Film processing effects - share your discovery!

Hi.

Okay, I've taken the plunge into home processing my films. Fun, but VERY time consuming.

My questions is this : What kinda of effects can I get during certain stages? I know if I drop various items like a penny or a safety pin it tints the film a certain color - but exactly what will I get with what item? I can't afford to experiment too much since it is expensive to just play with film - wish somebody would give me a film grant to just screw around with processing! Hahaha.

Oh yeah, I remember watching a Japanese experimental short about - well I guess it was well over 10 years ago. It was shot on Super 8 in the late 70's and had this really cool silver or chrome color to the film. Anybody know how I can get that? I'd love to duplicate it.

Thanks!

I have reused my developers over and over again to get some really soft images and sometimes a ghostly outline. Hey, try for a grant I know of people who have gotten them before to play with processing.