8mm Forum: Captain America Digest

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Posted by Bob Pucci (Member # 8) on January 06, 2013, 05:31 PM:

Did anyone here get notified by Steve Osbourne that the Captain America Digest is ready for the people who ordered it.I received mine Friday and I'd like to know what everyone thinks.Thanks.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 06, 2013, 05:52 PM:

Bob what did you think? Now that I have the GS I might start picking these up if people think there are good one out there.

Posted by Bob Pucci (Member # 8) on January 06, 2013, 06:10 PM:

Hi Dino

I don't have the film as yet.I guess I didn't explain myself well.It should be ready in 4 to 5 weeks Steve said.It's kinda of expensive for a 34 minute digest ($225.00).That's why I want to know what others think.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on January 06, 2013, 08:21 PM:

With basically only one lab left that will make Super 8mm prints, it's a very, very expensive venture to come out with a new release. I've heard that the best that can be expected is the chance to break even on the cost of importing these. I'm going to support this 100% not only because it got a rave review, but in the hope that this won't be the last digest ever released.

Doug

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on January 06, 2013, 08:32 PM:

Doug's not kidding! When we made our 14 minute reels of classic animated commercials (Saturday Morning Madness), after recording and everything, the reel cost approximately 130.00 dollars, and that was with no profit for Steve Osbourne, myself or my partner. Fortunately we had a good friend in the california who made us our negative for a very low cost (approximately 300.00, where it would have cost near 1,000 dollars if we had it made at that film lab), and even then, we didn't make back our investment of 300.00 ...

... but we have the satisfaction that 16 or more prints were made of that title, (I own two myself), and so, not only have we brought fun to others, (and that was worth the investment alone), but we were able to add to the legacy of super 8 in it's truly, last days, (or gasps?)

WOW! That much for a digest? It sounds like costs are still arising!

I only wish they had picked another film as the subject of the digest.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on January 06, 2013, 08:48 PM:

I'm also a proud owner of Osi's release.

As for the choice of film, there is no way to make everyone happy. Some collectors will want it, some won't. Certain Derann releases were second guessed in those last few years. My thought back then was that this was their choice for whatever reason (probably print or negative availability) and either I buy it or I don't.

Doug

Posted by Laksmi Breathwaite (Member # 2320) on January 06, 2013, 08:49 PM:

Can anyone post screen shots from it . And why not the AVENGERS digest?

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on January 06, 2013, 10:16 PM:

I have to endorse what Doug says - it's not like the 'old days', we are in an era in which ANY release is a labour of love and we are lucky it becomes available. Nothing will sell in large quantities. One of the biggest blockbusters of recent years was 'Avatar' but I'd be pleasantly surprised if there are more than 10 members of this Forum who bought the trailer on 8 or 16mm.

CHC regularly ask collectors if they can assist with master material. If you think a certain release could have more appeal than 'Captain America', the question is could YOU provide a master, and if it's a digest, would you allow your 35mm print to be chopped up?

Posted by Zechariah Sporre (Member # 2358) on January 06, 2013, 10:22 PM:

I was kinda curious what the Captain America digest was running. It's great to see a few things being released still. It's a shame there isn't enough demand for a few more current films to be released on Super 8. When you see what some of these high quality feature films are going for on Ebay the price for this isn't really that bad. Especially considering it's brand new and you are going to be one of only a handful of people that will have it in your collection.

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on January 06, 2013, 11:17 PM:

Unfortunately, the negative was not done at the same place as Osi's negative as the optical printing equipment went to the scrap pile. Maybe the price would have been slightly less.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on January 07, 2013, 12:38 PM:

That's what my fellow told me. He has even desired to purchase it, from what he told me and it was a damned shame that it just ended up on a scrap pile! A scrap pile for petes sake! GRRRRR!

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on January 07, 2013, 12:51 PM:

Yes indeedy. The real lab cost to produce new 8mm prints is phenomenal as a few of us were hoping to take the dive. In reality land we can only applaud Steve and Phil (Classic) for making new material available and our enquiries made it clear what reasonable prices many good quality 8mm used prints are selling for today. I’ll take my hat off to anyone making new material available.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on January 07, 2013, 01:13 PM:

ehem Lee, not top toot my own horn, (well, I guess I am, aren't I), but at least in the case of "Saturday Morning Madness" Steve was just the distributor, I and my partner made that happen.

This is not to take anything away from Steve, as he has been distributing Phil Sheards's releases and anybody else that puts out one here and there, (Larry Arpin and his trailer reels recently, for instance), but the hard work was done by the Arpin's, Osi's and Sheard's of the world.

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on January 07, 2013, 06:33 PM:

$225 for a 34 minute digest is serious money. I suppose, however, that with inflation this was approximately the cost in today's dollars of a Universal 8 2-parter running 34 minutes circa 1980. (I recall paying about $80 in 1980.)

I enjoyed CAPTAIN AMERICA, but I wouldn't pay $225 for the digest. It is just not economical for me. I wouldn't even pay $80 now for a 34 minute digest.

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on January 07, 2013, 07:05 PM:

One question. Is the Captain America digest 34 mins. I was under the impression it was coming on a 600ft reel but printed on very thick acetate so I expected running time to be around 18 mins I guess. I know there was also an extra part coming at a later date, Is this now included?? hey thats two questions [Big Grin]

Graham S

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on January 07, 2013, 08:55 PM:

Mine is on order! [Smile]

Also Steve is not just distributing but also was a major player in making this New Super 8 release happen!

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on January 07, 2013, 09:20 PM:

I was wondering about how 34mins could fit on a 600' - is that time confirmed? I heard encouraging news that the lab would be able to print on polyestar stock by now, but even if that's true, I'm not sure if it would fit on a 600'.

To give credit to Steve, although he's often collaborating with Phil S, he has also initiated certain releases that Phil didn't get involved in or even stock.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on January 07, 2013, 11:02 PM:

I believe the film is on acetate and is being delivered on two reels. Running time is approx 33 minutes.

Doug

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on January 08, 2013, 01:09 AM:

Osi, I love you man, but please please please, do not undercut the hard work that Steve Osborne does and has been doing for decades to support and keep this hobby going..Film distributors come and go all of the time with many only being able to do a "one and done" catalog, but Steve has stuck with this hobby. To emphasize my point pull out issue #34 (Fall 1991) of Coming Attractions (Steve's predecessor to The Reel Image) and there is a post from one Leon Norris who states "I have always heard so much about this machine (the GS-1200) and I finally got one." Now Leon is looked at as the premier guy stateside when it comes to the GS-1200...Likewise the ads in that issue are from "Dave Thomas Films, Derann Films, Front Row Movies, Cinema Entertainment Co." none of whom are still around, yet Steve is still publishing a magazine about Super 8...My point is it takes more than just distributors to keep a hobby alive, and Steve is one of the greats!!!!!

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on January 08, 2013, 06:40 AM:

I agree with Dino 100%. Steve keeps us supplied not only with films and equipment to keep us running , but also with an enthusiasm for the hobby that will be essential for keeping such a hobby going.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on January 08, 2013, 03:14 PM:

So true gentlemen, so true! Steve Osborne has always, and still is, keeping this hobby fun and alive for collectors. Always working hard to bring out new material and assisting collectors with payment plans to accomidate some of the less-wealthy folks (like me [Smile]

), and I believe he even got burned some times by collectors that received films and never paid. And yet he continues to keep the hobby going.

I really do appreciate all the efforts by Phil and others here as well, but don't sell Steve short, as he does alot, and you'll never hear about it because he won't publicise all the sacrifice that he makes.

I just got the message about Captain America too, and I plan on buying a copy. I believe Steve is offering a lay-away plan for those who can't pay all at once (like me [Smile]

).

James.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on January 09, 2013, 12:39 PM:

As stated earlier, not taking anything away from Steve, as I have benefited greatly from him as well, andn I don't know the catalog of releases he has personally initiated and completed in the past (that would make an interesting series of posts!)...

It's just that Steve is not acting all alone. As all have stated before, Steve has done an excellent job of keeping his super 8 business alive, even here in 2013!

Posted by Scott Mallory (Member # 2393) on January 09, 2013, 04:05 PM:

I've been collecting less Super 8 since taking the dive into 16mm where there's more stuff to splice to create my own film, nostalgia experience (thanks to Wayne's drive-in stuff). But I'll definitely be picking this up to support the hobby and Steve. It's pricey but a gutsy effort for the love of film. Besides, Steve's always been great to me. I've spent plenty of times at his basement theater and my wife and kids even got to hang out there over the holidays.

Posted by Laksmi Breathwaite (Member # 2320) on January 10, 2013, 02:12 AM:

Hey you guys how do I get intouch with Steve Osborne ? Whats his email I want to order a CAPTAIN AMERICA digest!

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on January 10, 2013, 04:19 AM:

I would not mind buying one as well!
[Big Grin]

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on January 10, 2013, 09:43 AM:

Well, even though I had no intentions of seeing CAPTAIN AMERICA, because of the new digest I decided to watch it, which I did last night. I have to say, I really liked the film and will definitely consider buying a print. I'm still wondering how good the picture and sound quality will on the super 8 version. I hope whoever sees it first will review it here [Smile]

Posted by Laksmi Breathwaite (Member # 2320) on January 10, 2013, 11:06 AM:

Hey why not someone make theBLADE RUNNER digest ?

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on January 15, 2013, 06:48 AM:

print was reviewed in the Reel Image magazine. Also Steve reports that the prints are incredibly sharp and nice.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on January 15, 2013, 08:40 AM:

Hi Gary, Is this review you mention in a new issue I didn't get yet?, or the one with Captain America on the cover? Anyway, I'd like to read a review from a Forum member when they actually see and hear the print before I decide whether or not to buy one....

Posted by Ernie Zahn (Member # 274) on July 01, 2013, 01:09 PM:

Wondering if anyone has written a review on the forum yet. I'd be willing to support these efforts but I'd still not like to make the purchase blindly.

Can anyone even write a brief things, The Good, The Bad, The Final Verdict?

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on July 01, 2013, 03:18 PM:

Ernie,

If you're ever curious about a whether a review has been posted, go to the "8mm Print Reviews" section and check out the index. Then you would see that this title was reviewed back in March. Simply click on the link in the index to read the review.

Doug

Posted by Akshay Nanjangud (Member # 2828) on July 01, 2013, 03:31 PM:

Boys sure had some fun on that thread. [Big Grin]

Posted by Ernie Zahn (Member # 274) on July 01, 2013, 03:47 PM:

quote:
Ernie,

If you're ever curious about a whether a review has been posted, go to the "8mm Print Reviews" section and check out the index. Then you would see that this title was reviewed back in March. Simply click on the link in the index to read the review.

Doug

Thanks! Don't know how I missed that one.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on July 01, 2013, 04:25 PM:

Here's a link to Steve's website.

http://thereelimage.jimdo.com/

He made the jump into light speed! [Eek!]

PatD

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