Just to preface - I realize that filmstock is not the major moneymaker for Kodak. That being said, the Kodak 16mm film kit includes processing and a one-light telecine to SD tape for 50 minutes of film for $1150. While this is a good deal compared to what the cost could be, it is still a great deal of money, especially for students. Now, I have no knowledge of how much money it costs to produce filmstock, especially since the film industry is a ?limited market?, but I would not be surprised if there is an astronomical mark up. There are only two companys making filmstock currently, one or both needs to bite the bullet if they still want to be making decent profits off filmstock 20 to 50 years from now. AND I know there are some that are going to say ?50 years, get real?, but the fact is that celluloid will always, or at least SHOULD always have a place in the arsenal of tools that a moviemaker has to tell his story. I really think they owe it to the film community to start offering lower priced film (at least to students).
I am 18 years old. I have shot on film (super 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm). I love film. But film is expensive, and I will have a hard time producing future student projects on celluloid because of that expense. Kodak, cut me a brake now and I?ll be sure to give you business in the future.