I am working on my first short film, a 16mm affair, and am working with an editor who is also a beginner. He has experience with digital in Final Cut Pro, but not with film. I will be processing the workprint using my own equipment. What I'd like to know is what is the best way to get to the release print. It will be blown up to 35. My understanding is that I take the workprint to the lab and get a telecine transfer to mini-DV (that's the format we need for Final Cut). Then my editor will use that to create an edit decision list. I give the list, the workprint, and the DAT to the lab and they match it up and create a composite 35 print. Is this correct? I have been trying to speak to some post-production facilities about how to go about this, but so far they are acting like they have no idea what I'm talking about. I have also been getting the run-around when I ask for a price quote for telecine services. What is an average cost for this? Also, what does it mean when a place says they charge extra to prep the film for telecine? What does this "prepping" involve?
Thanks for any help.