The Super 8 Generation - by Steve Vivona

The arrival of Super 8 (which I have yet to see) got me thinking about the “Golden Years,” that period of time in my life from approximately 1977-1985 (ish) when the most influential films of my generation were released. Those films represent not only wonderful entertainment that I revisit constantly, but they helped me form bonds with people who became enduring and lifelong friends – both when these films were released, and later when I met like-minded individuals who were nourished by them as I was.

None of us ended up working at the Ranch or at ILM, but many of my friends can trace their chosen profession back to their love of these films. The list will vary from person to person, but for me it includes the original Star Wars trilogy, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Superman I and II, Star Trek II and III, Ghostbusters, Close Encounters, Alien, E.T., Gremlins, Back to the Future and to a lesser degree, 2010, Tron and Blade Runner. Why is Jaws not on the list? It definitely merits inclusion, but it came out in 1975, and I was too young to appreciate it.

These films are my heavy hitters – the ones that, when they were released on VHS, I watched every day, and the ones I make a point of watching at least once a year now (not as easy as it sounds).

These films spoke to anyone whose imagination was predisposed to fantasy, adventure or science fiction. They were not disposable entertainment. They captured our imaginations – they made us want to unlock the secrets behind their production (in an era that predated the Internet and the “special edition” that was no small feat. God bless you, Starlog!)

I tend to think my generation, plus or minus five years, was very lucky. I don’t believe there has been as fertile a period in American filmmaking for this type of product before or since. While I consider the late 80s another golden period it’s for completely different reasons, ones not nearly as magical. I had to cut this off somewhere, so let’s say the next period begins in ’86 with Aliens.

We can thank the fact that directors like Lucas and Spielberg were combining their love of adventure serials and classic science fiction with themes they wrestled with in their own lives. We comic book fans owe Richard Donner a debt of gratitude for not allowing the Man of Steel to be reduced to a camp construct, thus setting the standard for future superhero films (that came along once special effects caught up to their fantastic abilities).

We can thank the intense perfectionism of Ridley Scott, the heart of Robert Zemeckis and the whimsy of Joe Dante. Star Trek fans can thank the practicality of Harve Bennett.

The nostalgia created by these films is intense. The discussion they generate is endless. And as I noted initially, they helped foster friendships, bridging the gulf between people who may or may not have come together (it certainly greased the wheels). When I was a small child, we played with our toys and pretended we were those characters. When I was a young adult we pored over every detail as we discovered like minded individuals who actually wanted to do just that! That we could still be talking about this stuff 20-30 years later fascinates me.

The films grew with us. They hooked us as young children with dazzling effects and high adventure. They spoke to us adults; exploring themes and relationships we all recognize and struggle with. Their appeal continues because they remind us of a time when all we had to worry about was arguing about them or pretending to be part of that world. And of course, many now share that love with their children.

The day Revenge of the Sith came out I got a long distance call from Florida from a friend I hadn’t spoken to in possibly 1-2 years. He had to hear what I thought, and the conversation was less critical analysis and more, “Wasn’t it cool when….”

At a time in life when stuff can easily get pretty heavy it’s wonderful to have these films to fall back on. You know there’s always someone out there ready to at least spend some time e-mailing back and forth about it, and give you a nice respite from the day.

When a good friend suggested taking these conversations into the podcasting realm I jumped at the chance, not so much because I wanted to fill cyberspace with my pontifications (an added bonus, to be sure) but I saw it as a way to interact more with these people the way we used to.

While it may be a matter of debate I believe my life isn’t completely overwhelmed by my love of these films and the ephemera surrounding them. I feel a certain smug superiority when I stroll through a convention hall (yes, I know that’s mean), but I’d like to believe I have a well-rounded existence. I have friends who couldn’t care less about this stuff, and I married someone who certainly doesn’t.

When I think of all the good that has come from losing myself in these films I really am grateful. At each stage of my life thus far they have served a concrete purpose, whether as an escape, an icebreaker, a bridge or even a lesson.

My hope for Super 8 is that it evokes what I spilled all this ink explaining.