Each roll varies in sized depending on the film gauge, the roll and other factors. When using 16 mm, 400 foot rolls are the most common. Meanwhile, 1,000 foot rolls are the norm for 35 mm film. Depending …show more content…
on the commercial availability, the roll length could be 200, 1,200 or 800 feet. Smaller rolls or typically used for daylight-loading and are placed on a spool. Longer rolls are generally wound using a plastic core. Other than the packaging, these plastic core films do not have any other protection. Due to this, they must be changed or loaded in a darkroom.
How It Works
Most film will be processed in a professional film lab and assembled in 1,200 to 1,500 foot batches. As the filming process is carried out, workprints may be used to have a daily update on the progress of the film. After the picture has been selected during the negative, a negative cutter is used to to cut the original camera negative OCN and opticals before they are cemented onto various rolls.
Once this process is complete, the edited OCN is copied onto a safety positive.
This allows the safety positive to be used as a backup rather than risking the safety of the negative. Answer prints are made, which allow release prints to be created. Since the original camera negative is vital for storing the film, it is used for the least number of activities possible. Each time it goes through a laboratory, there is a risk that it will be degraded, scratched or damaged. Due to this, the original camera negative is generally the last resort and is only used when the other copies have been lost, damaged or compromised. Prior to 1969, 35 mm prints were made from the OCN. This means that older films often have more damage and need professional …show more content…
handling.
Ensuring Film Preservation
To make sure that film is preserved, the first step is to ensure that it is being stored safely.
A climate-controlled room or vault is generally the first step toward preserving the film. In addition, the film needs to be repaired and copied by a company like Rising Fall. Color correction and other techniques can be used to restore the film to its original quality. With the original film stored safely away, the new copy can be watching without worrying about potentially damaging it.
During this process, there are a few things that can make restoration more difficult. Often, curling occurs because of humidity or light exposure. There may be tears on the print, damaged perforations or missing frames. For older movies, these problems are especially common. Digitally, damaged frames can be recreated based on the frames that they are next to. This technique is extremely effective as long as there are enough frames available to predict the image that would have existed in the damaged frame.
Digitally Restoring the Film
The first step is to inspect the film for any signs of wear and tear. Before it can be transferred to a telecine any dust, dirt or scratches must be repaired. If the color has changed or faded, color correction may be needed. Shrinkage, missing scenes or sound problems must be edited before it can be
re-released.
Once the cleaning process is complete, the film is repaired using splicing cement or polyester tape. Each frame is then scanned into a digital format. Frames are repaired one-by-one as they are scanned. Lighting changes, frame alignment and color correction are adjusted for during the process. Over the course of the restoration, film grain noise is reduced by enhancing frames and removing scratches. With patience and expert skill, the original camera negative can be repaired and copied onto a new medium.
For all of your film copy and repair needs, Rising Fall is the place to go. We have 35 years of experience in the industry, so we are able to handle any size of film transfer projects. Our full-service film transfer options include color correction, video production and repairs. Throughout our history, we have literally transferred millions of feet of film onto digital mediums. To find out how we can help, contact us today.