Digital Film Transfer / Shooting Film?

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been on here, but I have a question.

I have a question about a project I'm going to be starting on soon.

I planned to shoot my film digitally, and edit it myself etc. It's low budget (under $1000), and I plan on renting my camera and building my own track/dolly and jib. Anyway, the whole project was going to be entered into a few festivals next year. As some of you may know, most festivals will accept dvd submissions for viewing, but as far as screening purposes, they expect an actual film format or betacam. Is it possible to convert a digital format to film? Ive heard that the process is called film out and I've only found a couple of websites that offer such a service but charge $150-200 per minute of transfer...does this seem legit?

I'd love to shoot 16mm film, but I'm a complete noob when it comes to film. Would it be possible (and less expensive) to shoot on an inexpensive 16mm camera and splice the film together myself once it's developed?

If anyone can offer some tips or point me in the direction for further reading about shooting and editing film and that whole deal, I would love to learn more. Sorry for the long post guys, and I appreciate the help!

Chris,

Like Dave said, film is very expensive to shoot, and there are a number of additional steps to take while shooting.

If you were to shoot 16mm film, then edit to a reel, your film would l lack audio. I could be wrong, as it has been a few years since I've shot anything with film, I don't believe Kodak or Fuji sell 16mm or 35mm film stocks with the capability to record sound. You might find some old Super 8mm sound film on ebay, but then you are taking a gamble with the condition of the film, and how your footage could potentially be affected.

As for the question of shooting digitally, and transferring to film - yes, it can be done, but it is very expensive. A few years ago we were approached to shoot a digital feature film that needed to have a 35mm master print. I think the cost was $350/minute with 35mm - it added an additional $30,000 to our production budget. I assume you were looking at a 16mm master print if it was $150-$200 per minute?

If your budget is $1,000 and you have never worked with film before, I would recommend to shoot your film digitally, and go to a production house that can dub to a Betacam master for festivals. A betacam master might run $50-$150 depending on the final length of your finished film, so plan accordingly with your budget.

Good luck, and I hope for the best with your film!

Have a good one,

Denton

Digital to film conversions are yesterday's workflow. Today, shoot, edit, project all digital. Kodak and Fuji are getting out of the print business for a reason, the rapid rate of digital projection equipment is making film functionally obsolete.

FYI the digital to film process was expensive, $30~50k, so just deliver whatever digital cinema format required and be thankful you don't have to budget that process anymore!

Cheers,

Malcolm

Malcolm
http://www.malcolmproductions.com