Proposed Transfer Service

[Alex]

Ah, our first exhibitor for the Super-8 Convention.

-Alex

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[MovieStuff]

Hi, all!

Well, I am getting nearer to mounting my proposed transfer service. I was delayed by the Great Flood of Houston back in June, but things are looking pretty good. It looks like I'll be able to transfer to miniDV as well as BetacamSP. I am doing some tests for negative transfer, but so far reversal is going to be the extent of what I offer until I can work out some color gamma issues on the negative.

The system will copy right off the super 8 or Regular 8mm film with a 3:2 pulldown as part of the original transfer process, unless requested to leave it turned off (which would result in a one to one transfer with no frame doubling). This service will be for image only and no sound, as I assume most of you can synch your own sound after the fact.

I am struggling with the pricing for this service. My initial goal was to do it at a flat rate of $10.00 per 50 feet. However, density and color correction takes longer than I would like. To make this workable, I would have to charge $15.00 per 50 feet. This would still be a flat rate and I would be willing to do a "one light" transfer at the $10.00 per 50 foot rate. This would actually work pretty good for those with film that is evenly and consistently exposed. My Ikegami camera has a pretty good latitude. The tests on the WorkPrinter were done with that same camera and, except for the black and white shots (which were underexposed slightly on the film original) I was able to pretty much use just one exposure setting!

Ultimately, I would have a $50 minimum plus tape stock (you can provide your own but it must be new). The two flat rates come out to roughly $240 per hour of screen time for a one light and $360 per hour of screen time for scene to scene color and density correction. The customer would be responsible for sending the film precleaned and on separate 400 foot reels with two feet of leader at the front and back end. Individual 50 foot reels would add $1.00 per reel change.

So, I need some feed back. Is this worth it? I understand the Transfer station will do Rank transfers for $150 per hour (or so it's rumored). I don't know if that's a flat rate or if it follows the usual "x3" formula used by so many transfer houses.

Let me hear what you think before I commit some final plans to my machinist! If it looks like a bust, I'll just blow it off!

Thanks!

Roger Evans

[chas_ucla]

Ok...stupid question time...

Supposing I use your transfer service, Roger...and I'm not doing the whole firewire/capture card/computer editing thing but just making VHS copies...what equipment would I need to get to add sound to my films?

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[Matt Pacini]

I'm just guessing, but I think he means after he gets a tape of his footage, then what does he do?
Well, he has to have a capture/video card with at least composite outs (if you're just trying to make a video that looks OK) & software to digitize the video, and digitize the audio, and sync them up in software.
I use Adobe Premier. (I also use Cakewalk & Soundforge for audio/MIDI, but you don't need it for a basic setup).
Then you edit your stuff, and play it back through your video card to a VCR and there ya go!

Matt Pacini


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[MovieStuff]

Er, I'm not sure I understand your question. The service I'm referring to doesn't have anything to do with the WorkPrinter. The service I'm referring to is just a film to video transfer service for people that don't want to do it themselves. Once it's on video, then you work with it like you always would.

Does that help? Or are you asking what to do if you have sound film you need transferred? Maybe I'm missing something in the translation!

Roger Evans