8mm Forum: Why populat tv programmes?

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Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on June 07, 2018, 02:13 PM:

As with most of the enthusiasts in these columns, if i could afford it, I would love to have film copies of my favourite movies, as opposed to DVD's and the like.
However, at the risk of committing blasphemy and possibly being thrown off the forum, I sometimes wonder at the proclivities of some members.
For example, the search for film copies of popular TV series that haunt our digital channels with almost monotonous regularity every day. Even as we speak the search is on for copies of Quincy or Collumbo, both of which seem difficult to avoid when you look through the schedules.
Have I finally gone over the line?

[ June 07, 2018, 03:41 PM: Message edited by: Allan Broadfield ]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on June 07, 2018, 02:21 PM:

I get it:

I have a video projector connected to a Blu-ray player, it shows on the same screen as my film projectors and blasts through the same sound system, and even though I already had a perfectly nice digital cope of "Airplane!" I bought it on film recently, just for the joy of showing it as a real film.

The same can be said for "Das Boot", even if the film print eliminates the chance to hear it in English.

-Ditto for a couple of Star Treks.

Then again there is the Derann Toy Story I have when Digital Pixar is available everywhere on the Planet 24 hours a day for pennies. A non-film guest asked how much the print cost once and I said "More than a pizza, less than a car." (In other words: "Don't ask")

It's the classic "buy a fish/catch a fish" idea, sometimes the process becomes as satisfying as the results, other times you just feel like having fish for dinner and don't feel like spending an afternoon down at the lake!

-Otherwise why would anyone ever knit a sweater?

Besides: we don't really do the whole Blasphemy Thing here. (I would be a heretic myself dozens of times over if so.)

Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on June 07, 2018, 02:48 PM:

I know how you feel, I too have the video projector option, coupled with DVD's and the odd film copy of the same subject.
The magic of the cine projector (my kids actually prefer it, cos I bought them up right!) still has it's grip on me, so I suppose there's no hope...we're all a little mad?
PS, just remembered, I also have a 16mm episode of Maverick!

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on June 07, 2018, 03:14 PM:

I think a lot of the enjoyment of film vs. video is because this is at least a two dimensional question and if you look at it single dimensionally it's easy to misunderstand.

You have these two guys in a movie theater:

Bob is down in the audience watching the movie. It's his favorite director and the actors that usually work with him. He loves the use of suspense, music and lighting, the dialog is well written and the story is a pretty decent tribute to the book.

Bob is a smart guy. He teaches English lit. at the local college and wants to write a novel some day. Bob is however extremely mechanically inept: he has to bring his car to a mechanic to check the tire pressure and almost burned down his house changing a light bulb once. Someone said he needed to reboot his computer and he kicked it twice! He doesn't understand the difference between film and video and doesn't care: he is purely a movie fan. He leaves that other stuff to that guy upstairs who keeps looking out the little window.

Joe is up in the booth running the projector: he's been doing it for 20 years and knows every gear in the beast just by their sounds. He enjoys the mechanics of making up shows and the satisfaction of giving the people a professional presentation.

Other than checking lamp, focus, frame and sound, Joe isn't watching the feature today. He's been through 15 showings of it, sat in the audience a few times last week, and frankly doesn't even like it! At least as far as this flick goes: he is purely a film guy.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a pure movie fan, loads of people are. It's just that people here are film fans too and we understand this in both dimensions. It just doesn't always translate very well across the divide!

Posted by Mark Davies (Member # 6249) on June 07, 2018, 03:32 PM:

Apologies if I miss-understand, but are we talking about converting video (DVD, Video etc) to 8/16mm etc?

If I am correct, this is quite funny, because only the other day I was thinking of this process, I suppose what could be called an 'invertor'??

Of course you can get cine effect by many editing applications, but with that, you don't actually get the feel of the film.

Kind Regards Mark.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on June 07, 2018, 03:34 PM:

I'd say it's basically "Why have a film print of something commonly available on video?".

Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on June 07, 2018, 03:35 PM:

Back in the sixties I was a cinema projectionist. Probably the most boring film I showed was 'The Hustler'. It was a west end venue, so it went on for several weeks, and I think we all went a little loopy, as it was a rather talky subject, the appeal of which was probably lost above the clatter of those Westars.
However, in my now non professional guise, I have since seen it and enjoyed the experience. All a matter of perspective, I suppose.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on June 09, 2018, 04:30 PM:

Allan

I think people who collect 16mm films of TV series that they already have on DVD are totally NUTS.

PS. Has anyone got a 16mm print of "Lost In Space" they want to part with in excellent color, with no splices or scratches, but most importantly, it has to be cheap, and I do mean cheap [Big Grin]

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on June 10, 2018, 03:50 AM:

Of course a lot of TV series originally on videotape now only exist because of film copies (kinescopes), the original tapes having been reused. I wonder if anyone would end up with a film of a video put to film then video and back to film.
Of course some Dr Who does only exist as short scenes on 8mm film of Australian repeats of 16mm film recordings telecined for transmission and these have now been coped to digital files. Where does it all end?

Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on June 10, 2018, 04:32 AM:

Yes Graham. We are all nuts, and I note the incogruity in your PS, rather like mine.
Others collect matchboxes, cutlery, plates, dolls etc., and some celebrate xmas every day of the year, which to me is excessively nutty, so I suppose it's relative.
But I still puzzle at searching for something, probably at great expense, that is difficult to avoid as you scroll through the channels, when there are great films out there for the asking..
Having said that, this is what makes the forum so fascinating I suppose!

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on June 10, 2018, 02:05 PM:

Allan

I remember going along to a film night years ago, the person included a 16mm print of some TV program. I cant even remember what it was. After close to an hour worth of sitting through it at long last it finished, thinking "right" what happened at the end of the story. I asked the person doing this film show is there another reel? he replied some TV finish like this [Roll Eyes]

I said well fat lot of good that is, after sitting through this stuff only to find that it was one of many TV series that were to continue next week on TV. I was really annoyed that night, as to how stupid it was to put something on for others that never had an ending.

I myself don't have any TV programs and what I have seen elsewhere a lot of that stuff has now faded, but people still buy and watch it, as to why they do this I really don't understand and never will.

Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on June 11, 2018, 04:13 AM:

I take off my hate to you, Graham, especially as I do have that 16mm episode of Maverick - my excuse being that this series was as rare as hens teeth on the market at the time. Now of course it's well catered for on the DVD scene.

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 3790) on June 11, 2018, 04:37 AM:

Episodes of 'Star Trek' always sell, and they are shown every day.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on June 11, 2018, 06:22 AM:

for me, first off,-
I have no interest at a all in trying to convert a DVD to cine film. The price would make it a pointless and stupid exercise, but thats me,
secondly, i to also ventured into the DVD projection thing, it is fine for for showing the films you can never obtain on cine, (8 or 16) but i dont think ive gone out of my way to project a DVD or Blu Ray for about 8 months now. I still continue to buy films on cine even when i have the DVD or Blu ray. As many have said before, projecting real film has a magic all of its own.
99.9% of film buffs today dont seem to get it simply because the new generation have projection at there finger tips with a fraction of the cost, no faded image no scratches, and an unlimited supply of titles. Wheres the fun in that? [Big Grin]

Posted by Robert Crewdson (Member # 3790) on June 11, 2018, 07:28 AM:

I don't see the harm in buying the odd TV show, especially if it's a complete story. Trying to complete a series is something else. Some might wonder if you have a DVD of any film, why spend a higher amount when a print comes along. Owning a piece of plastic isn't the same.

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on June 11, 2018, 09:52 AM:

I see no problem in buying a TV programme on super 8 or 16mm when the programme itself originated on film. In my case, the likes of Star Trek, M*A*S*H and Sgt.Bilko adorn my collection all originating on film.
However, there are exceptional circumstances that a telecine print of a TV programme is enhanced on the B I G screen. Ones that come to mind are...

1) This is Your Life Laurel & Hardy. A bit of a ropey transfer,I admit, but does still look great blown up,so to speak.

2) The Beatles Washington / Budokan concerts. Enough said.

3) Mohammad Ali boxing fights of the '70's. Blatantly telecine but looks great.....with classic commentary from Harry Carpenter.

4) England vs Scotland. The one at Wembley with the pitch invasion and goal posts get wrecked. This was pure BBC video coverage and commentary transferred to super 8. Still looks great.

Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on June 11, 2018, 11:18 AM:

I used to buy 16mm prints of TV shows form American TV. You have to remember at one time although there was VHS not many TV programmes were available like now with dvd. Those that were only a couple of episodes made it. I know Star Trek was out, but Hogans Heroes I don't recall seeing on video back then.

One fantastic thing now you can see those programmes better than when they were first shown. And that's down to the magic of film.

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