a wide film gate, 1,000 feet of film
and a endless
passion
I believe that the next great filmmaker won’t come out of any kind of Hollywood or big-time corporate monopoly. The next truly great filmmaker will come from the world of independent filmmaking. That person may even come from the world of Super 8 filmmaking.
The best hope for really original, thought-provoking, funny, insightful films is going to come from the grass roots. The best part about small, independent filmmaking is that you can green light your own project. You can start tomorrow. I have watched truly great films that have really connected me to the human experience that cost less than $1000 dollars. It is possible and there are lots of you out there doing it everyday.
At The Film Whisperer, I want to specialize in the small, independent filmmaker. I know the effort you have put into your film. I know what that 50 foot roll means to you. I have a lot of respect for independent filmmakers and The Film Whisperer is going to work hard to gain your trust and respect. I want the words “TRANSFER BY THE FILM WHISPERER” to stand for something special.
At The Film Whisperer, we do real-time motion picture transfers using equipment made by Roger Evans’ MovieStuff company. We use video equipment made by Panasonic (model number AG-DVC7P). All color correction and post work is done on a Apple Intel computer using Apple’s Final Cut software. Good Vibration provided by a Huntington Beach, California childhood.
The Film Whisperer can transfer your project to miniDV, Digital8 or portable hard drive (see the Prices page for more information on cost).
eFree8 Program by The Film Whisperer
eFree8 is a program that will get 100 feet of Super 8 or Regular 8 reversal film transferred for free at The Film Whisperer. This program is open to all independent filmmakers (worldwide). One winner will be picked each month. Send us an email and in 100 words or less pitch your film to us. Tell us a little bit about you and your film. At the end of each month, we will pick one lucky independent filmmaker for the free transfer. The only cost is $8.00 for return postage and one miniDV tape. Use this email address only for all eFree8 pitches:
*see below for complete program rules.
The Film Whisperer uses equipment by:
Independent Filmmaker Pricing
Price Per Reel $18.95 per 50 foot reel of Super 8 or Regular 8mm (this price includes one DVD, but does not include miniDV tape). $22.95 per 50 foot reel of Super 8 or Regular 8mm including transfer to one miniDV tape. $39.95 per 200 foot reel (43.95 with transfer to miniDV) of Super 8 or Regular 8mm. $59.95 per 400 foot reel (63.95 with transfer to miniDV) of Super 8 or Regular 8mm.
Color Correction $6.00 for 50 foot reel. $15.00 for 200 foot reel. $20.00 for 400 foot reel. Filmmakers can pick and choose individual shots for color correction at lower costs. Price determined on an individual basis.
Independent Filmmaker information
If you have an important scene where the color or contrast has to be just right, we can upload that shot to a password protected website where you can view the results. Once you view the results, the scene can be corrected before it is mastered.
We can also master your film to portable hard drive. We have a few restrictions in that we can only download to new drives that are made by Kingston or Lacie.
Currently we cannot transfer negative film stocks (like Kodak’s 200T or 500T).
We transfer black and white and color reversal Regular 8 and Super 8.
Remember, just like your favorite restaurant, if you don’t see it on the menu, just ask.
*eFree8 program rules
The Pitch. There was a time when people would laugh at you if you told them that you were a Super 8 filmmaker....well, they’re not laughing anymore. Super 8 is the real deal and has a major pool of talent shooting in this wickedly cool format. However, along with great power comes great responsibility. If you want to make films, even small films, you have to get people to believe in your vision. Here is your chance. In 100 words or less, you have to pitch your film to us. If you make us believe, the reward will be 100 feet of Super 8 or Regular 8 transferred for free.
If you are serious about your filmmaking, then you need to get serious about your pitch. Because if you can get us to say yes, then next time you might be able to get someone else with bigger pockets and bigger rewards to say yes, too. The journey is long, but you absolutely can there from here.
To help administer this unique program, we have a set of rules that should make the entire experience enjoyable for the both of us.
-Your email pitch should include information about yourself and your film and must be 100 words or less.
-Your film must have been shot in the last three years.
-Your film must be silent (it can have sound, it’s just that we cannot transfer sound film), black and white or color reversal Regular 8 or Super 8 film.
-Open to independent filmmakers around the world.
-You can only pitch one film every 30 days.
-From the date your film is picked as a monthly winner, you have one calendar year to have your film transferred. Your free offer expires after one year.
-Your free transfer is non-transferable (you can’t give it to your friend, uncle Bill or sell it on eBay). It can only be used by you.
-If your film is picked as a monthly winner, by accepting the offer you agree to have The Film Whisperer use your name on our website and/or other promotional materials or venues.
-You can only send your 100 word or less pitch to the following email address: efree8@thefilmwhisperer.com
-Good luck!
For a great read and lots of information about the world of independent Super 8 filmmaking check out Super 8 Today.
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