Making Film From Scratch

[Mark-Osterman]

Hello All,

My name is Mark Osterman. I am the process historian at George Eastman Museum. Generally this means I research and teach historic still photographic processes. We currently offer esoteric techniques as early as Niepc's asphalt heliograph process to making gelatin dry plates and photographic papers.

In conjunction with the Museums recent event ... The Nitrate Picture Show ... this week we initiated our first public workshop in making black and white motion picture film from scratch. We make the gelatin emulsion, coat on 5" wide polyester support, slit and perforate with an ex Kodak Bell and Howell perforator ... then students shoot and process their film.

I know your forum is specific for small format, however right now we are only making 35 mm film stock. (Did I say only?) We do have a slitter for 16mm amd I think we may be able to have one made for 8mm. We only have the perforator for 35 mm.

I came on this forum because we will actively pursue acquiring the necessary equipment to do smaller format film if there is any interest from your community. We are committed to do our best to teach the technical and aesthetic evolution of chemical photography at Eastman Museum here in Rochester, NY.

My personal email at the Museum is Mosterman@eastman.org and am anxious to hear from those interested in our work.

Regards,

Mark

[Andreas Wideroe]

Hi Mark and welcome to the forum!

What you are offering and doing here is simply great. I believe there is great interest and potential in making film from scratch. I bet there are many people here who would love to get into this. I have forwarded this forum post to a couple of friends who are not members here, but whom I know will be very interested. Let's see who else joins us.

Btw, a perforator would be quite possible to make with todays electronics etc. There was a forum member here who made - or atleast tried to make his own some years ago.(Paul Cotto).

Best,
Andreas

[Mark-Osterman]

We are excited about our new interface with the film making culture. I would like to post some pictures here to illustrate what we're up to. Is that possible?

[slashmaster]

We are excited about our new interface with the film making culture. I would like to post some pictures here to illustrate what we're up to. Is that possible?

I might like to attend this. When is it? What ASA and what kind of resolution did you guys get with the film you made? Is it reversable?