Colour Reversal Lab Retreat: an experience of collective creativity in Treaty 4
Chrystel Oloukoï and Charlene Moore | Photo: Esperanza Sanchez Espitia
Splice committee member, and Colour Reversal participant, Esperanza Sanchez Espitia shares her reflections on the inaugural incubator.
Colour Reversal Lab was structured to be a compact program in which fifteen artists from different geographic locations in Canada received a cultural immersion in Treaty 4 territory. The end result: five days where beginners and advanced 16mm analog film lovers had the opportunity to learn about the Bolex camera's capabilities, tricks, and techniques. From the first morning, it was a space for creation, research, experimentation, eco-processing, sound workshops, projections and exchange of spiritual values.
Hand developed 35mm film | Photo: Esperanza Sanchez Espitia
Splicing tape | Photo: Esperanza Sanchez Espitia
On Sunday afternoon March 20 2022, Colour Reversal began at the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative located in Treaty 4 Territory. Participants included Kathleen J. Edwards, Jelly Gan, Gavin Baird, Adrienne Kaye, Chrystel Oloukoï, Charlene Moore, Bret Parenteau, Katnancy, Salem, dione.c.haynes, Oliver King and myself. For most of us, it was the first time we had met in a large group after this long period of isolation and restrictions due to COVID-19. The Filmpool facilities were filled with positive energy. It was easy to perceive the human warmth, the joy of being accepted, and the sweet rush to start an adventure of unlimited creativity.
According to the project instigators, the dream for this incubator lab first came to life in Winnipeg. It was born in moments of camaraderie, an informal discussion, a daydream exchange of ideas between four passionate filmmakers with an altruistic desire to help others expand their knowledge of experimental cinema.
Four filmmakers with extraordinary professional artistic journeys: Rhayne Vermette, Heidi Phillips, Amalie Atkins, and Hagere Selam "Shimby" Zegeye Gebrehiwot, the current Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative, all gave the final push to turn this project from a chimerical dream into a concrete reality.
Kathleen Edwards | Photo: Esperanza Sanchez Espitia
“The group was able to actively participate in the heart of Regina film culture”
Lebret | Photo: Esperanza Sanchez Espitia
Elder Alma Poitras opened and closed the workshop with a prayer ceremony. Elder Poitras was generous enough to take time out of her busy schedule to meet the Colour Reversal group, who traveled from Regina to meet her personally at the Lebret Indian Industrial Residential School. From the first moment to the end she showed the group her spiritual support and invited us to reflect on the devastating effect of residential schools, particularly the experience of Indigenous children in the community of Lebret.
Lindsay McIntyre was invited to share her knowledge on Bolex cameras, eco-process development and the technique of destroying old film to create new narratives of animation and collage. The group was impressed by Lindsay's expansive knowledge, experience, and ability to transmit her technical teachings and passion for experimental cinema. Charlene Moore shared her experience using different recording equipment like the H4n Zoom Pro Audio Recorder to record high-quality sounds. Bret Parenteau's workshop showed us how to make tape loops using a tape recorder and an auxiliary cord (male end to male end). Bret used his laptop as the sound source, but he clarified that we could use an iPhone or anything that plays a recording. Ron Jacobs, the Filmpool’s Production Coordinator, was an invaluable assistant with an attentive ear for every technical and logistical need.
Parallel to this intensive immersion in the world of analog film, Colour Reversal managed to integrate multiple cultural activities. The group was able to actively participate in the heart of Regina film culture through guided visits to the Dunlop Art Gallery, MacKenzie Art Gallery, and the RPL Film Theatre. The Colour Reversal group was welcomed in these places by experienced cultural representatives from Regina, special guests such as Niki Little, Alyssa Fearon, Wendy Peart, Tomas Jonsson and David Garneau from the University of Regina.
Lindsay McIntyre | Photo: Esperanza Sanchez Espitia
“It was an experience of much growth not only at a technical level but also at a human level.”
Personally, it was an experience of much growth not only at a technical level but also at a human level. Colour Reversal represented an opportunity to go deeper into analogue cinema.This retreat helped me consolidate my respect for the Bolex camera and its many capabilities. I am very grateful to Colour Reversal for their unconditional support, believing in our dreams, and for giving me the encouragement to produce my film thesis, Dafna 2022.
Colour Reversal was more than a BIPOC learning space. It was an exchange of laughter, tears, and collective support in an environment of absolute respect and freedom. Each of us left a little bit of ourselves with each other, in order to perpetuate a fraternity towards the future.