From: john porter (email suppressed)
Date: Sat Oct 29 2005 - 11:20:03 PDT
So I'm correct.
Video sales are not paying for film distribution
prints.
Preserved films are released on video only, not on
film.
When Michelle asked "Has this happened with any other
films recently?",
I said "MOST films, old & new".
John Porter, Toronto
--- Adam Hyman <email suppressed> wrote:
> The problem is that you need to pay for that initial
> film print BEFORE they
> make it. I don't think (and I could be wrong) that
> there are many places
> making prints for filmmakers (experimental or not)
> based on potential future
> revenue from the video release.
>
> What will happen more and more is what has happened
> with recent Warner's
> restorations like SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. All the
> restoration is done
> digitally. When it gets projected, they use digital
> video projection. That
> master is used for the DVD. THE DVD sells lots, and
> maybe they get around
> to striking a 35mm or 16mm print for venues without
> video projection.
> Maybe.
>
> If they do strike a preservation print, then it
> SHOULDN'T be distributed,
> IMHO. A preservation print is just that, to be
> preserved, clean. As soon
> as it gets shipped, it starts getting damaged.
> (Projectionists always have
> final cut!). The issue is getting people to strike
> distribution prints as
> well. And that involves $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. And
> sometimes (according to
> rumor), the institutions that have the restored
> negative won't make
> additional prints.
>
> Basically (and whether we like it or not), it is
> becoming less commercially
> viable for prints to be struck when companies see
> satisfactory distribution
> through DVD. This will only increase as more
> theatres across the country
> add higher quality digital video projection.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Adam
>
>
> On 10/27/05 3:39 PM, "john porter"
> <email suppressed> wrote:
>
> > So, a film print is made for public screenings,
> which
> > advertise the video release, which in turn pays
> for
> > the restoration AND film print.
> >
> > But Michelle said
> > "Scandalous that a film print is not available!
> > To undertake a restoration and strike a
> preservation
> > print for DVD release, and then not make release
> > prints available for screening/rental on film, is
> an
> > enormous frustration.
> > Not available in their original format.
> > Out of curiosity, has this happened with any other
> > films recently?"
> >
> > And I ask again, doesn't it happen nowadays w/
> MOST
> > films, old & new?
> > John Porter, Toronto, Canada
> >
> > --- Sam Wells <email suppressed> wrote:
> >
> >>> Doesn't it happen nowadays w/ MOST films, old &
> >> new?
> >>> It's a business, and video copies are cheaper
> than
> >> film copies.
> >>
> >> Well the best strategy to pursue is to try and
> use
> >> the video (TV,
> >> cable, DVD) release to pay for preserving the
> film
> >> elements, where you
> >> would naturally want to make IP's/IN's etc.
> Since
> >> you can transfer
> >> from an IP then film printing costs need not be
> >> exorbitant.
> >>
> >> I think most of the theatrical print revivals we
> are
> >> seeing now are in
> >> a sense advertisements for the DVD release, but
> also
> >> the dividend.
> >>
> >> Also someone needs to get that 3/4" stuff to
> >> Digi-beta at least, ASAP.
> >>
> >> -Sam
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
>
__________________________________________________________________
> >> For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at
> >> <email suppressed>.
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
__________________________________________________________
> > Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca
> >
> >
> >
>
__________________________________________________________________
> > For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at
> <email suppressed>.
>
>
>
__________________________________________________________________
> For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at
> <email suppressed>.
>
__________________________________________________________
Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca
__________________________________________________________________
For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.