In an age where everything is instant, many people are finding special significance in returning to pre-smartphone era technology. Whether you have that one friend who brings their disposable camera everywhere, or you’ve seen the countless film-only Instagram pages, there’s no denying the increasing presence of retro tech.
Josh Bautista, an 18-year-old from San Jose, has managed to take this analog trend to the next level. He beautifully captures the present with film techniques of the past, bringing a nostalgic feel to the otherwise fast-paced life of a Gen Z teen.
This is just one of many short films shot by Josh on Super 8 with his old school Canon 310 XL camera. Despite the extra skill and extra cost (about $30 for every 3 minutes of footage!) of working with Super 8, Josh explains “I find it rewarding not being able to see what you’ve filmed right away.” In an era of instant gratification, patience can make artistic production feel all the more fulfilling.
While the price makes Super 8 impractical for longer projects, Josh likes how it forces him to be more purposeful with what he captures. Thus, despite the limitations, in many ways this technique serves to expand, rather than constrain, his creativity.
Josh considers the moments he’s recorded on film to be a form of art, and an important avenue for self-expression. When asked what first motivated him to capture these moments, he recalled “When I was really young I always had an interest in recording everything, and I just haven’t stopped since. But I started to adapt my love for recording everything into a passion for making them into art. Watching movies such as “Goodfellas” by Martin Scorsese you start to look at film differently. Taking apart and dissecting them, I felt like maybe one day I could make something of my own.”
Lately, the wholesome moments and coming of age feeling that Josh captures have garnered significant attention online. The support he’s received from total strangers, as well as his family and friends, has kept him confident and inspired. “The feedback is honestly what made me so sure I can do what I’m doing. I’ve been getting an overwhelming amount of messages saying how my videos inspire them. Which I honestly find so crazy to think people look up to what I do.”
The way Josh Bautista chooses to document his teen years is a refreshing change of pace from the normal feed of expiring stories and constant posts. “I keep telling myself, ‘Imagine looking at this when I’m old, how I was able to capture such raw and genuine moments!’’ While most kids his age would consider a spontaneous snapchat the epitome of a raw, genuine moment, Josh takes a more artful and deliberate approach to documenting memories. His films give greater importance and permanence to otherwise fleeting moments.
Keep up with Josh on Instagram and Tiktok.
Check out Mckenzie Gardner Makes The Cutest Animations to learn about other video creators.
