First Time Ever

Every now and then our archive has a film intake and in 2004 we found ourselves in posession of some Nitrate film in a collection of cinema equipment. Among the films was a camera-original negative which has never been printed or used. Although in poor condition it was still fit to run and so we transferred it to a new digital master as a precautionary measure. The film came from a collection in Leeds which originally came from the former Regal Cinema, Petworth. The only way of working out where it was filmed is a passing steam train in the background of one shot otherwise there is no clue. The film was shot in the mid to late 1920s and it has a feel of being either 'glamour' film or fashions on show, it's anyone's guess. If you know anything about the film or recognise your granny or grandad in it, please let us know.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• archive
• Petworth
• Regal
• Cinema
• 1920s
• silent
• film
• Nitrate

[PictureHouseCinema]

The film had to be checked for perf damage and repaired where required before being run through our 35mm projector at 24fps. The transfer is by direct gate so no projection occurs. the camera is mounted facing the film in the gate. The image has to be flipped, mirrored and then color reversed and finally monochromed. The video file runs smoother than you see it here. Watching 95 year old nitrate at 24fps is frightening!

[phsycospacezilla]

Its weird seeing Old video's like this knowing everyone in the thing your watching is long dead.