8mm Forum: smallformat ends its run

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Posted by Juergen Lossau (Member # 359) on November 03, 2008, 11:44 AM:

Berlin-based Fachverlag Schiele & Schön has decided to cease printing our magazine at the end of 2008, after three years of publication. smallformat – the international journal for fans of Super 8, Single-8 and 16mm film – was founded by editor-in-chief Jürgen Lossau in 2005. Unfortunately, the number of subscribers and advertisers in this difficult and shrinking market did not reach our expectations. Therefore, economic survival is not possible. The lack of financial support from the only remaining film manufacturer was also a deciding factor behind the publisher’s decision.

smallformat has endeavored to present small gauge film topics in a high quality publication with modern design. From the arrival of the first issue in 2005, we won over many subscribers from around the world who embraced smallformat enthusiastically. The publishers and the editor-in-chief would like to warmly thank our readers for their trust and often enthusiastic reactions. We also owe a great deal to the advertisers who made this magazine possible through their continuous ad placements. We would especially like to acknowledge MWA Nova, MovieStuff, Wittner Cintec, Andec Filmtechnik, Spectra, Laboratoires Cine Dia, Nano Lab, Retro Enterprises, single8film.com, Pro8mm, Clive Tobin, onsuper8.org and filmshooting.com.

smallformat will bid farewell to our readers with issue 6/2008. Editor-in-chief Jürgen Lossau would be remiss not to take this opportunity to acknowledge translator and proofreader James Grahame for his great work. The German publication schmalfilm – which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year – will not be impacted by the cancellation of the international edition. smallformat readers interested in schmalfilm are asked to contact our editorial staff.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on November 03, 2008, 12:13 PM:

Juergen,

Sad news indeed. I had been wondering if your call for the additional 150 or so subscriptions (mine included) would be enough to keep going, but evidently not.
While it's perhaps not surprising that Kodak stopped being interested, it is a pity they don't have more appreciation of their history with the format, to the point that a bit of funding could have continued.

An excellent magazine, with a lot of work from you and others. I know I am not alone in saying 'Thank you very much' for your dedicated efforts and sense of quality in bringing us, in the "video wilderness" of 2008, a fine publication to keep the light shining on 'the little format that won't die.'

Short of another print publisher stepping up, are you considering expanding the website to take over from the print edition?
I will be in touch about the German edition.

Claus.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on November 03, 2008, 07:44 PM:

Jürgen,

I'm so sorry that Small Format only has two more issues left to go. Coincidentally I received issue #4/2008 today and as I was looking through the articles on the Canon 1014, filming in Belgium and Singapore, and the Out of the Box series (Keith Wilton & John Clancy were kind enough to include me in their byline), I was thinking how great it was that this magazine was being published. Thank you for giving us three years of exceptional issues.

Doug

Posted by Fabrizio Mosca (Member # 142) on November 04, 2008, 09:52 AM:

Juergen,

have you considered the hypothesis of adding a translation of the german edition as a plain text paper, with a new subscription option?

Fabrizio

Posted by Juergen Lossau (Member # 359) on November 04, 2008, 11:07 AM:

Fabrizio,

we would be very happy if some subscribers of the international issue are interested in the German version but a translation into English language would cost about Euro 3000 per issue. This is too expensive, sorry. We can only offer the German issue like it is.

Posted by Simon McConway (Member # 219) on November 05, 2008, 02:03 AM:

HOW can we save it?

Posted by Juergen Lossau (Member # 359) on November 05, 2008, 02:13 AM:

Dear Simon,

this project needs appr. Euro 20,000 per year to survive. This means 300 more subscribers or some major advertisers. Unfortunately, we could not find this support. I have to thank my publishers that they gave me the chance to try this project and that they have been willing to support the magazine with the power of their staff free of charge. Layout, marketing, shipping - this was all done free of charge with the hope that this project might get be strong enough to finance itself one day and will have a balanced budget. We worked hard to achieve this aim but after 3 years I cannot promise any improvement.

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on November 05, 2008, 03:10 AM:

Thank you for putting the magazine together in the first place Juergen. I have every issue and will keep them forever with my copies of Movie Maker as part of a souvenir of a time when Super 8 was king. Every issue has been outstanding and I congratulate you for what you achieved.

Posted by Juergen Lossau (Member # 359) on November 05, 2008, 03:52 AM:

John - this was possible with your support and help! Thanks for your articles. Hope to get another one for issue 6/2008!

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on November 05, 2008, 07:15 AM:

An excellent magazine that will be sadly missed.

Well done Jeurgen and team, I looked forward to every issue.

David Kilderry

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on November 05, 2008, 12:09 PM:

What an extraordinary achievement to have put this together, and amazing that the publisher would donate staff and services. Pity that's more than a certain major manufacturer has seen fit to do.

Three cheers for Juergen!

Posted by John Clancy (Member # 49) on November 06, 2008, 03:14 AM:

I already have an item planned for 6/2008. Just let me know when you need it by and I'll put it all together. It's been great to see film collecting and film making articles in glossy colour in a modern magazine. A marvel in today's world if you ask me!

Posted by Juergen Lossau (Member # 359) on November 18, 2008, 02:27 AM:

Giles Perkins of www.onsuper8.org and Doug Thomas of Spectra Film & Video started a campaign to save smallformat. They are looking for new subscribers for the magazine. Here is the link:

http://onsuper8.blogspot.com/2008/11/save-smallformat.html onsuper8

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