Step 1: Double Check Your Film

The requirements for dropping off a film for digitization are:

Film is on a core
- Preferably a 3" core, but 2" is okay
Leader is on both the head and tail of the film
- About 5-6 feet of leader on both ends for ELMO transfer
- At least 10 feet of leader on both ends for Cintel scans
Film is wound correctly
- Emulsion (matte) side is up
- The head (beginning) of the film is out
- When sprocket holes are facing you, film falls to the right / looks like a "9"
On the outside of the film leader, write:
- Your full name
- Your email address
- Your professor's name
If hand processed, film must be cleaned!
- We have liquid cleaner (to be used with gloves on) and dust cloths available in the DFL

Step 2: Drop Off Film at DFL

Bring your film to the DFL in Ansin 606 and let a lab assistant know you would like a digitized version
Information to share with lab assistant:
- If your film has any direct animation
- If your film has been edited on the Steenbecks
- If your film is positive / negative
- Rough estimate of how many feet your roll is
- If your film is 16mm or Super 16
- If there is any mature or graphic content
  - This is a yes or no question, no need to detail content
Films that have direct animation / analog edits are transferred on our ELMO station.
- A roll with multiple films spliced together is okay for the Cintel, but the machine cannot process the heavy splice count and debris of analog edits
The Cintel and ELMO are both HD transfers
- The Cintel has more precise color technology and a frame by frame scan. It is reserved for more advanced projects

When your film digitization is finished, you will receive two emails:
- A link to your file shared over Emerson's Google Drive
- An email with information about picking up the physical film during our lab hours
Time frame:
- ELMO transfers will take roughly one business day
- Cintel scans will take roughly three business days
If you do not receive your file shared, let a lab assistant know and we will get the file to you
If you would like to receive the file on a hard drive, bring one (with ample storage space) to the DFL and a lab assistant can copy the file for you

Resolution
- ELMO files are 1920x1080 with black bars on the frames of the gate
- Cintel files are the standard 4:3 aspect ratio of 1440x1080 for 16mm and 1798x1080 for Super 16
  - You can request an uncrossed version of the file if you would like. We will leave the sprocket holes and frame lines in the image and the file will be 2304x1712
    - Note that this will greatly increase the file size
We apply noise reduction to Cintel scans. If you would like the original version of the file, let a lab assistant know
Please email the DFL manager (stephen_jackson@emerson.edu) if you have 35mm or 8mm (Super 8 or Regular 8) that needs scanning
Let us know if there are any issues with your file!