a return to his filmmaking roots. The film was shot on Super 8 with sync sound like many of Plotnick’s award-winning films from the 80s and 90s. The film was made with, and stars, a group of his film students from the University of San Francisco. The entire production was shot in under a month, from conception to production to its first screening. Raw and unfiltered, it’s a blast of fun. Set in a film school, Elevator to Stardom chronicles a student group film shoot gone horribly wrong. Great performances abound from a cadre of young players. Myles Marquez plays the monomaniacal film student. Cencere Baker is the student who just wants everyone to get along. Chris Rama kills it as the aggrieved member of the group who can’t believe what a blowhard they have to work with. Ava Klubberud is the over-it equipment manager handing out the gear. Plotnick regulars Ray Wilcox and Bill Daft, who co-starred in Dumbass From Dundas, team up again 35 years later as the dead-end security officers who can’t believe how stupid college kids are.
Clocking in at eight minutes, Elevator to Stardom is a reminder of how films got made back in the day. Come up with an idea, use the small footprint and immediacy of Super 8, and knock out a crowd-pleaser in a month’s time. Grain-be-damned, thread up the projector, and let’s get viewing.
I’m Not Fascinating—The Movie!
20th Anniversary Edition Out Now!
I'm Not Fascinating is now available for the first time on YouTube. It has been freed from payroll purgatory. Check out the new HD Transfer today. This new transfer is undoubtedly better than the film deserves but despite its hi-def sheen (*cough*), no-budget cinephile purists can rest easy knowing that the original’s many “weirdly beautiful” visual flaws are all still ingloriously intact.
If streaming isn’t your bag, you can still go to Vimeo On-Demand and for $5.99 download the film for your very own. The VOD package is accompanied by a gut-busting smorgasbord of bonus features and never-before-released live concert footage of the band. Bonus features include: commentary from Danny Plotnick and Icky Boyfriend drummer Anthony Bedard; photo gallery; deleted scenes; Icky Boyfriends' music video from back in the day; and 4 Icky Boyfriends' concerts from the 1990s.
Danny’s Super 8
Filmmakers Colin James Russell and Alec Rodriques have made a beautiful short doc about my work in Super 8. It is playing the festival circuit now. For screenings in your neck of the woods, click here. To take a sneak peak at the film, click here.
Odds & Ends
The Plotnick Collection on NightFlight+
Plotnick’s films are currently streaming on Nightflight +. The collection includes brand new 4K versions of Dumbass From Dundas and Swinger’s Serenade. This is the only place to currently view those films in such high resolution. The collection also includes Skate Witches, Steel Belted Romeos, I’m Not Fascinating, and Out of Print.
The New Arrival Section!
Soaked Film Photography
I’ve spent the past several months experimenting with soaked film photography, a practice wherein one shoots 35mm still film, and prior to processing, soaks the canister in a variety of concoctions/soups. I’ve soaked film in laundry detergent, chamomile tea, beets, kool aid and energy drinks. It’s been a fun process. Check out the photos on this gallery page.
American Cinematographer Interview
I am honored to be included in an article about the past, present, and future of analog filmmaking in the May 2021 issue of American Cinematographer. You can check it out at this link.
Skate Witches Mania Continues
People who weren't alive when this film was made continue to dig it. Dana (one of the Witches) still has the original jacket. I swear it's worth a fortune. She'll be able to retire when she puts it up for on-line auction.
Checkout mentions of the film in Vogue, The New York Times, Dazed, and in the July 2016 issue of Maximum Rocknroll.
Do You like Music? Pick up a copy of the Typical Girls 4 comp to hear Sk8 Witches by Mommy Long Legs.
Danny Plotnick films archived at the Hugh Hefner Moving Image Archive at USC
I'm pleased to announce that my films have been selected to be included as part of a punk rock archive at USC. This means the films will be stored in a facility more conducive to longevity than my closet and moldy basement. Look for new 4K transfers of the films rolling out in 2020. With the exception of I’m Not Fascinating, you’ll just have to settle for the current SD transfers currently available..