Curio: Recycling Celluloid

Alexa here.  The arrival of The Master, possibly the last film shot in large format film, has many lamenting the turnover of most theaters from celluloid to digital. Next year 20th Century Fox isn't even distributing film prints of its movies, and the other studios will likely follow soon. Digital is cheaper and easier, but the magical grain and glow of film are certainly unique.  The projectionists are being cast aside along with the reels (see The Last Projectionist for a great trip through that lost craft).  

And what of all those soon-to-be useless reels? Fox's Latin American division announced that they would be sending all that celluloid away to be manufactured into polyester fabric.  Rather than create more flammable clothes, here are some crafters and artists putting all that leftover film to more creative ends.

Collapsible bookshelves using recycled film by VU35.Portraits of Audrey and Marilyn using recycled 8mm film by Erika Iris Simmons. 

Click for more creations, and for how to get your hands on some film stock yourself...

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo film vase by Christian Morgan.

Film reel clock and wine rack, available here and here.

Recycled film bookmarks, available here.

Feeling creative? Get your own film cells and reels here and here, and find this 16mm print of Citizen Kane here.

Comments

[James T]

The portraits are brilliant and beautiful!

[denny]

I need those bookshelves now.

NEED.

NOW.

[Jesse]

Not if I get them first, Denny! Fantastic!

[Andrew]

Yeah, I'm with Denny...I WANT THOSE BOOKSHELVES!!!

[Devin D]

Paul Auster! Yes!