Ernest Fleet Dalby

Kodak's bankruptcy bill: $125 million and climbing

http://www.us-world-news.com/kodak

Here is an interesting video of Charmain & CEO Antonio M. Perez discussing Kodak's "Clear Path to Emergence" (from the Kodak blog):

http://www.uvioo.com...t&v=nR2DfMRraKo

and here is a very, very good article on Kodak's future potential, as well as how these discontinued products may re-emerge...a fascinating read...

http://www.southcoas.../NEWS/212230347

Why is it so difficult to speak to Kodak, why is this company shrouded in mystery please?

It's like any large company...it isn't so much they are difficult to speak to or that they are shrouded in mystery...it's obtaining access to the upper level management that requires a little time.

BTW, the Gas Station Scene video clip you posted earlier made my day. I can't tell you how hard I laughed...I swear I nearly passed out!

Nice post Timoleon. I share your well articulated pain. What I am doing right now is finding a way through my connections to get at the Kodak suits who can disclose if a- any amount of money would mean anything and b- if so, how much, for what. If "a" is answered in the positive, then "b" can and *will* be raised. Hopefully it's a matter of communication, relationships and money of course. I do hope for success, however unlikely...

but I suppose that ultimately I just want the satisfaction of knowing that someone with the assets, clout, connections and business savvy (not me!) was told "no" and hopefully why. I'm sure Kodak has legitimate reasons, etc. that we should respect, but unless I'm mistaken...(and I hope I am)...

>>>> you can't obtain color reversal motion picture film anymore...anywhere in the world <<<< That's NUTS!!!! I'm having a real hard time with this!

I've been a reversal shooter for over 30 years, both in Super 8/Reg 8 and 16mm...and slides too. It seems like I just got a real handle on Ektachrome 100D, the particular way it responds to light, and when and where it can be subtle, or over-the-top with color. This has been my learning curve over the past few years since the Kodachrome ran out in '05 or so. 100D is a very special beast, nothing like it in the history of cinema. I don't believe the small formats (Super 8 and Reg 8) had ever been better. And now it's gone after far too short a life.

 

I belong to the small minority that finishes on film without a workprint. A decent projector, careful hand, and liquid gate printing, and you have a 100% analog 16mm print that looks like no other moving image being produced today (that's a good thing). Another great point in Ektachrome's favor was its color response to internegs--colors shifted much less than Kodachrome (contrast build-up was still a problem, but could be reduced by a minimal post-flash and 1.5 stop pull process on the interneg--done correctly, the d-max on the positive print still betters prints direct from Vision negative). Ironically, I published a piece titled "At this moment" on just this topic in the Winter 2012 issue of The Moving Image (Journal of Motion Picture Archivists). Published literally weeks before the first announcement of slide film getting the ax.

 

My working process is the simplest way to make a beautiful color film, and gives me a necessary visceral connection to the craft. When I can't afford an interneg, I project my originals. I had a show at REDCAT back in September where I showed 30 minutes of camera original films on their excellent Eastman projector, without a scratch (thanks REDCAT!). 16mm 100D on that large screen was absolutely stunning, even if I do say so myself.

 

I know I personally couldn't possibly spend enough at Kodak, at the rate I shoot, to save color reversal. But I believe there are enough of us to keep it alive (regardless of what your process, or whether your final product is digital, original or print). Color reversal is simply too unique, too efficient, and too user-friendly to disappear at this date. All of the prior discontinuations by Kodak could be understood on some level, but this time they have crossed the line. Everytime I went in to the Hollywood office, they were selling Ektachrome--a lot of it. There was a ton of interest. This was not the case at the end of Kodachrome. Kodachrome was loved very much in name only, but Ektachrome 100D seemed to be really starting to catch on in its niche-market kind of way. (And in actuality, if it were only motion picture they were considering, they would not have discontinued it. This was a decision made in the professional still photography division. Most of the assumptions by posters here are correct--I've talked to Kodak employees and they simply did not believe that users would continue to buy it with a price increase necessary to produce it on a smaller scale).

 

I'm not posting here to lament (much) but to really put out feelers to the community to see if we are willing to put our money where our mouth is. I believe what Kodak is looking for (in this age of restructuring) is an outside entity to take on the risk of producing an emulsion (they have said as much). By simply contracting with Kodak to do another run of this film, and paying for it up front, we could supply 35/16/Super 8/8mm motion picture users with another 5 years of this wonderful film. (And it keeps wonderfully well, much better than negative: I've shot rolls that sat in my crappy old 70s fridge for over a year before being processed with no loss of color or d-max).

 

Anyone interested, either with ideas, inside information, committments of support...please contact me. I will be starting the preliminary footwork after the New Year. (I'm also looking at contacting ADOX, who announced a completely in-house produced B/W reversal 100 speed Super 8 this year, though I haven't been able to get my hands on any yet.)

 

Best wishes to you and yours,

Timoleon

Interesting...I wonder...if I had enough money to fund the production of a finite amount of 100D annually, would Kodak even entertain the idea? I sincerely hope it's only a fiscal issue at play here. Seems to me that if it is...there's still a chance. What kinda money are we talking about here? This'll be the second question I get answered...

Thank you gentlemen for your assistance...the resources proved very helpful in what will be my own comprehensive reference.

I've got a decent working knowledge, but some of the variations/model numbers throw me....