8mm Forum: David Shepard 1940-2017

This is topic David Shepard 1940-2017 in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Timothy Ramzyk (Member # 718) on February 01, 2017, 11:10 AM:

I'm deeply saddened to report that film preservationist David Shepard has passed away.

For any unfamiliar with his work, if you've bought classic silent films on home video from Image, Kino, or Flicker Alley, David's name is most likely on the box.
David provided all of us with an incredible opportunity to see so many important works of cinematic art that might have otherwise remained lost and neglected.

David Shepard took over The Blackhawk Film Collection, which may well be the greatest repository of silent film materials in the US. Not only did he keep key silent titles in play on every video format that came to pass after, he shared what he had with other entities in order to create the best possible, most complete editions of these films. In no way did he have "the mad collector" syndrome who sought to covet and ration.

If I'm not mistaken, he was the last hold-out, for creating custom-printed 16mm prints for film-on-film collectors, and only surrendered within the last decade.

His tireless efforts will reach many generations to come.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on February 01, 2017, 11:50 AM:

I just wrote his company two days ago and wrote bacvk and forth with another fellow who worsk with his archive, (asking about the "Scrooge 1935" print and the possibilities of it being re-released on either DVD or Bluray), and then to hear that the head of this company/archive has passed, quite sad!

Posted by William Olson (Member # 2083) on February 04, 2017, 10:00 AM:

RIP David. Thank you.

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