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Topic: Future Super 8`s. ???
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Mark Todd
Film God
Posts: 3846
From: UK
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted November 09, 2007 01:49 PM
Hi Keith thats why we need to come up with 2 spot on releases that could find a good home anywhere. Hopefully many of us would want one or both of them but still put in to the base fund.
But I do feel very strongly we should many of us on here be up for putting some money in upfront at least the once to try it out and see if we can make a difference.
I don`t think its a charity thing its that businsess sense is going to finish off the hobby before very long unless we can show the two camps that we care and yes lend a hand and show willing and be prepared to put something in whatever, they both take losses on film releases all of the time.
The trouble is that with the nature of film releasing and the things that have to be done, negs made, the machines kept running well etc to print, slit, stripe, record etc, once that base goes thats it, because it would be almost impossible without it, well it would never happen again really.
Many collectors have hundreds or thosands of £`s worth of films so to sell just some odd one or small few to the value of £50 initially at least to fund a venture to keep this great hobby going and too make the two camps feel its worth going on etc isn`t asking too much.
Its juggling a few bits for the future, etc.
Best Mark.
PS I think the last battle scene in saving private ryan is more audience friendly as a bit less graphic, but as I say I`m happy to put my £50 in even if I don`t get the films( but I`ll try) Phil and Denise were very kind to me in the past and Derann have always been very fair and also trusting with me and still are. I think I and many of us owe them a thank you effort etc.
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James N. Savage 3
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1375
From: Washington, DC
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted November 09, 2007 03:15 PM
Its not a bad idea. I would be willing to financially support the idea, once CHC and/or Derann confirmed a title.
A GOOD WAY FOR THEM TO DO THIS would be to list maybe two or three titles, then, if at least 20 people agree to pay the deposit on one specific title, they could go to print.
I think the main thing to do now is to get Derann/CHC to put out the word, through multiple souces (REEL IMAGE, FILM FOR THE COLLECTOR, 8mm Forum, etc.).
If this is done, we may be looking at a new release by spring/summer '08!.
James.
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Keith Ashfield
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 997
From: U.K.
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted November 09, 2007 03:33 PM
Mark, don't get me wrong, I agree with you that the hobby needs "something doing" to help. The crux of the matter is coming up with two cracking releases, finding out if the negatives are available and then, doing an "order requiremnt".
However, I doubt that if every collector on the forum would send £25.00 to either distributor, on a whim.
It would be a dream come true for the business side of things and in an ideal world it would be so. The fact that the distributors have done good things (and they have,without a doubt)will "sway the jury" to your way of thinking.
You mention selling off used films to finance this venture. Assuming that we all brought a used film from a member at £25.00, then passed that onto the distributor. There would be a flood of "second hand" stuff on the market and that is precisely what is "preventing" people from investing in new product at the moment. People will spend a little, often on E-bay, to get what they sometimes think they want and then sell it when they are bored with it, or the quality is bad. The money that is spent on E Bay is the money that should be spent on new product.
You only have to look at Derann's and CHC and others used listings to see the what is available. Not "new" I'll grant you, but nearly everytime the lists goes out, there will be a "much wanted" title for someone to buy.
The answer is, as we both said, and James above - decide on two good titles, by running a "ballot" (which we have already started, in effect). Then, get a commitment of 50% of the cost from the interested parties and proceed from there.
My point earlier is, until we know what the distributors think, we can go around in circles forever.
I will speak to the distributors at Blackpool to see what they say, if they don't respond on the forum before then.
If every other forum member who attends, does the same, they will get a "flavour" of the feeling we have for the project.
It might be interesting to hear from "Mr.Elmo" and co. who were instrumental in "Master and Commander" being released, as to what it took to accomplish that?
P.S. I've already done my bit this year by buying three feature releases from Derann, along with other "bits and pieces" (I'm still paying the bills, as we speak) ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
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"We'll find 'em in the end, I promise you. We'll find 'em. Just as sure as a turnin' of the earth".
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Mark Todd
Film God
Posts: 3846
From: UK
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted November 09, 2007 05:46 PM
Well they can only go on with trailers if peple buy them, but I think we can`t expect them to just carry on in the current situation regarding risks etc and many things not going etc.
Why should they keep risking it for us if we are`nt prepared to chip in with help etc.
What I`m getting at is lets gaurantee them a decent enough subscribed backed up release to go at. A real success for them and the hobby and us.
I`m a bit surprised there is such a money orientation over this as the amount I was suggesting is chicken feed in relation to the cost now and a 400 feet digest anyway is cheap as anything now compared to £30 odd in 1979, work it out etc, its a fraction of the cost now.
Well I think if we don`t try something like this and show that support now super 8 is going to go even sooner than if we show willing.
If we shoot down every idea to spread the super 8 word or help with releases etc etc well we might as well just get the DVDs out full time now.
Come on chaps surely we can muster more enthusiasm and put in some effort and yes some bloomin cash too if its needed.
Its no good being reactive here when it all folds and then say shame etc what heppenes now. If we as a group on here can`t do something a bit more proactive, at least give it a go!!!!
Best Mark.
Lets get an idea of what we could go for, get some commitments, get it to the neg stage and then go for it.
If we had more money and less kids I`d be prepared to put more in to a project like this because this hobby has given me lots of pleasure over the years, I`d hate to see it go but Apathy is going to fire the final shot if we don`t watch out.
[ November 14, 2007, 06:25 AM: Message edited by: Mark Todd ]
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Osi Osgood
Film God
Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted November 09, 2007 10:04 PM
Mark, I think I might have mis-understood. Are you saying ponying up the money to get the rights to this or that extract or even (drool) feature?
Although that would be a good idea, I think that this part is more the responsibility of the distributor, (Derann and CHC), as they are in it for the money, of course, (for the love of it too, but lets face it, no money in it, no product.)
But then, if there was a company, (my dream) who would put, so to speak, "stock" in the company, would also have a fair amount of sway as to what is released.
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"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "
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Adrian Winchester
Film God
Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted November 11, 2007 08:16 AM
Much as I'd like to see cut downs that provide some sort of an edited version of the film in question, it must be the case that the market will not sustain the costs of someone doing this professionally. The only hope would be that S8 enthusiasts with the right skills were willing to do it 'for fun' or maybe a free print. And of course the master material would have to be available for the editing necessary.
I'd cetainly be willing to put in a £20 advance deposit for a title I wanted although I'm not sure how this would work if I didn't want a title, as I must admit that although I buy new films fairly regularly, the last extract I was motivated to buy was one from 'Gladiator'.
Ultimately, although we can all do our best to support Derann and CHC, and also promote new releases to anyone we know on the 'fringes' of the hobby, the future scope for new releases will depend on bringing in new enthusiasts to replace some of those that have been lost. It's a big challenge that I've given quite a lot of thought to. My conclusion is that we need a group of knowledgeable collectors willing to work together to take forward an 'action plan' that would inlude forming something along the lines of a 'Super 8 Advisory Service' that - via webpages and printed material - would market Super 8 collecting to:
a) Existing collectors lacking knowledge of new releases (e.g. people essentially outside of film collecting circles who may have started buying again due to eBay).
b) People who have little or no knowledge of S8 as a collecting medium, but who have interests that make them more likely than the general public to be receptive to it.
The advisory service would not only promote the hobby - with input from anyone from Derann and/or CHC wishing to support it - but would also offer one to one advice to anyone (e.g.) trying to find a decent projector.
Obviously, I have no idea if such a plan would work, but I think it's worth a try and when I have the time I can say why this is, and go into the strategy in greater detail.
Super 8 has shown itself to be an extraordinary 'survivor', largely due to it's ongoing popularity amongst film-makers; particularly 'serious' film-makers and people using it professionally. They clearly think it has a look and charm all of it's own, and I think there could be scope to try and encourage potential new film collectors to take a similar view of it.
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Adrian Winchester
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