This is topic Deranns old shop counter in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.


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Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 28, 2015, 01:56 PM:
 
Just found this little slice of history whilst sifting through my files this afternoon. Brought back happy memories of what once was.

Just look at all that K40 stacked on those shelves!
What we would give to still have all of these lovely goodies on those very same shelves today.

 -
 
Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on February 28, 2015, 02:24 PM:
 
The saying of Rachery Smith from Lost in Space. Oh the pain. Projectors too. Even now after Derann close, its amazing how much collectors have too thank them for.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 28, 2015, 02:26 PM:
 
Very true David, very true.
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on February 28, 2015, 04:46 PM:
 
It reminds us how important it is to support the hobby. I understand that new releases from CHC don't sell well. It would be sad to loose new Super 8 films.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 28, 2015, 05:19 PM:
 
If they were releasing 2x600ft releases to to the standard of "Never Say Never" or "Gremlins" say, but from the very latest 16mm negs that exist, then perhaps things would be different. But to excite us all it HAS to be of this standard and of films that prove very popular indeed!

If a fantastic negative could be got of "Saving Private Ryan" or "Pulp Fiction" let's say, then these would sell but the quality HAS to be on Par with Deranns finest to compete in this Digital perfect world of today.

Derek boxed clever in the 90's, he had the passion, knew his product and knew his market. Hence releases like "Highlander" or "Speed" or "Die Hard". Superb quality action packed films worth preserving in their original format.

The buy now pay later scheme also worked really well I found when purchasing Mary Poppins brand new in that era. It made the out of reach not so daunting when spread over 6 months.

An enthusiasts dream.... You really would have to speculate to accumulate in this era but I believe there are still enough of us if everything was nigh on perfect.

The biggest let down is lack of quality global Lab support in this era. Someone would have to be bold, brave and passionate to even stand any chance of a resurrection.

We had Mummy and Titanic, so some quality films are out there but they have to have a quality stripe before the majority of collectors can,or will, take these products seriously at the price you have to pay for them.

Jasons recent experience is living proof of what I am talking about sadly.

Perhaps all we will ever have as a benchmark, is what Derek and Derann kept running for what was, even then, a minor miracle in that era.

The labs were running at cost I believe just to support film and keep people employed!

Back then, a 720p projector would have blown your socks off so i suppose we have no chance while competing with 4k, 3D or probably not too far in the distant future, 10k in your own living room!

Perhaps ultimately, we just need to embrace all that was, alongside all that is.
 
Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on February 28, 2015, 06:07 PM:
 
Film just has something special for me. Derann who were maybe the last with releaeses now Classic I hope are to do a few. Even with the slight imperfections of real film I love it.

I think most of my films were bought from Derann. The others were likly to be P.M. Films Powell Films, Regent Films, DCR Films too, I would think some of the small shops too. I also bought from the US. Derann did us pround though. I didn't buy some releases because the features were not in scope. I do regert now.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 28, 2015, 06:17 PM:
 
You're collection seems to reflect us all David. I have PM, DCR, Walton features etc etc, but they simply do not compare with the print quality of the later Derann releases once Video Projectors posed a primitive, yet real alternative threat, to his business for the first time in earnest.

It would appear that Derek saw this and reacted accordingly along with the Labs fantastic support of that era and then produced the best that could possibly be made from Super 8 stock.

I am not the biggest fan of scope on film of this gauge, simply because some sharpness and light is always lost when using an anamorphic lens and when compared to the image quality without one, I cannot always tolerate the compromise.
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on March 01, 2015, 12:42 AM:
 
Nobody can blame you, Andrew, for asking top quality. But just let face it : Dearan is (sadly) not here anymore and, as other members said before, it's a miracle to still find new super 8 films at all. I bought some shorts (cartoons, newsreel) and the quality is not bad at all. For one of the film, I was surprised that, for a film from tha 60's, there were almost no lines. I don't know from where they took the negative from, but it was nice.Film will remain alive until people shoot with their cameras and new films will be released. When that ends, it will be definitively history. We are the ones who can keep filmstock being made, at least for a while.
 
Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on March 02, 2015, 12:57 AM:
 
I agree with regard to the "miracle" of modern releases. I can recall doom-spreading digital fanatics gleefully claiming we had seen the last new releases as far back as the late 1990s!

Comparisons with the past are now difficult as we are in an era where the market is so miniscule that the Reel Image or CHC will generally be pleased if they sell as many as 20 prints of any release. No one in such circumstances will see the high investment needed to put out new product as a way of making a living, so we can be very thankful that they do it because of their enthusiasm for film.
 


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