The Celluloid Underground: Vault Access + Super8 Filming
Unlock the secrets of analog film. Go inside one of the oldest film archives in NYC, shoot your own Super8 film on the streets of NYC, and take home a piece of celluloid magic. You’ll be hosted by Michèle Saint-Michel, a filmmaker and curator whose work has been screened internationally and whose network spans the quiet, powerful corners of the city’s experimental art world.
Experience Overview
Part I – Vault Visit:
Begin inside the inner sanctum of the Film-Makers’ Cooperative vault, where Michèle introduces guests to rare 16mm and Super8 film prints. The air smells of old celluloid and memory; it's a space of NYC ghosts and streetlamp glimmers. She’ll explain how filmmakers like Maya Deren and Stan Brakhage used materiality as narrative, and guests will hold real reels in their hands.
Part II – Super8 Shoot:
Outside, each guest helps shoot a roll of Super8 film. Under Michèle’s direction, they’ll shoot brief scenes—fragments of light, gestures, urban movements—while learning how to frame with intuition over logic. The tactile, poetic experience mirrors Michèle’s own practice of filmmaking as embodied feeling.
Part III – Skyline Reflections:
The evening ends with cocktails at 230 Fifth Rooftop or Moono, where the conversation turns to the mythos of analog, intimacy in image-making, and the resonance of what’s unseen. The guests leave with their undeveloped roll, like a message in a bottle for their future self.
- Exclusive access and guided tour of the Film-Makers' Cooperative vault.
- An intimate talk and hands-on Super8 workshop with filmmaker Michèle Saint-Michel.
- Use of a Super8 camera and one roll of film per experience.
- One curated cocktail or beverage at a rooftop bar or restaurant.
- Your undeveloped roll of Super8 film to take home as a unique work of art.
- Insider commentary on the history and artistry of analog filmmaking.
Duration:Each experience lasts approximately 3 hours.
Experience Flow
Gallery
Additional Details
Meeting Point: Film-Makers’ Cooperative
Dress Code: Comfortable chic. You’ll be both indoors and filming outdoors—dress with creative flair but practical comfort. We recommend layers, as the archive vault can be cool.
Guest Responsibility: Bring a sense of curiosity and openness to creative play
Arrive on time to ensure the group can enter the private archive together.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the experience includes a short walk and outdoor filming.
Please bring a valid, government-issued ID (must be 21+ for the cocktail portion).
Be mindful and respectful when handling the rare archival materials.
Who it’s for: This experience is perfect for curious travelers, film lovers, aspiring artists, and anyone seeking a unique, hands-on creative experience in NYC. No prior film knowledge is required—only a sense of curiosity and a love for stories.
Cancellation policy
Guests can cancel up to 7 days before the experience start time for a full refund. Additionally, cancellations made within 24 hours of booking are eligible for a full refund, provided the booking was made more than 48 hours before the experience start time.
Your payment and satisfaction are guaranteed by Viv Élevé.
For more details, please see the Cancellation Policy in the Guest Hub.
FAQ
Q: Do I need any filmmaking experience?
Q: What happens to the film I shoot?
Q: What if the weather is bad for filming?
Q: Will there be digital copies of what we film?