J. Anthony Gonzales

Hi: I am working on a project that will be shot on Super 8. This project is mostly geared towards internet consumption, with possible DVD availability. I have been talking with the guys at Spectra and this is the idea we came up with. We are shooting at 18fps. What we are going to do is transfer at 30p and get a frame-by-frame scan, so we'll get all the frames. Then the plan is to slow the footage down in post using the NLE or After Effects or something in order to get it to play at the proper speed for the internet. Has anybody done something like this? If so, how were the results? John G.

James: There's a book called "The Film Editing Room Handbook" by Norman Hollyn. Go to Amazon and look for the old 2nd edition copy dated January 1990. There's a whole chapter on working with Kem, building Kem roles, etc. You can get a nice used copy for only a couple of bucks! Also, check out any behind the scene stuff involving Henry Jaglom. He still uses a Kem to cut his films on. Won't touch video. The Kem actually has a "starring" role in his film, Venice/Venice. John G.

So, I contacted NT audio today. Came out to about .24/ft. including full-coat stock. And they don't have the means to transfer 1/4", so that's a DAT price. I have a few other leads I'm going to look into. Now, mind you, I do have an old MagnaTech dubber that would do the trick. It has an input for sync to a Nagra. I intend to use this machine for scratch tracks and effects. As I am by no means a sound engineer, I would be afraid to transfer all of my production/dialog reels on this machine. Can this be a simple job in so much as just setting the output levels from the Nagra and the input levels on the MagnaTech right? Is that in itself easy to do? 35mm mag stock runs about .04/ft for stripe. That would obviuosly be the cheapest option. John G.

About three or four years ago, there was a screening room site that did transfers. Cost was 11 cents per 35mm foot and that included mag stock. They are no longer around, from what I can tell. Hopefully I can find somewhere. I checked out the NT Audio website. I'll give them a call on Monday. John G.

Really? I haven't logged on in a while. Anyway, ok. Display name updated. James: I've got 5! My 8-plate is my baby. It has a nice pair of 3-way picture heads on it. Believe it or not, I've got a 8-perf VistaVision picture head laying around somewhere. Yes, old school DOES rule! Are you local in Los Angeles? John G.

Yes, I could go digital, but it'd be a little hard threading DAT on my KEM. =) And yes, still looking for any leads on my original question. Anybody out there have anything? Thanks, John G.

Hi. Does anybody know of any good shops in Los Angeles that still transfer 1/4" tape to 35mm mag? Any leads would be much appreciated. Thanks, John G.

Must be something to Mr. Gallo in order to draw out this thread? :) I don't know him personally, but here is what I do know. I really like Buffalo 66. I like the story it tells. I like Gallo as an actor. I think he has a certain way about him that tranlates well into the characters that he plays, even if it's the same one mostly: vulnerable a**hole. Talent is relative and personal. I think he's got a lot more talent then half the stuff I've seen. But, that's justmy opinion. Didn't know he was a staunch Republican :blink: ... Nah, I won't go there. <_< John G.

I don't know your friend, nor am I passing any judgement, but heck, if he got a bunch of meetings with producers, sounds like he did okay to me. =) Rick: It sounds like you had shooting 35mm in mind when trying to figure this out. What I'd say is take your four grand and make a kick ass 5-10 minute short film on 16. Just limit your crew to the essentials/friends/etc. to keep within budget. That way you can demonstrate you can hold a story together in the medium rather than pieces of a story in a trailer. Then, when you get all those "you-da-man!" calls from all those producers, you can whip out your feature script to wow them with. ;) John

Just curious: Is sales tax charged on motion picture film stock from Kodak in California? And do they charge sales tax at the labs for processing? Thanks.

I think that actually shooting the photos gives a bit more to the film. Burns is a good example. Also look at Dogtown and Z-Boys for some really cool stuff. John

With the later model 1M's, you can use the motors that have the controller boxes. From the description, "The camera has the cylindrical controller attached to the side, which is connected to the round housing on the side of the camera...", it sounds like the early 1M's or KSR-1's with the rheostat motor, as it is more "cylindrical" than the later motors and attaches to the crank housing, in lieu of the hand crank. Yep, the rheostat motor is a basic variable speed motor that doesn't really keep sync. BUT, it's definitely fine for MOS shooting.

Instead of "film look", it should be "to look like film". Film and digital are two different mediums. It's kind of like doing a water color painting and saying, How do I give it that "oils look". Easy, use oils. Whether or not one is better than the other really depends on the project. If I am shooting a run and gun documentary, I'd probably shoot digital. If I am shooting a scope costume drama, then I'm going do it on film. Just my two cents. John

You won't need the controller box for the rheostat motor. I am sure that others have done different and similar things, but here's a cheap and easy solution that will set you up: You will need the following items: 1. Original power cable (contact a Russian dealer). 2. 6V 12A Sealed Battery (Werker or other brand from Batteries Plus, etc.) 3. A fanny pack, small camera bag or other small carrying bag 4. Simple wiring, male and female connectors The batteries run about $20. Put together a simple "battery belt" and you should be up and running for under $40. You'll also want to get a charger. You can get one at the battery shop as well. If you are mechanically inclined, you can re-wire the connectors on the motor to accept an XLR or other plug. The original cable is the easiest way, in my opinion. Oh, and be sure to follow the recommended duty cycles for the motor. It can get a bit warm.

Kodak no longer has list pricing on their site (or at least where I can find it). They updated their catalog quick reference but no pricing on the sheets. Check out Film Emporium at www.filmemporium.com. They have pricing from factory fresh stock to short ends. The factory fresh prices are pretty much in par with Kodak list pricing minus about 10% or so. John G.