The International Film Cooperative

Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:27 pm

Here is an idea I propose to all of you film makers out there. In order to get the kinds of film stocks we all want at reduced prices we should combine our efforts. If we create the International Small Film Format Cooperative (ISFFC) we could raise the funds to build a movie film Perforating/Slitting machine to make both super 8 and 16mm film stocks from 35mm films. Then with the help of Spectra Film and Video, they would build the machine, operate it and sell films to members of the cooperative at near cost. They benifit from getting a machine for nothing and we get inexpensive quality made film stocks for decades to come.

If you think this is something you would put effort into doing, let me know through this forum or by e-mail. We can all pull together to keep film alive and thriving. We owe it to ourselves to save Super 8 as well as 16mm from the evils of the digital video monster.

I have proposed this concept to Doug at Spectra Video and I'm awaiting their reply. I'm sure it won't be rejected.

Post by **chachi** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:30 pm

That works for me. If they're interested that is..

Post by **Nigel** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:50 pm

Why slit 35 down to 16 when I can just order every stock I could want on 16 directly from Kodak or Fuji now???

Good Luck

Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:00 pm

If you could buy 16mm film at half the price...you wouldn't do it?

Post by **timdrage** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:05 pm

Nice idea...

It seems to me that R8 and/or DS8 would make most sense,, followed by S8 for the supermag... (I guess if you can make DS8 you can make S8 too almost by default anyway)

I agree with Nigel that 16mm doesn't seem to make as much sense... (plus I'm not so interested in that anyway at the moment!

...just doesn't sound as feasible since so many stocks are already there for 16mm.

Anyway, good idea, hope you can get it off the ground!

Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:13 pm

This is targeted towards 8mm films not 16, but I included it as a courtesy to those who use both.

16mm doesn't need to be helped along with getting film stocks. But super 8 does. There just isn't anyone other than Pro 8 going to make films for us unless we do something to make our own.

Spectra will no doubt want to do it. They already said as much to me prior to this. They just don't have the money to build it. But together we can do it. We all will benifit from this.

Post by **mathis** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:23 pm

DoesnÃ‚Â´t sound too bad...

Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:37 pm

Just to start out with. If membership to the ISFFC was to cost $50 per membership, then the 100 members would have already raised $5,000 towards the construction of the machine. That will start the ball rolling right away. Plans could be drawn up for it and deposits made to get the dies cut. Once the funds start coming in to the project, it wouldn't take much time at all to build it. Perhaps a couple of months.

Festivals sponsored by the ISFFC member would help to generate more funds to complete the project. This is logical and can work!

Each member would be given a membership number and ID card. It would entitle the member discounts at Spectra along with FREE access to ISFFC sponsored events, like festivals and such.

Membership would also allow you the right to vote on films presented at the fesitivals and on the ISFFC Web Festival which would be held Twice a year. These festivals could generate funds to purchase film stocks for members only. Also, for sponsoring other events like conventions.

Post by **chachi** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 2:20 am

any idea as to who would build it?

Mon Jul 04, 2005 2:48 am

Spectra knows the guys that built the one for Pro 8.

There are others who can do it, if they can't.

Post by **steve hyde** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 2:56 am

Do you really think you can package film and sell it for less than $11.00 per cart? (color neg) or 8.50 per cart (b&w reversal) Kodak is already losing money on Super 8. Why would you want to join them? I think your international collaboration idea is cool, but maybe the focus should be on film content.

Steve

Post by **chachi** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:03 am

I don't even want them to package it! Give it to me on a 400ft reel. Thats exactly how I want it. I'm happy cutting and loading it myself.

Hell, I'd cut and load it for you guys at no charge!

:evil: btw: I didn't just say that :evil:

Post by **steve hyde** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:10 am

chachi wrote:I don't even want them to package it! Give it to me on a 400ft reel. Thats exactly how I want it. I'm happy cutting and loading it myself.

Hell, I'd cut and load it for you guys at no charge!

:evil: btw: I didn't just say that :evil:

Sounds like loading pasta. Chachi, you must like playing with your food.

Steve

Post by **chachi** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:28 am

Atually yes! Infact its strawberries and whipped cream right now.

My girlfriend just whipped it for our friends "post barbaque", I didn't actually realize how many people played with food till just now.

anyhoo, I bet everyone here who bought a Kaccema cart and is familiar loading mags probably plays with there food to..

Post by **companyofquail** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:18 am

i am totally into this idea, and the 50 bucks sounds more than reasonable, although i feel as if you would have better luck getting 50 people at $100 bucks a head but thats jsut my opion...anyone else want to chime in, and dont just say fifty to save yourself a little money, actually think about the concept of over 100 people paying 50 dollars to join this, hell maybe im way off but i ther are more middle class people willing to pinch pennies than there are uppermiddle/upperclass people willing to shell out 100 bucks or more. or maybe there could even be tiers, like if you donate 50 bucks you are a normal member, 100 bucks is a silver member, and 200 bucks is a gold member and the gold member gets to the opportunity to speak at the festivals and maybe some kind of other incentives to get more gold members. jsut some ideas.... and i am sut talking out loud, so feel free to speak your mind back at me, just realize this isnt a demand, nearly throwing stuff out there for people to lok over and see what they think.