Neglab Reopens in Australia in Response to Demand for Film Processing

Sue Smith · October 10, 2013

Veteran Facility Owner Werner Winkelmann Will Oversee Motion Picture Film Processing

(SYDNEY, Australia) Neglab, a motion picture film laboratory for processing 35mm and 16mm color negative, will reopen its doors later this month, providing high-quality film processing services to the region. Werner Winkelmann, original owner of the facility, has over 25 years of experience working in the lab industry and brings extensive expertise to the entire imaging chain.

"All of us at Neglab are thrilled to re-engage with the filmmaking community and provide outstanding lab services for the region," says Winkelmann, co-founder and technical operations manager. "We are poised to provide unparalleled services, and have brought together a staff of professionals with incredible knowledge and a dedication to superior quality control standards."

A recognized expert in the laboratory business, Winkelmann has been involved in building ECN2, ECP2 and ECP3, and black-and-white processors throughout his career. Joining him at Neglab will be Herbert Stegbauer, director and owner of Stegbauer Pty., manufacturer and supplier of film processing equipment. Stegbauer started his career at Colorfilm and later co-founded Filmlab Engineering. Neglab will operate out of Stegbauer's factory. Together, Winkelmann and Stegbauer have assembled a team of experts with over 80 years of experience in the film industry.

Neglab has been designed to provide superior motion picture laboratory services to filmmakers, installing the latest design magnetic drive processor, and surpassing standards for cleanliness. The backup and safety systems on Neglab's processor ensure trouble free operation and perfect processing of 35mm and 16mm color negative formats.

"Customer service is a priority for us," adds Winkelmann. "We know that labs need to be responsive to filmmakers. We offer location pick up and handling anywhere within the Sydney central business district, and all rushes will be quickly delivered directly to the production's telecine facility of choice. We can also arrange Interstate shipments at reasonable rates, when requested by the customer."

Neglab originally opened in July 1997, and briefly suspended operations a few years ago based on industry economics. But with today's production landscape and a resurging choice by filmmakers to originate on film, Winkelmann saw an opportunity to reopen.

For more information on Neglab, contact w.winkelmann.48@gmail.com, or call +0409.928.117.

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Mark Kenfield · October 13, 2013

Great news! The idea of having to send off 16mm reels to Asia just to get processed did NOT sit well with me.

Guess there's no reason to hold back now on scrambling together those off-cuts to shoot another S16mm short!

Keith Walters · October 14, 2013

This is pretty much what I expected to happen.

There's simply not enough processing work any more to support the likes of Deluxe/Atlab, but it doesn't mean that nobody could make a living out of it.

The good thing about film processing equipment, is that, like film cameras, the equipment never really gets out of date.

Looking at the quite staggering 1080p image quality you can get even out of quite cheap still cameras these days, along with the steadily improving low-light performance, it makes you wonder whether it will be the video rental companies that actually go under first....

You can still get Polaroid film for Christ's Sake, so if they can get the required chemicals for that, I can't see how sourcing the required processing chemicals for 35mm negative could be all that hard.

Phil Rhodes · October 14, 2013

I just wrote this up for publication - hope they manage to make it work.

From what I could see, the only other options would be to ship unprocessed neg to, where, Thailand or the US? Ugh.

Alan Duckworth · October 15, 2013

Phil: please post a link to the article when it goes live,

Thanks,

Alan

Gareth Blackstock · October 20, 2013

http://if.com.au/2013/10/11/article/Neglab-Reopens-in-Australia-in-Response-to-Demand-for-Film-Processing/DEAMJACATY.html

Alan Duckworth · October 21, 2013

@Gareth - Thanks for that original link, very useful.

I am still interested in a link to Phil's article when it comes out.

Alan

Prashantt Rai · October 21, 2013

re-opening of a processing lab in these times when everything is going digital is a welcome sign.

the other day I received an email from a young australian filmmaker who was asking me where could he get his s16 negatives for his short film processed. And then came the news that neglab re-opens.

It will be great for younger filmmakers who want to work on celluloid to tell their stories.

James Ballard · November 14, 2013

Any more news on this gents? Just sent an email to Werner's email but it bounced back saying the email doesn't exist! Would love to know as I'll have 1200ft of stock to develop come the end of next week.