Screening formats.

Posted on May 21, 2007

Projecting a DVD up on a theater sized screen is not going to look very good. Fortunately, most of the festivals allow for better formats. The problem is, some allow this and some allow that; but unless you have a fat wallet, you cannot possibly be prepared for all festivals. I’ve already ruled the Ottawa International Film Festival out for this very reason.

Film output is going to be more than $3,000 for this 12 minute project. It isn’t a cost I wish to absorb at the moment when there are less expensive alternatives that look very good. Although I’d love to put the short on film, not only because it would look great, but it is pretty much universally accepted by all festivals. However, I’ve decided not to do it unless I have to (there is only one reason that I would “have to”). So, I’ve decided to get HDCAM and digiBeta copies. The HD version will cost around $600 to have done. I’ll supply a 1920×1080 uncompressed Quicktime which will be run straight to the tape. After that HDCAM tape is completed, I’ll have to spend another $200 or so to have it downconverted to digiBeta.

The 1920×1080 HD copy is going to look much better than the 720×486 digiBeta. However, many festivals don’t accept HDCAM. The ones that don’t will generally accept digiBeta. And the ones that don’t accept either can take DVD or miniDV (both of which are easy enough to make).

Unfortunately, a few festivals won’t screen any of those formats. Take Ottawa for instance. They only accept 35mm or Beta SP. Neither of which I have and I don’t see a reason to get another tape format when I wouldn’t use it anywhere else.


Filed Under TDDUP-Festivals

Comments

5 Responses to “Screening formats.”

  1. Keith Lango on May 21st, 2007 11:30 am

    Dang, only #3k for a 12 minute short? The prices of film outs have really dropped since the last time I looked into doing a film out. A 3 minute film out of “Lunch” (4mins) would have set me back about $7,000 in 2001. And just two years before that “Evelyn” (5min) would have run me over $12,500! Still, $3k is a lot of money for just one fest. But you know that seeing the short on film on the big screen would look flippin’ sweet.

  2. Rick on May 21st, 2007 12:29 pm

    I’ve never agressively priced this before. So, you are probably right. The highest $ that was quoted me was around $8900. The lowest was $3k. I was told by another guy that the absolute minimum for laser recording would be just under $4,000.

    One of the film out guys brought up a good point. He said that most festivals spend very little money on the projectors to show the video material. Whether that is digiBeta, DVD, or even HDCAM. However, if you have a 35mm film project, the projectors are generally much better and therefore look clearer simply for that reason (not to mention that the resolution would be higher too).

  3. Teresa Lang on May 22nd, 2007 9:27 pm

    Some film distributors will pay for the transfer to 35mm. Check out Spike and Mike (they have two touring animation compilations — classic and sick & twisted). There is also the Animation Show, which also screens its compilations on film, but I don’t have first hand knowledge that they pay for the transfer to 35mm.

    It wouldn’t hurt to submit your film to either of these or other distributors (there were a few other Computer Graphic specific compilation tours in the late 90s, but I don’t know what’s become of them). If you do go this route and a distributor offers you a deal, I would recommend that before you sign a distribution agreement, you have a lawyer review the contract. Hopefully a lawyer wouldn’t cost $3,000 ;o)

  4. Jonathan Lyons on July 6th, 2007 9:01 am

    Hi Rick

    I have a short film that will be showing in the Siggraph Animation Theater this year. I need some good information about format output for future festivals. I’d like to know what service/company you are using.

    I tried the contact page, but didn’t find the “form” for it.

  5. Rick on July 7th, 2007 8:19 am

    Sorry Jonathan,

    My contact form was broken and I didn’t realize it. Fixed now - thanks for bringing it to my attention.

    Regarding your question. There are lots of people that will do it. Since I do not know where you are located, I suggest calling around to post or duplication houses in your area. In SF, I found a few that could do both HDCAM and DigiBeta. I also spoke with a few down in LA. Most of the prices are nearly the same. I felt confident with some more than others and a few were just plain rude or unresponsive. I’m tempted to post those company names here, but I shall refrain.

    If you live in either of these two areas, let me know and I’ll tell you who you can try (please contact me via the form again so that I can directly respond).

    Rick

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