Released March 2007 on The Brass Bed's own Bar Hum Bug label, “The Super8 Video LP DVD” was conceived to be the visual companion to The Brass Bed’s ”Save Your Breath” album of 2001.



This project began in 2002, with an open call to a pool of underground film-makers from the Melbourne Super 8 Film Group (This group is now defunct; it morphed into the Moving Image Coalition, now also defunct). Around 1999 Stu Thomas involved himself with this group because of a mutual love of short film-making and the medium of Super 8. Also, he wanted to filter The Brass Bed's music through a filmic portal and the band played at quite a few live film events, often in a darkened theatre whilst films were projected, providing a spontaneous soundtrack. Stu got inspired to rope in this collective talent for a project beyond the confines of the band or the film group.



After 15 film-makers had agreed to be involved, they were given a song each from the album to freely interpret, but they were asked to strictly use Super 8 film, which was provided to them. A deadline was imposed on the whole thing (which, in the end was stretched beyond recognition). They all worked for free, some were quick and some took their time (years in some cases). Stu kept the project bouyant, keeping track of the film-makers thru house-shifts, false starts, work commitments and other brick walls. Stu provided film, helped, pep-talked & pushed a little when required, until finally, all the films were complete.

Stu then undertook the long processes of getting the film processed, transferring each film to miniDV (via Rotascope), then into a computer for editing, another elongated process [made longer by Stu recording and releasing his first album, gigging, touring Europe 3 times (twice with Kim Salmon), working days, joining Dave Graney's band, touring Australia, buying a house, moving, changing jobs etc etc..].

Technology took a leap during the project's gestation, and so did Stu's knowledge curve of video editing.

It turned out as an interesting DVD, featuring each film-maker's quirks, obsessions plus Super 8 trickery. There's scratching of film, bleaching of film, cutting/pasting, colouring, general abuse of film, but also a respect for Super 8 and its qualities. With a lot of careful manipulation by all the directors, the vision fits the sound and vice versa. The synchronicity of chance has won again. Risks were taken. The dice was thrown at the start and there was no doubt they would land right.