Hello everyone,
So, since last week i can call myself a proud owner of a Moviecam Compact mkII :) Yeehh.
I always had an affinity for Film but was never able to use Film for obvious reasons: $$$$
Today i took the time to do a serious research.
- where can i buy film?
- where can i develop it?
- who offers the best scan service?
Well, most of you already heard the news: Fujifilm stoped producing Filmstock in January 2013. No new Filmstock is avaiable anymore.
Let's talk Kodak. Today i had a nice conversation on the phone with a representative from Kodak. Subject of course was me fear that Kodak alsowill stop production of Filmstock. No, they won't. The Lady told me, Kodak will continue the production of 8mm, super8mm, 16mm and 35mm Filmstock for the next 10 years "GUARANTEED"!!
That is good news. But what does it cost to buy Film? Well i can tell you roughly as i have european prices here. A 400' Foot Roll of Kodak Vision 3 , 500T cost me around 285 US$ BUT the minimum order is 600$ so i will buy 3 Rolls ( 3x 4.46 minutes of film)
Then i called Arri headquarter for developing and scanning my 3 Filmrolls. Straight forward, Scanning my 3 films in 2K is out of Question. But they gave my some sweet deal, tough. per 400' they ask 175 US$ for the development and preparing to scan. So we're talking about 525.00 US$ for 3 rolls of 400' Film. Thats not to bad, isn't it?
Well, i still need a scan, so they offered me a "student price" for a full HD scan (1920 x 1080)
Per Film Minute (not labor minute) they ask aroun 11.20$ which would be 168.00 US$ for my 3 Rolls of 35mm Film.
Let's be realistic. Cut 1/3, because you will waste film. Especially if you are a beginner like i am.
I have Calculated that 3 Rolls of 35mm Film (400 foot) will give me 10 Minutes of "Movie" and it will cost me roughly 1500.00 US$ (purchase film, developing and scanning)
That ain't to bad?! Honestly i expected twice the price. of course this is a very rough calculation. Let's say +/- 100$
Lets assume we're going to shoot a Music Video. At least here in Switzerland you pay for an Arri Alexy 1400.00 US$ rental per day!
Same Company is asking 400 US$ rental for a Moviecam Superamerica. Your shooting takes 2 days....
I wish i could bring that argument everytime when i read the comments in forums when they talk about price and claim that shoting on Video is cheaper.
And btw, im sure David can confirm that, a 2k or 4k video post production will cost most likely 3times what a film post production costs. (depends on the production company of course)
My conclusion: Film is not necessarily more expensive that Video. Maybe equal. At the end you have to ask yourself: Do i want Film or do i want Video. i'd rather Film because of the rich dynamic which can not be done with Video.
Respectfully
Randy
ooh i should mention that i know all this. when i said i am a newbie with film, that would be true as i never shot on film professionally! i did a few shots on 16mm but those were hobby projects and just "fiddling around". BUT in general i am not really a beginner. i was at the brighton film school in england and i learned queit a lot there. i only wish it was more focused on film than on video.... Randy