Anyone have a Super 16mm Telecine Alignment / Testcard film?

[Gareth North]

Hi All,

 

I'm trying to find the following test film made for British TV's Channel 4 in the Mid 90s:-

 

https://tech.ebu.ch/docs/techreview/trev_268-hurley.pdf

 

It looks like despite Super 16mm having been well established in the 80s in UK TV productions there was no standard telecine setup film for the format until the one discussed in 1996 so a UK Broadcaster had to create there own.

 

I have emailed BKSTS that are mentioned in the article and also the company who manage Film sales for Channel 4 TV but not turned up anything and I'm unable to trace the guy mentioned in the article.

 

I don't need to find this one specific test film if there are any other Super 16mm test card type films out there people know of I would be interested in owning one. Does anyone out there have one available?

 

 

Best Regards

 

Gareth North

 

Web master of

http://bolexh16user.net/

Edited January 15, 2018 by Gareth North

[John Salim]

Gareth, I know test films are difficult items to find nowadays, but Boston Light & Sound used to sell SMPTE test films.

Probably worth asking ( ....though not for the Channel Four film of course ).

 

Link here..... http://www.blsi.com/about_tech_capabilities.php

 

John S B)

[Mark Dunn]

They're eye-wateringly expensive these days. Hundreds of $. I could only offer SMPTE tails.

"Many years" seems something of an exaggeration- there was fairly little shot in widescreen here even in the mid 90s. Unless my memory's letting me down- we didn't have a widescreen TV until a couple of years ago.

One of the earliest was "Wycliffe" in 1995 but "Morse" was standard ratio until it finished, in 2000. I assume the cameraman would still keep safe action in 4:3.

I had some S16 neg in recently from a 1995 documentary, but it had been transmitted in 4:3.

Edited January 15, 2018 by Mark Dunn

[Gareth North]

Hi Mark,

 

Considering (from a British TV perspective) that Yorkshire TV shot the first UK TV Series using Super 16mm way back back in 1987 with "Darling Buds of May" I think a Super 16mm Test Card film was a "niche" thing even during when they when shooting it constantly considering that a major broadcaster was trying to find a test film nearly a decade later in 1996 when that document was written and because they couldnt find one had to create there own!

 

I could approach the BFI but I need a film copy not some electronic copy of a film they hold I need some film. Yes I've seen SMPTE test film and yes there are super expensive. Maybe there is some way of filming a test card but I want to use a test card to rule some things out with lenses on a Super 16mm projector.

 

Best Regards

 

Gareth North

 

Web master of

http://bolexh16user.net/

[Mark Dunn]

I have a couple of hundred feet of S16 rush prints if that would suit. Not test cards, but well shot stuff. Also any amount of S16 neg. Should suffice for judging sharpness I would have thought. PM me if you wish.

[Dirk DeJonghe]

You can order from CST in Paris: https://www.cst.fr/produits-et-services/mires-film/

[Gareth North]

Thanks Dirk! Should of known you'd have an answer! :)

 

I've sent Valerie Seine an Email! I'm quiet surprised that.there is still a source for Super 16mm test films still out there I'm just hoping that its not hugely expensive like the SMPTE one's I've heard about!

 

I'll have hopefully around 1000ft of film for you to develop and print come October!

 

Thanks again

 

Best Regards

 

Gareth North

 

Web master of

http://bolexh16user.net/