WorkPrinter Kits? WorkPrinter Rentals?

[MovieStuff]

Hi, all!

I have been asked a LOT about WorkPrinter rentals and WorkPrinter do-it-yourself kits. At first I resisted this notion and, frankly, am still undecided about it. So, I wanted to see what the group thought.

I envision that the WP-2 and WP-3 rentals would be by the week at $150 plus shipping. The user would basically put down a deposit equal to the cost of the unit and would then get a refund of the balance once the unit is returned safely.

The WP-2 kit would be $300 plus shipping and would include step by step, photographic instructions on how to modify the projector. The kit would include the special synch mouse, synch cord, timing cam, take up clutch disk, microswitch, first surface mirror and condenser lens (no housing). It would not include the projector as there are a variety of sources to obtain one from.

Anyway, as I said, I'm still undecided about this whole idea. Part of me thinks rental might be good for those on a budget that have only an occasional project but the deposit might prove problematic for some. The kit idea I think might be good for those that have the skills and want to save some money or do a custom installation of some kind.

Are these dumb ideas?

Roger

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Roger Evans
MovieStuff
http://www.afterimagephoto.tv/moviestuff.html

[Brian Maier]

Well at the studio I used to work at when we rented cameras we took a blank imprint of the persons credit card and had them sign it. If there were any problems we would charge it to the blank imprint slip for however much the repair or camera cost. Since you do not have a actual place of business where people could come and pick them up as far as i know this still may not solve your problem. Especially since i suspect that most of your business will probably be online.

just some thoughts

Brian

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Http://www.RedFuisonFilms.com

[MovieStuff]

I think the one thing I would also offer is enlarging the gate for a nominal fee. I can do it in my sleep but it would be a nightmare for a lot of people. The tricky thing is that you only get one shot at it. If you screw up, then you have to buy another projector to get another gate! No parts! I'm thinking a fee of $20 to enlarge the gate would be fair and is the only thing that one really has to be skilled to do.

Of course, for people like Lionel that just HAPPEN to have their own machine shop, this would not be necessary....

Roger

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Roger Evans
MovieStuff
http://www.afterimagephoto.tv/moviestuff.html

[MovieStuff]

Hey! What happened to Lionel's post? Where'd it go?!!!

Roger

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Roger Evans
MovieStuff
http://www.afterimagephoto.tv/moviestuff.html

[StopMoWorks]

Here's my post....I rewrote it.....


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MovieStuff:
The WP-2 kit would be $300 plus shipping and would include step by step, photographic instructions on how to modify the projector. The kit would include the special synch mouse, synch cord, timing cam, take up clutch disk, microswitch, first surface mirror and condenser lens (no housing). It would not include the projector as there are a variety of sources to obtain one from.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Roger!

Great that you're considering options with workprinter and trying to make it available to as many as possible and those with different budget constraints.

You know, the other kind of work i do in stop motion and I am kind of a gadgeteer-type, but no way could I have done the R&D that you put into the workprinter. Your transfer service is absolutely great, possibly more finessed results from it, but i also was thinking of my own transfer setup here, for doing quick tests & stuff. I did come across a GAF projector which is sitting right here. Personally, I would be more interested in the WorkPrinter 3 as a kit form but that might possibly more difficult for the average do-it-yourselfer. I think, I would be up for the challenge and the learning experience. I know basics of electricity, simple switches, general mechanical stuff, making odds & ends, etc.. Looks like, with the WP-3 there are more components and there's the motor replacement, but with your expert guidance, I think, I could do it.
Lionel

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[This message has been edited by StopMoWorks (edited March 09, 2002).]

[mcflytrap]

Hmm....I think I'll just buy yours!

-mcfly-

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[Trent Summers]

Rodger,

For what its worth, I thought about asking you if you offered "kits" before seeing this post. I experimented with an old projector. Took it apart and hooked it up to a variable speed motor from a watchmaker's lathe that I had. I have no firewire video camera but did capture some single frames with a digital still cam. My brother had a lens from an old photo enlarger... Premiere disallows stopmotion capture(from usb), and as you stated the zoom even with a telephoto adapter was inadequate. I guess I'll have to make friends with someone with a 3 ccd video cam. I'm still Interested in a kit or plans. If it would be worth your while to offer them.

Trent

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[gaspode]

I was going to ask about the possability of a kit, or some such, as purchasing one of these for the UK would be rather expensive

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'Cause of death... at this time, unknown...'
'Unknown? What the..? He's had his fuckin' head sliced off!'

[MovieStuff]

Well, at this point, I've got such a backlog of WorkPrinter orders that a kit will bbe sometime down the line. My "invention" mode is on hold until I get caught up on everything. I have got SO many orders to fill, it's not even funny at this point. And the funny thing is that in December I was seriously thinking of taking down the website and blowing it all off! Careful what you wish for, I guess! I just hired some part time help to take some of the load off me.

However, I have received quite a few emails from interested parties about the kits so we'll see. I have to think about some of the technical issues related to making a kit and, right now, my brain is fried from drilling holes, soldering wires and aligning condenser lenses. Man, I'm whipped!

But you know what's kind of cool? We all know that SOME day, Super 8 will be a thing of the past, but perhaps one of my WorkPrinters will end up in some book of old format oddities. I can see one popping up 20 years from now on "Antiques Roadshow" where they ask,"What is this thing?". Or maybe one will end up in a collector's museum or something as an example of one of the last ditch efforts to make super 8 and video live in peace.

Nahhhh...

Roger

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Roger Evans
MovieStuff
http://www.afterimagephoto.tv/moviestuff.html

[chaz]

>>But you know what's kind of cool? We all know that SOME day, Super 8 will be a thing of the past, but perhaps one of my WorkPrinters will end up in some book of old format oddities. I can see one popping up 20 years from now on "Antiques Roadshow" where they ask,"What is this thing?". Or maybe one will end up in a collector's museum or something as an example of one of the last ditch efforts to make super 8 and video live in peace.<<

I agree. Just think, your invention is allowing hundreds, or perhaps thousands of people to view archived footage in a more modern format, with the quality that it deserves. It will allow for more people to pass more footage down to their heirs.

Not to mention opening the door to more 8mm projects being produced, as their cost of production is lessened.

Keep up the good work.

chaz

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