Cutting ties with Pro 8mm

Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:53 pm

I'm no longer going to be using Pro 8mm film for testing of the Supermag 400. It is in the best interest of my own reputation and the products I make, to cut all ties with Pro 8.

I do not harbor any ill will towards Phil Vigeant or his company. They have been great in providing me free film. However, in light of recent developments, I can not, in good conscience, continue to be associated with this firm.

Film for the Supermag 400 will still be available through Andec film and Wittner Kinotechnic in Germany. Also, I am in communication with Kodak's World Wide Marketing Director. She has expressed an interest in the Supermag 400 and helping me obtain Kodak films directly from them.

Santo · Post by **Santo** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:19 pm

What do you mean recent developments? I've got a budget with their "short film package" all drawn up. What do you mean? Are you talking about short ends?

Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:35 pm

It may be what they do, but I can not say for certain. All I know is that most of my test films have been damaged one way or the other. I can only suspect from what I've seen, their films may not be the best to use.

I still have more tests to run with the Supermag. But those tests will not be shot using Pro 8mm film stocks. I will be using only quaranteed fresh Kodak film provided other suppliers.

Post by **Yemi** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:19 am

I recently shot some rolls of pro8mm 50D negative and had them processed at pro8mm but sent them to another lab (Spectra) to get them prepped and transferred. The word from Spectra is that the film is FILTHY. They say that inspection revealed blobs of rem-jet still remaining on the film and that a white powder residue had to be cleaned off.

I'm furious. I don't even want to complain to pro8mm because their arrogance will only infuriate me further. What I really want is Kodak to release either EXR 50D or Vision 2 100T for super 8. Once that happens, pro8mm will be forgetten.

Santo, beware.

------
Yemi

Post by **FILM-THURSO** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:30 am

Hey, hows about a link to get onto Witner's website in English.
I can't find a link on it to give me everything in English, just a bit. 8O

Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:36 am

You need to use bablefish or go to yahoo and click on the translate link.

Post by **FilmIs4Ever** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 5:10 am

Sorry if you've already tried these avenues, but have you talked to Kodak about them making you a special batch of EXR-50D? If you're using the amount of film I think you are (and 50D is great for tests since the grain is so fine), Kodak usually will perforate special orders of film given a minimum order of 10,000 feet, be it in DS8, DR8, or what have you. It would then be a simple matter of slitting the film and loading it yourself. I'm sure there are others here who'd be happy to go in with you on an order such as this since EXR-50 is such a great stock. Talk to Kodak. They'll listen if you're coherent and straightforward.

~Karl

Post by **reflex** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:14 am

Yemi wrote:I recently shot some rolls of pro8mm 50D negative and had them processed at pro8mm but sent them to another lab (Spectra) to get them prepped and transferred. The word from Spectra is that the film is FILTHY. They say that inspection revealed blobs of rem-jet still remaining on the film and that a white powder residue had to be cleaned off.

I'm furious. I don't even want to complain to pro8mm because their arrogance will only infuriate me further. What I really want is Kodak to release either EXR 50D or Vision 2 100T for super 8. Once that happens, pro8mm will be forgetten.

You should politely email Rhonda at Pro8mm to let her know what Spectra said, and that you won't be buying from them again. Nice, literate, polite feedback is the best way to make people pay attention.

If they choose not to listen, that's their business. Thanks for the warning!

Post by **vapparn** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:31 am

"...have you talked to Kodak about them making you a special batch of EXR-50D? If you're using the amount of film I think you are (and 50D is great for tests since the grain is so fine), Kodak usually will perforate special orders of film given a minimum order of 10,000 feet, be it in DS8, DR8..."

What about S8 cartridges? How many "special cartridges" one should order that Kodak would give it a thought?

Wed Apr 06, 2005 6:50 am

I'm hoping to convince Kodak to work with me to develop the film stocks for the Supermag 400. The ideal situation would be for them to load the disks themselves with the various stocks. However, I don't think they will go that route. If I have any success, I suspect that it will be with them allowing me to purchase 1200 foot spools of K-40 and negative film stocks. This would be great, and it would allow me to provide a variety of stocks to Supermag customers. Actually, I would be satisfied with them just providing any film, just to get good quality fresh film from the source, than from a dealer.

Post by **FilmIs4Ever** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 2:34 pm

Maybe you should talk to John Schwind about his dealings with Kodak. He sells DR8 film. It took a while, but he was able to get them to make K40A in DR8. If you want more infor on who you should contact, PM me. I played a small role in that whole thing and I still have the contact information for one of Kodak's marketing people.

Regards.
~Karl Borowski

Post by **Mr. Apathy** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:50 pm

i think that this is very good news, i don't think that pro8mm is too on the ball. the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing.
i hope you can get something set up with kodak, as i am anxious to see anykind of new developments in super8mm.

Post by **Mitch Perkins** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:14 am

Mr. Apathy wrote: i am anxious to see anykind of new developments in super8mm.

That doesn't sound very apathetic.

Mitch

Post by **Juno** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:16 am

Santo wrote:What do you mean recent developments? I've got a budget with their "short film package" all drawn up. What do you mean? Are you talking about short ends?

Wake up dumb ass! ANYTHING BUT Pro 8mm sucks! The most professional 8mm film is available from Kodak. Of course with that short film that you are doing the jittery images that you will surely get from Pro 8mm ( due to poorly perfed stock) might lend well with psychotic break you or your character or YOU are supposed to have. The higher grain films are what you need to depend on Pro( anything but) 8mm for. If they are jittery, and they are sure to be, that should ad to your's or your characters or YOUR feeling of psychosis.

Post by **Mr. Apathy** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:21 am

Juno wrote:
Santo wrote:What do you mean recent developments? I've got a budget with their "short film package" all drawn up. What do you mean? Are you talking about short ends?
Wake up dumb ass! ANYTHING BUT Pro 8mm sucks! The most professional 8mm film is available from Kodak. Of course with that short film that you are doing the jittery images that you will surely get from Pro 8mm ( due to poorly perfed stock) might lend well with psychotic break you or your character or YOU are supposed to have. The higher grain films are what you need to depend on Pro( anything but) 8mm for. If they are jittery, and they are sure to be, that should ad to your's or your characters or YOUR feeling of psychosis.

don't hold back tell us how you really feel