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
Video guide on how to prepare film
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.
- The RetroScan is a 2K transfer, but does not have as much color information as the Cintel.
- The Cintel is still recommended for digital workflows
Step 3: Wait for File
- When your film digitization is finished:
- Your file will be uploaded to the server
- 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
Other Information
- Resolution
- ELMO files are 1920x1080 with black bars on the frames of the gate
- Standard Cintel files are 2368x1712
- Cropped Cintel files are the standard 4:3 aspect ratio of 1440x1080 for 16mm and 1920x1080 (16:9) for Super 16. Note that this is also the effective resolution of standard files (i.e. the frame will always be 1440x1080 or 1920x1080).
- 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!