super 8 -> 16mm (again)

[mattias]

i'm about to blow up my latest super 8 short to 16 mm for submitting to festivals. anybody knows who does this the best and the cheapest? i don't need anything fancy, just a regular frame by frame optical print. i've checked with many places, and it seems like i'll have to pay around $100 per minute, which is a little over my budget. especially since that doesn't include a composite print. if i could just get it down to $60 or so i'd be fine. anybody? roger?

i was also thinking of doing it myself, but i have no idea what film stock and such to use, and i'm worried that the method i have at my disposal isn't good enough sharpness and contrast-wise. i'm planning on shooting the projection screen (smooth sheet of paper) frame by frame using a projector with single frame capability. what do you think? should i go with a high or low con stock? i was thinking 7274 (vision 200t), but maybe i need 7279 to get an exposure, due to the weak light in single frame mode? or maybe the the new fuji 400t, which is fast and is supposed to have 15 stops of latitude or something?

thanks,
matt

[mattias]

actually, that's not my experience. at least it's not possible to send video to gothenburg, copenhagen, uppsala, stockholm, berlin, helsinki and most other major ones in northern europe. sometimes they do accept video, but then you'll get shown in a night club at the opening party or something. doesn't work if you want to be screened in the main section, and/or as an opening film before a feature.

but thanks anyway... ;-)

/matt

[MovieStuff]

Hi, Mattias!

I already emailed you this information but thought I would go ahead and mention it for those that weren't aware. The version of the WorkPrinter I've built for Matt Pacini runs at about 1 frame per second and can stop on any frame indefinately without heat build up, warpage, focus shift or damage to the film. Also, there is a remote control and a remote advance trigger, making it ideal to use as a poor man's optical printer. The condenser lens that lets video cameras shoot right off the film will work with 16mm cameras, as well. Hook up a solenoid release to the 16mm camera and you're set!


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

[yak]

hi, hope im not to vague this time.
in europe it is possible to contribute films to festivals in different formats than only 16mm.
i think it might be a lot cheaper to dub it on digi-cam or beta sp.


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'be the one who is it'

[dogstarman]

So Roger,

Are you saying that you've basically built Matt an honest-to-god you-can-make-16mm-blow-ups functioning optical printer, no matter how "poor-man's" you want to describe it as?
If so, I think you make have finally sold me on one... this is what we've been looking for for a loooong time.

Please elaborate on the functionality of this improved unit in this capacity, if you could.
Did I miss a post somewhere?

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[Matt Pacini]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dogstarman:
[B]So Roger, Are you saying that you've basically built Matt an honest-to-god you-can-make-16mm-blow-ups functioning optical printer, no matter how "poor-man's" you want to describe it as?

(Matt Pacini responds): Yep, why do you think I've been raving on this board for everyone to get one of these?
I just cannot believe that you guys aren't all getting one, because it is unreal how cool this is.

dogstarman: "Please elaborate on the functionality of this improved unit in this capacity, if you could. Did I miss a post somewhere?"

(Matt Pacini responds):
You didn't miss a post.
I bludgeoned Roger with questions, and this hairbrain idea I've had for a long time, to be able to digitize Super 8 footage with a digital still camera.
So the unit I'm getting is not the standard Workprinter, it's a hotrodded super-modified system.
I'm sure Roger will elaborate, but needless to say, I'm very excited, and also thinking about doing 16mm blowups also!
Best of all, I'm getting it next week! I can't wait!!!!!!!

Speaking of that....
ROGER - What do I need to do (i.e. have you build) to be able to do this with my Scoopic?
The solenoid release switch you're referring to...

Matt Pacini

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[Nigel]

Matt--

Are there any film Co-Ops that have a printer??? I know there is one in San Fran that I have used before. They charge me $7 an hour as a member--I don't even live there I joined just to use the printer over a weekend. Good Luck

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[MovieStuff]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Matt Pacini:

ROGER - What do I need to do (i.e. have you build) to be able to do this with my Scoopic?
The solenoid release switch you're referring to...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nothing but send me money.

No seriously, I can build you a simple solenoid activator that will work with a standard cable release, although I prefer to use a solid plunger mounted on a base that the camera mounts on. Cable releases, as a rule, wear out pretty fast and aren't meant for the repetitive actions called for doing this kind of work. A solid metal plunger won't wear out and can operate faster. You would need to send me your camera so that I can custom fit the actuator. Then all you'd have to do is load the camera and projector, set your exposure and press the button. The WorkPrinter will do the rest! You'll be copying right off the film and the color negative will have enough latitude that you won't have to monitor exposures. One medium exposure should do the trick. Just set it and go get a sandwich!



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

[MovieStuff]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dogstarman:

Are you saying that you've basically built Matt an honest-to-god you-can-make-16mm-blow-ups functioning optical printer, no matter how "poor-man's" you want to describe it as?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, the new WorkPrinter now uses a cool 40 watt bulb and enlarged gate and is packaged with a condenser lens that will let you shoot right off the film. Now, the regular WorkPrinter transfers at 4-6fps, which is too fast for optical printing. However, the delux model that I've built for Matt travels at 1 frame per second and can sit on a single frame indefinately with ZERO damage to the film. No burning, no warping, no loss of focus. In fact the bulb is so low wattage, you can turn it off and unscrew it without even burning your fingers! The film NEVER gets hot and the built in reflective diffuser means perfectly even illumination from corner to corner.

The remote control for Matt's WorkPrinter has a remote socket for being activated by an intervelometer and the WorkPrinter can use its own synch switch to trigger the camera. So, in essense, you use an intervelometer to trigger the WorkPrinter to advance. When it does, it triggers the camera to shoot a frame. Then the WorkPrinter sits there waiting for the intervelometer to trigger it again and the cycle repeats itself over and over. The same synch in the WorkPrinter is also used to trip the capture mouse with a computer for video transfers.

In all, the delux model is a pretty complete system that lets you transfer to either film or video with equal ease.


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

[dogstarman]

Cool beans...

No, Matt, trust me. I was one of the first people to tell Roger I thought his products were outa' sight, and that was way back when...
I just don't have the cash to buy one right at the moment. To be honest, I was always more interested in the CineMate projector, but that was before he made the WorkPrinter DV compatible. Now that he has designed it to double as a optical printer, I'm with you in thinking that it's probably the single most usefull thing anybody who wants to seriously work at making films with S8 could own at this point, besides a good camera and a computer. I just shelled out some of my savings for a new camera (which I ordered from Wittner-Kinotechnik, BTW. I'll have reports for anybody thinking of ordering from them just as soon as I get the camera), and then I need to start stocking up on film, but a WorkPrinter will probably be my next major purchase, as soon as you post some of your footage that you transfer using it!

Sam



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