Path
Path is a montage-style short film with no structured timeline. It is a nonlinear editing style film rather than a traditional narrative. The story is meant to be interpreted by the viewer, but the heart of the film is simple: to romanticize the world around you and celebrate the beauty of nature.
Path was shot entirely on a 16mm Bolex camera. Learning to use it taught me a lot about how much care and technical knowledge went into films made on this equipment. I had to figure out which type of film stock would best fit my vision, how to read a light meter, how to load the film correctly, and how to calculate how many feet of footage I had left, which also meant how many takes I could afford. It took me three full attempts to really get the hang of the Bolex without making mistakes, but every try taught me something new.
For this project, I took on every role: creator, director, videographer, and editor. I brought a friend on board to be the subject of the film and shared the vision with her. She immediately connected with the idea, and even while we were on location, she came up with extra moments and movements for her character that helped shape the final piece.
After filming, the rolls of 16mm footage were sent off for processing and digitization. Once the files came back, the real challenge began: editing. Because the project was shot silently, I had to build all the audio from scratch, the ambience, background sounds, subtle effects, everything needed to make each shot feel alive and grounded. Matching the right sounds to each visual was a huge lesson in how important audio is for shaping a film’s mood and realism.
Path taught me a lot: the technical discipline of shooting on film, the patience required when mistakes happen, and the importance of adapting ideas along the way. Most importantly, it showed me how beautiful something can become when you experiment, stay persistent, and allow the process to guide you. Never did I think I would be making a video out of 16MM film in the 21st Century.
Sophia Grill sketching in her sketchbook on a picnic table during a crisp fall day.
