Ben Reed

Alan, that's amazing and tragic (the bit about no copy). I'd forgotten all about Finlay Quaye, my mum had his first album, but I only really remember the singles. I just got really excited because I thought I'd found your video on youtube in a long clip from the ITV chart show (the only place I ever saw music videos as a kid), but the pricks only show one minute of it before cutting to Steps (argh!) it's here (it starts at 3:20) It's really gutting cos it looks fantastic (still better one minute's than nothing). It sounds a gutsy experiment to try out, esp for a commission; hats off to you! You should see if the label still has a beta master (I expect the rushes are long gone?)

Hello all, I also posted this in the super 8, but it was recommended I also post it here. I shot this film last year, and have just uploaded it. The film is about a rabid fan of the footballer Eric Cantona and his disillusion at a post-Cantona world. It's here: http://www.vimeo.com/3883147 It's only 2 minutes so hopefully it doesn't outstay it's welcome. I'd love to know what people think of it (positive and negative both welcome), and also how people interpret it too. It was shot on tri-x and pan-x reversal on a Canon 814 Electronic Autozoom. Cheers, Ben P.

Matthew, cheers for the comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the film. As for the 'please critique' section, I'll head over there now (do you think it's alright to double post in two forums?). Ben

Tom, thanks alot. I did use the stocks exactly as you mentioned above, although I did shoot a little bit of tri-x outside, it looked quite ugly though, a bit flat, and obviously wouldn't cut together with the plus-x; a great lesson learnt though! Ben

Hello All, I just uploaded my first super 8 short, I shot it last year with Tri-x and Plus-x reversal and my Canon 814 electronic auto zoom, using the cameras built-in auto exposure. I would love to know what people think, even if you hate it. It's a fiction piece about a fan of Eric Cantona, and it's less than 2 minutes, so it doesn't outstay it's welcome. Here's the link: http://www.vimeo.com/3883147 Let me know if this post is unwelcome and I'll remove it. Cheers, Ben

Michael, Thanks for your response, I feel a lot more at ease at now, also I'll head over to your FAQ section to get all my facts sorted. Cheers, Ben

I'm a bit late on this topic, but it is something that has concerned me recently. Last week I was told by "That's a Wrap" (London) that they don't use the royal mail to send film stock because they xray the packages, I recently used the royal mail to send film for processing and had no problems, but my big concern is with sending film abroad; I have some kodachrome which will obviously have to go to 'Dwaynes'. Am I better off sending it with a courier than a national postal service? Will that help at all? Is my concern justified? If I write "contains photo-sensitive material" on the package will it help? Thanks in advance, Ben

Jim, thanks for the response. Grinding down the sprocket grips sounds a bit sketchy (if I did it anyway!), is it still possible to get it modified professionally? If so, is it an expensive procedure. Cheers, Ben

Hello Justin, The samples look great. I was just wondering what process was used? Also a few questions about cross-processing; do most labs do it on request? Is there an extra charge? and lastly, in general is it risky? Sorry for the barrage of questions (i am a newbie to shooting on film!). I just thought I'd say your blog is a great educational tool for inexperienced film-makers making decisions on which film stocks to use. Also I just posted a question on the blog which I might aswell post it here too; it's about the transfer of 'the national' video; Can I just ask what this was telecined onto? and what camera was used? Cheers, Ben

I recently bought a bolex H16 (I think it's a Deluxe, the serial number 11997 suggests 1955). Being fairly ignorant about film stocks I figured all standard 16mm was double perf. My bolex requires double perfs. Beyond a pdf on the kodak website I can't find any information from sellers of film stock as to wether the film stock they stock is single or double perf (unless I look at the CAT no on the picture; although not all the sites have pictures). My questions: 1. Does anyone know when (or with what model) bolex changed the H16 from double to single perf? 2. Can I get away with running single perf film stock through my double perf camera? 3. Does anyone still use double perf 16mm film? Thanks in advance. Ben