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Gentlemen (and ladies), as some of you know I have shot on film and digital. My first short was shot on super16 way back in 2001 and I had a 35 blowup for festivals. A little trailer I cut in December from an HD scan of our blowup... http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tMFRPMHTiZ0#! Over the last three years I have shot a number of shorts, some using DSLRS and some 8mm (a format I love). Right now I am in talks with some people about a feature film project and while everyone wants to shoot on the RED EPIC, just because the EPIC is cool and easy and cheap (uh, yeah, ok), I want to shoot one of the three acts on film. The story lends itself to this as we need a different look for each act. I also want to be able to say "we shot on film" not only because it's an interesting talking point, but also because before long I think it won't be possible. What I need to know is this: What would you advise as the cheapest solution and workflow for shooting on Super 16? 35mm is out, naturally, due to cost. I like the look of super 16 and it's easy to find lenses in the NYC area. Back in 2001 when I shot my first short the negatives were processed, given a one light with time code and we edited in AVID. Then the negative was cut AB style and we bypassed creating a positive (because I was out of money) and made a 35mm print from the AB rolls. (For a feature we clearly would not have been able to skip the positive step) It is now my understanding that traditional negative cutting is almost never used today. ??? The people involved with this planned film are almost 100% RED and 5D people and as you can imagine, mostly low low budgeters. Those that have shot on film were not in any way involved with post. So I go to you for ideas! I hear things like, "It's too expensive to scan all that negative and color correct it." So how about photo chemically, like it used to be done? "No that's too expensive too." Etc. etc. Thanks for your help.

Hi. Most of my narrative films are shot on RED camera´s. I have a job where we might shoot on Arri Alexa camera. I heart that post production and color correction is easier with Alexa. Any in here with great experience with the Alexa workflow:-)? Best, Henrik A. Meyer. www.henrikameyer.com

FotoKem and SPY (a FotoKem company) combined in-house talent and key post-production services for the Sundance winning film Fruitvale, written and directed by Ryan Coogler with cinematography by Rachel Morrison. The film won the festival’s coveted Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for a drama, and was acquired by The Weinstein Company soon after its premiere screening. Providing end-to-end services for the Super 16 mm project, FotoKem and SPY worked closely with the filmmakers from start to finish. Fruitvale was processed and transferred at FotoKem in Burbank. The files were delivered to SPY’s headquarters in San Francisco, where colorist Chris Martin color graded the film with Coogler and Morrison. The two facilities are securely connected by a high-speed network offering real-time interface capabilities between the locations to provide the creative community with easy access to the full breadth of post-production services that FotoKem and its companies offer. Fruitvale follows the final day of 22-year old Oscar Grant, who was gunned down by a police officer at the Fruitvale stop of an Oakland transit line. The tragedy was caught on video, and the incident made national headlines. The movie was shot on location in San Francisco. The Super 16 footage was then shipped to Burbank, scanned to HDCAM SR, and conformed at SPY. “When I met with Ryan and Rachel prior to production, they were committed to shooting film. They felt strongly that film would convey the emotion they wanted to draw from Oscar's character,” recalls Martin. “Our color grade supported the quality of grain and tonal palette that the Super 16 format brought to the story. Specifically, we approached the process as if we were timing in a film laboratory, avoiding the feeling of a digital grade. Building in contrast and adding weight to the mid-tones, rather than overcooking the shadows and highlights, brought a very specific emotional element to the film. The result is a feeling of intimacy that holds the personality of the film and supports Rachel’s amazing camera work. Obviously the audience at Sundance agreed!” Martin notes that Fruitvale can be divided into two worlds - the quiet intimate world of Oscar and his family, and the larger institutional world where Oscar encounters conflict. “Oscar's world tends to be defined by warmer scenes with more intimate contrast while the institutional scenes are seen with a wider lens and more mixed lighting, embracing an observational feel,” says Martin. “So while we maintained the same approach for all the scenes, there's a wonderful dichotomy between the two worlds.” “We are honored to have collaborated with the talented team behind Fruitvale. At FotoKem, we continually strive to offer independent filmmakers the workflow expertise that they need, and invest in the talent and technology to support their creative visions,” says FotoKem’s Mike Brodersen.