Imaginary Forces

Working closely with Director Nick Cassavetes and Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, Imaginary Forces had the unique opportunity to shoot the actors on set for the opening title sequence for My Sister’s Keeper. To achieve the look of the footage, as if seen directly from a memory, IF used a Super 8mm camera to capture the images, and laid them against the backdrop of a blank journal.

Originally intended to include more stills than footage, various experimental environments and shooting at various frame rates allowed the Super 8mm footage to become the dominant aspect of the overall design. By pushing the limits of the Super 8mm camera, a look was developed that required little to no post effects for clean up or color.

The filmmakers also encouraged a non-linear editorial approach, which presented the challenge of taking the conventional, nostalgic quality of home movies and counter it with abstract visuals of birth and death.