Past and present details.
Behind the Scenes
Helen’s Camera
Helen purchased her camera, a Cine-Kodak Model B, in 1925.
It was the first movie camera available for 16mm film.
It was also specifically intended for shooting home movies, which is what Helen used it for during the 1920’s and 30’s.
Helen filmed and edited her home movies herself.
When Helen would edit her films, she would press the glued splice together with her thumb, leaving a thumbprint behind.
Present Day Colorization and Editing
Helen began filming just over a century ago, when colored film was not yet commonplace.
Today, Helen’s films have been colorized using both AI and human-driven processes.
Videos and clips available on Helen’s Films YouTube channel have been carefully reviewed and edited together using iMovie.
The colorization and sharing of Helen’s work is possible due to careful preservation of Helen’s belongings.
Helen’s camera and its film rolls, complete with original handwritten labels, have been cared for by the Johnson family for the past century and remain in their possession to this day.
Fun Facts
Helen filmed in Illinois, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Florida, Nebraska, Michigan, and even Europe.
The Johnsons’ summer home, named Gjerager after the Norwegian farm the Johnson family once emigrated from, features frequently in her films.
The house, which still stands today, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905.
Wright intended to use a combination of light and dark stain on the house’s interior. However, the house was ultimately painted white with green trim as requested by Martha Johnson.