Hi,
I am going to shoot a feature length film in NYC, using B&W Reversal film. Now I understand most of the problems of shooting reversal, being a one-print positive, the high contrast and the small margin for error, and I'm going to go ahead with it anyway. Any advice if I should under-expose or over-expose the whole time shooting, if in the the end I have to possibly make a negative from the positive of the reversal film, then back to a positive for the final print. I understand that the film will look harsh and grainy, but I beleive it stills has a chance for quality if I prepare for it. Any other advice on preparing for it, other than shooting tests, which I will be doing soon. I would also like to mention that I am not using any artificial lights. I hope someone has some input for me.
Thank You,
Justin
Call Rochester and talk with customer service. You would not believe how helpful Kodak (assuming you're using Kodak) is, even to small filmmakers. Their philosophy seems to be that you never know where the next Big Thing is coming from. In 10 years you might be responsible for ordering a million feet of film (assuming we're still using film). Same goes for the lab you will use. Talk to them, find out their input, get the cheaper processing rates, and see if they'll help you out by doing a test all the way to release print. These guys have seen more mistakes than any of us on this website are ever liable to make (and that's saying something). Get these reps behind you, and on day one of filming, you'll know exactly what your film is going to do.
"On a good gate, that's a wrap."
