I met with Tiberius for two days to talk about methodology.
They are a non-academic and community-based researcher that I have a lot of respect for, and that I was very excited to work with. I hosted them at my house; we had coffee, ate lunch together, walked around the neighbourhood, and talked. We talked about love, joy, trauma, family, conflict and the messy way they all mingle together in trans relationships, spaces, and communities.
They shared their Quilt methodology with me, and I shared some of my filmmaking knowledge with them. I taught them how to use my camera, and gave them a roll of film. They filmed some of our time together, and then took my camera on an adventure to their friend’s farm, where they excitedly shared how the camera worked with their friends.
These are results from that roll of film.
As for the results of the methodology conversation… this film aspires to be grounded in a methodology of visiting, relationality, storywork, and exchange. My plan has shifted from an open call for interviews, to working with a small number of stories in more depth. I’m excited for this direction, and nervous.
Collaboration, whether with a plant or a person, is always tender, is always experimental, and must always be approached with an ethic of love.
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To develop the film, I tested a high temperature eco-developer made with catnip from my partner’s garden. Some of yumyumsoup’s recipes, which has been a real inspiration, call to be developed at 30C, and I wanted to see how the results would look. I think it’s too hot, and my next test will be at 24C, which is the temperature recommended in the 7266 datasheet.

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Catnip Potion

• 200g Catnip
• 3L Boiling Water
• 150g Washing Soda
• 50g Vitamin C

Instructions to brew potion

• Boil water and pour over Catnip. Steep in Sun at least 1 hr.
• Cool to 30C
• Add Washing Soda and mix until incorporated
• Add Vitamin C and mix until fizzing stops
• Use immediately

Test Process for Developing

Kodak 7266 Tri-X Film to Negative

With High Temperature Catnip Potion:

• Remove film from cartridge
• Put film in catnip developer
• Swish it around in the developer every 2-3 minutes
• Develop for 15 Minutes then move to water bath
• Move film to fix and fix film.
• Rinse and hang to dry.