james donovan

Ok so I won the auction...might leave the EXR...I have plenty of 100 ft daylight spools..but i reread your post about having a split reel. How does the 400ft reel look like? Is it like a big version of the 100 ft? can i do the maneuver with 2 100 ft spools because its only 34 metres on the core...thanks for the help

I am filming a personal project but I still care about getting results. Unfortunately I cant care £30 pounds for new stock and all of the processing costs etc. Think I might buy both and shoot both...Could stretch to that possibly... Looked on your vimeo and your EXR looked lovely...the reds and the greens were really really deep. Do you think that its alot to do with the telecine grading or is it a attribute of the stock itself - the rich colour and all....?

I think the film would fill up the spool so you cant get any more on... Thanks Ian! Now I have the chance of getting some 7201 short end that is about 9 months old....which I would have to respool...Or there is some 50 D EXR film 100 ft that has been refrigerated...Considering I am on a micro budget...which would you go for...? They are both around 3-4 UK pounds.(or thats how much i will pay for them) If i go with the EXR i dont have the headache of respooling but its probably 15 years out of date... If I go with short end I have got to contend with respooling... What would you do? Decisions, decisions...

So I am about to buy a 34 meter short end 400 ft reel. 7201 50d. I want to respool it to a 100 ft spool to fit in my bolex. Can i do this sort of thing in a bathroom? And what would the procedure be? respool it to a new spool and then rewind it back to another ?

Cool. Now would flicker be a problem with the fluorescent lighting? I believe the shutter is something like 1/30th for single frame on the RX5...I have forgotten whether its the shutter that causes the flicker or the electrics in the lights that fluctuates...?

Hi, I was looking at a good telecine of this film on the internet and I really like the fine grain of the film. I am making a stop motion animation film with photographs (each frame will be a shot of a photo from my 16mm bolex) What kind of lighting power would you need to work with that film indoors? Would it be possible to make a lighting kit for this purpose from a hardware store? Or would it be simpler to set my project up outside on a sunny, cloudless day and shoot outside? I could imagine that could cause problems what with weather being temperamental? TY

Hi, it will not let me change at the moment due to an error, will sort it out when i get back from work, thanks,

Thanks for that reply Andy, I hope my user name is more appropriate. So I understand that directing is an amalgamation of everything involved with the film making process? I am moderately technical but coming to a forum like this one, the gulf between me and what people are discussing here seems to be huge. I find it funny that when I watch films that aren't nessacerily any "good," in my opinion, technically they are pretty much perfect, what with lighting etc. - So in theory the director could put themselves in the position of acquiring the best people possible and take it from there, or rather my question should be how much technical hands on work should the director take on or is expected of them. Excuse me for the daft questions!

Hello, I always had the assumption that the role of director in filmmaking was primarily about the look and imagery of the respective films, but reading around the forums recently I have realised that, this job primarily rests upon the cinematographers shoulders, as the role requires the technical know how. I am thinking about going to film school and direction seems to be the path everyone wants to follow. But isn't it more beneficial to try to become a cinematographer first and then enter into directing projects? Thanks, h.dog

these are good ideas - i like the idea of having regular 8mm on 16mm sounds interesting - would there be 2 images one right way up and the other the right way round, or would there be 4?

Hi, I was just wondering whether theres a super 8 camera that has a backwind facility for rewinding the film. Is the Nizo 6080 capable of doing such tricks? I want to super impose images so any advice would be great, thanks

thanks for the info - you owned a jk printer? that must have been great. i think I will try the matte box idea out for starters- but do you think that the lines will be defined or fuzzy/hazy?

Hi, I was just wondering whether there is a contraption that allows you to film multiple images on 16mm film, but with each shot composed into compartments - take this image that artist Gordon Matta Clark made of a house with independent photographs for rooms collaged together. Does anybody have any idea as to how to collage an image like this, with different shots making up the one image? I think if I used my bolex I would have to do alot of rewinding etc, but any ideas would be fantastic, thanks, (ps i hope i explained myself ok)

Hi Tim, I enquired about service on the arri s that was available in the uk and i talked to the big "Arriflex" company in London. wow, big difference in price, i think it would be cheaper to ship it out to you! and I also tried another company but it was alot cheaper. i asked them whether they used the factory lubricants but they didnt get back to me, so i assume they don't. Is it really important to have the custom oils? Thanks for your time,

Hi, I was just wondering what the difference was with the German and French circuit/electronics on these cameras? Is the German version better over the French? Thanks

In the Uk there is alot of 16mm work. I remember going to a film lab and seeing BBC programme canisters, music videos and commercials. Also there is an art based contingent, who use film as well as their principle medium,

Hi Tim, now I think I spoken to you before about an arri camera - great site by the way. If I sent it out to you by post do you think the movement in transit would hurt the camera? If I packed the camera incredibly well then I dont think that would be a problem. Now this might defeat your whole business but are there any reputable people who know of arri repair in the UK? If you get many cameras to repair coming in from across the pond then I suppose it is not an issue, thanks How often do you service it?

Hi, I know someone that is selling an Arri S - full kit, only problem is that it's been stored safely for 10 years and not been used. Is it a fair bet to say that it wont work/ developed a fault/ something to avoid? Would a service be in order, or is it a no go? Thanks I appreciate your help!

Thanks for that Tim, I am talking with them about it. I stumbled across your site the other day, and it's the best one I have found for the Arri s (the only one?) I am just weighing up the possibility of getting one from Hungary, Ebay. I know it sounds completely ubsurd; the camera looks quite beat up - but at $500 for a complete kit...? What do you think, should I simply hold out and save for a decent one? Thanks

Hello, does anyone know of a company in the UK, England, who fix/service the arriflex s? It seems alot more common over there in the states to find service for the arriflex. Help is appreciated! thanks

Thanks for sharing the knowledge, I've put a bid down now on the ebm so we shall see how it goes, I might even pick up a cheap bolex to do time lapse work. But for the moment I work to get into long shots like Haneke (so I guess that an electric camera would be good)..

Thanks for the info! I shall check into it, do you have an ebm? If so, do you think it's a good camera to invest in, damien

Hi, thanks, do you think that a clockwork bolex with a sync motor would offer more versatility over the ebm? Thanks for your time, damien

Hi, I have recently seen a nice bolex ebm going on ebay in America. However before I do anything rash, I dont suppose anyone out there knows whether the electronics of the camera would be suitable for UK voltages/power supply? I was thinking of getting a convertor, but havent looked into it that much, or buying a new battery and charger altogether. Would that work on a bolex from America? Thanks for your time, Damo By the way I live in England! D