A brand new Ektagraphic Super 8mm movie camera was a Christmas present from my parents when I was around sixteen. It was one of Kodak's most advanced Professional models. This was my first artist tool beyond the pencil and crayon. The pencil was a tool I had a love/hate relationship with. I loved drawing, beginning as a toddler, but by second grade I found it painful to use a pencil, (or pen, or brush) for long periods. (I think thanks in part to long, tedious, handwriting drills in Catholic school, under the watch of yardstick bearing nuns, ready to rap your knuckles if you messed up.) I have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis as well as fibromyalgia, which presents neuralogic challenges similar to MS. This made drawing or painting for any extended period, out of the question. Fortunately, I later discovered the computer and the mouse, with which I can draw with all day.
Photography was a logical first choice. I could express myself without much pain being involved, clicking a shutter isn't too physically diffiucult. Photography, however, was really my dad's thing, so I had to rebel a little. Movie making was fascinating to me, especially animations, and this 8mm camera would allow me to explore those mediums. I made a few short movies with friends as actors and explored some animation techniques. |
