enhancing super 8 . . . ?

[newsuper8er]

I had a thought today . If you have seen both the original star wars and the newer special edtions you should understand what im talking about. To create the special editions they took the original prints and enhanced them (i dont know how) from quite poor quality, slightly grainy prints to what looks like something that could have been shot yesterday! I just wondered if this would be possible with super 8? To maybe enhance it and make it sharper and cleaner? I always hear alot about people trying to make video look better so its as good as film . . . but could you not enhance film to look like . . well even better film if you get my point. (eg. make super 8 look more like 16mm).

If im being stupid and this technology is only available to ILM . . well i guess theres no need to reply to this post .

Steven.

[Uppsala BildTeknik]

I think it would be easier and cheaper to just shoot 16mm.

[downix]

You seem to fail to grasp what Lucas actually did here. He did not "enhance" the movie, he just went back to the original negative to create a fresher print using more modern techniques. The information seen in the enhanced versions was always there, it just did not transfer well with the technology of the time. In Lucas' case, it was through a DI, so he could get crisp transfers, scanned in the original at 2k and printed the final from the digital, so as to not have 3-4 generations of loss.

[Lunar07]

You seem to fail to grasp what Lucas actually did here. He did not "enhance" the movie, he just went back to the original negative to create a fresher print using more modern techniques. The information seen in the enhanced versions was always there, it just did not transfer well with the technology of the time. In Lucas' case, it was through a DI, so he could get crisp transfers, scanned in the original at 2k and printed the final from the digital, so as to not have 3-4 generations of loss.

Talk of Lucas - the little schmuck even added and deleted couple of things that actually changed important narrative elements. Call it "Plot on Demand." Years from now, we may even have a new DVD release with Darth as a leading role of the new generation :-D

[sunrise]

Did you see the new version of THX-1138?

It's a supposedly "director's cut", even though Lucas is credited as editor in the original version. A was amazed at how much a few changes and digital effects made to the overall impression of a film.

The original version is a masterpiece from a talented and visionary young director using few cinematic means, but turning it into his visual style. The directors cut is a mediocre sci-fi wanabe film, that uses the same digital effects as every other sci-fi b-movie and fails to tell a compelling story.

I wish the original version was available on DVD, since my VHS copy has seen better days...

michael

[newsuper8er]

downix wrote

You seem to fail to grasp what Lucas actually did here. He did not "enhance" the movie, he just went back to the original negative to create a fresher print using more modern techniques.

Sorry i did not realize this . . . when i found out that the special editions had been digitaly enhanced/remastered i did not realize this was all they did. Hmmm they do look good though dont they.


Lunar07 wrote

Talk of Lucas - the little schmuck even added and deleted couple of things that actually changed important narrative elements.

Yes, i think alot of people would agree with you on that . . although this isnt the place for this kind of talk. Theres probaly a whole forum somewhere else dedicated to how Lucas "tampered" with the original 8) .

Thanks guys!

[timdrage]

I wish the original version was available on DVD, since my VHS copy has seen better days...

Indeed, don't get me started on THX! I really want the new DVD for the extras, but really DON'T want to ever have to watch the new version...

I'll have to track down the laserdisc at some point... (or get a DVD rip of it :twisted: ) My friend has the laserdiscs of the star wars trilogy, the remastered but not 'special' versions... basically the optimum copy you can get I suppose. High quality too, each film's on 3 discs! 8O

But alas, he has no LD player yet!

Come to think of it, I believe you can get full super-8 prints of pre-special edition star wars films!?

Expensive tho!!!

[Cranium]

Sunrise-
I'm with you 100% on the THX thing. I was so frigging excited to get that DVD.
I can't even watch it. It's too distracting to me. I'm too familiar with the film, so it throws off the whole thing with all these new things jumping out at me. Alien lizards?! WTF?! I'll burn you a copy of the Laserdisc as soon as I find one.

Can't wait for Lucas to come out with the special edition of American Graffitti where he replaces all the hot rods with Japanese imports, and replaces Wolfman Jack with Howard Stern.
Oh, and a new soundtrack. None of that old, outdated music. Just the freshest hits from today's young stars.
And alien lizards.

[downix]

Here's one for you Cranium:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 70720&rd=1

I'm getting all nostalgic for the original THX myself now, so I did a buy-it-now on a VCD.

[pelluet]

Just as a quirky matter of interest, did you guys know that the original Star Wars Feature was available from Derann; http://www.derann.com/ on super 8? I've got a copy on 4 x 600ft reels in stereo and Scope and its a great print to have on 8. Sadly it doesn't appear on their list of current releases any more but I just checked and 'The Return of the Jedi' full feature does as does the Pod Race sequence from [was it] 'The Fantom Menace [?]

Just thought I'd mention it...

Mike

[MovieMaker]

I have both the full features of "Star Wars" and "Return of the Jedi" in Scope from Derann. I´ll take them to my grave...

Now I´m hunting "The Empire strikes back" in Scope from Classic Home Cinema. Need to complete the original trilogy... :twisted:

MovieMaker

[pelluet]

It would be great to have the whole trilogy on 8. I think 'The Empire Strikes Back' was released on 8 by one of the German companies [?] and does show up from time to time on the lists but very rarely.

The real holy grail I understand was the super 8 full feature of 'Close Encounters of The Third Kind', Derann released this in about 1980 and the prints were fantastic. A couple of years ago they showed a reel from it on the 24 ft screen at the BFCC http://www.bfcc.biz/ and it was staggering. However, the negative had to be returned very early in the run so only a very limited number were printed, certainly one to have in the collection :!:

Mike

[DzFX]

I think it would be easier and cheaper to just shoot 16mm.

I have to disagree with that. If that were the case why even shoot on super 8mm?

If you have a copy of Adobe After Effects you should be able to really clean up your film project. Or even develop a unique look.

Now unless your shooting a full length feature then I would recommend super 8mm first. Once you get it transfered the possibilities are endless.


8)

-uhm.. arent they?

[mattias]

I have to disagree with that. If that were the case why even shoot on super 8mm?

the question defines your level of understanding of the issue quite well, which means nobody's likely to care whether you agree or not. sorry.

/matt

[Uppsala BildTeknik]

If you have a copy of Adobe After Effects you should be able to really clean up your film project.......Once you get it transfered the possibilities are endless.

No, not really endless....

If you however discover a magic filter in Adobe After Effects that makes 8mm film look like 16mm I guarantee you will be the hero of 8mm filmmakers!