RERECORD DUBBING OF A BRITISH SUPER-8 PRINT IN ENGLISH TO CASTILIAN SPANISH FROM A DIGITAL SOURCE.

For the purpose of synchronizing the Castilian Spanish dubbing in an English Super-8 feature film, I usually transfer the original version to track two first, and, then, I proceed to re-record the Spanish dubbing on track one.

HAL 9000 is supervising the redubbing... ;-)

If the feature masters on both versions (digital and film) are very different, or the film positive has splices, then I usually sound with a Goko Stereo Moviola, or any of its clones, but in Mark-2 version, with the fine  adjustment of cadence at hand on its side (not in the back), and ultra-bright lighting to compare the moviola screen with the monitor screen with the picture of the digital source.

Just the same picture both in film and digital screen

In this case, for Hammer´s "Dr. Jekyll and sister Hyde", distribuited by Derann Films, since the master of the digital version and the one of the film version are almost the same, I decided to do the rerecord with the Fujicascope SD25, which has a quartz speed lock, and, as in other times,  to change the rate of the digital version from 25 to 24 frames per second with Premiere.

Projector with Quartz lock

However, for some reason, this modification of cadence in this case did not work, and I had to sound the film at the strange speed of 23.9 frames per second. This rerecord dubbing with sync sound, which combines technique with craftsmanship, is a laborious and time-consuming task but is rewarded when you see the results.

Lip Sync

In this specific case of this film title, I record the Spanish dubbing on both tracks, since track 1 has some problem in its composition and the sound obtained is low. When I show the film, I will have to play both tracks at the same time.

THE YEAR THAN YASHICA CHANGED HIS MIND.

When both super-8 and single-8 were introduced, in 1965, Yashica made only 7.000 cameras of the TL30 camera for single-8, prior to change to super-8 in 1966. More than 50 years later the camera is still in working condition. 

MUTASCAN IS ALIVE AND WELL (Last minute news: they closed and will open in other address)

MUTASCAN CLOSED. Sad, but some good news: they will open in a new address with other name: helsinkifilmandgear.fi

Email: info@helscan.fi 

18/SEPT/24

The small Finnish company Mutascan has made a name for itself over the last few years not only by selling cheap motion picture film equipment, but also by processing and scanning with great quality at very reasonable prices.

Two or three months ago there were rumours that the company had gone bankrupt. As I had developed two or three cartridges in April, with complete efficiency, I decided to send them a roll of Ektachrome some weeks ago.

Well, friends, no bankruptcy: I received it perfectly processed (although not as quickly as before). But this is the proof than Mutascan is fully operational and is, without a doubt, the best alternative for filmmakers in Scandinavian countries.

Although they are not as fast as before, their processing is very clean. The point they need to improve is the response to the customer: you cannot leave filmmakers without news of their work for weeks. 

I will continue to use Mutascan's services occasionally, but also I will working with Frank Bruisma, from Reversal Lab, in Holland, who does a very good job, returning the material well sorted and adding polyester tails to the films. 

For large jobs, I will also continue working with Andec Cinegrell, in Germany,  as they are undoubtedly the best lab in Europe for larger orders, and when there are more than ten cartridges they offer very reasonable discounts.

For extreme speed, with overnight development and scanning, in Spain, the best option is Retrolab, which works mainly for advertising agencies.

And, whenever I have time, of course, I will continue to develop myself, and for this reason I have already ordered a new one Jobo processing machine (same one used by Marwan Mozayen of Silvergrain Classics).

Post Scriptum: Mutascan may be in financial trouble, but they are still processing film today. What we need to do is help small companies like this survive when they need it most

For maximum discretion, I sent this cartridge with the name of my assistant Alex (Alejandro): in this way I ensured anonymous treatment.