Notes from 2009

RACC awards two grants to Empty Quarter

The other night, I returned to the apartment from a long day of work to find a rain soaked envelope sitting at the front door. I could see the envelope had a RACC logo, and judging from its size I could tell it was not a rejection letter. The contents of the envelope indicated that Empty Quarter had been given two awards, which will help tremendously in the completion of the film. We had basically shelved the project until funds could be secured, so this was pleasant surprise, especially after wondering if we could manage to finish the project within the next 1-2 years. I immediately sat in front of my calendar and began to look at dates for a 10 day shoot in late winter, early spring. So, we'll be returning to Ontario, Vale, Burns, and points beyond to resume shooting and then wrap production of this long-term project. We are grateful to the panelist who could see the value in our project, and granted the much need resources to help bring us to completion.

December 19, 2009  –  permalink

Returning to stills

About a month ago I purchased a Leica M2 after a long deliberation over 6x7 or 35mm. In the end, I decided on 35mm for it's portability, and the M2 because of it's bright focus patch (amongst other attributes). It's been a number of years since I've done any still photography. I was beginning to miss the process. I think moving to a different location in the city may have helped stimulate my desire to resume recording and surveying. Still looking for a fast 35mm lens, but hope to have something in the next month or two at which point I have a survey project in mind.

December 01, 2009  –  permalink

Looking at Super 16 zooms

I've been in Seattle the last four days watching the films of Lisandro Alonso at the Northwest Film Forum. During my stay, I managed to meet up with Charlie at his shop to look at some Super 16 zooms. Charlie recently had a stroke, and though he's dealing with some pretty serious physical impairment right now, he's still sharp as a tack. He carried on as he normally would, talking in full technical detail about lens mechanics, different types of lubricants used in lenses, and which lenses use metal or plastic internal parts. I always learn something when I visit Charlie's shop, and I wish him a full recovery. He certainly seems to be well on his way. I'm most interested in the Canon 8-64, and Charlie has one in Aaton mount. Though I rarely shoot with something as wide as an 8mm, the 8-64 has the most usable range, and remains one of the fastest Super 16 zooms at T2.4. The idea is to sell my current set of primes and move over to a zoom as my primary lens. I'm still making my decision, but the 8-64 would make some aspects of shooting much easier.

November 14, 2009  –  permalink

Steenbeck service complete (almost)

Paul's visit is over, and now our 1201 and 1901 are running better than ever. It is the most thorough and careful work I've seen on Steenbecks. Paul's been at it since 1973, and his attention to detail really shows. Critical bearing assemblies in the 1201 were replaced or quieted, and the machine is now humming along. The 1901 is dialed in for picture and sound, the sound reproduction is rather astounding. Needless to say, I'm ready to get back to work. Unfortunately, one of the tasks we'd hope to complete was the revival of one of the four ST-1 machines in my possession. After four hours of trouble shooting, and too many variables to effectively trace the electrical problem we gave in. So, it's back to the MTM R-106-U or Magnasync 3000. I'm not happy about this, but I've started talking with Warren and will see if there's a solution in store.

October 30, 2009  –  permalink

ISCO lens work by IRF Machine Works

Walt finished turning back my ISCO lens months ago, but I finally retrieved the lens yesterday. It's been a year since first starting to pursue this modification. I tested the lens on the projector last night, and it looked fantastic. I'd been using a stock 1950s Eastman lens, and was shocked to see (with the ISCO) grain to focus on. Walt did a nice job on the lens, very clean work, and I'm happy with the results. I will likely have him do another lens for a second projector. While I wish the lens was slightly wider, it is very fast at f1.3 and will make for a nice, bright image.

October 21, 2009  –  permalink

Looking for partner in Aaton XTR camera package

Several years ago, I purchased an Aaton XTR (manufactured in 1989), and have since had the camera and two mags overhauled, added a third magazine, and bought a few spare parts. I shoot with the camera about 3-5 times a year, plus occasional stock testing. Although I'm not in desperate need to secure another owner, I do like the idea of the camera getting more use, and sitting around less often. It's certainly better for the camera to spend more time in operation. The camera package includes: camera body (with upgraded XTRplus eyepiece), three mags, extension eyepiece, four batteries, two chargers, Petroff matte box and some filters, hand grip, and spare parts. I also have three prime lenses that cover super 16. I'm looking for someone living in Portland who is serious about shooting 16mm and/or super 16 (for commercial and non-commercial projects) to become part owner in the camera package. If you're interested, contact me and we can discuss the terms of ownership.

September 02, 2009  –  permalink

Paul Tomasko set to arrive in October

The long awaited visit form service tech Paul Tomasko will take place late-October. Paul will be hitting our studio to work on three machines, another Portland maker's 1901, and then down to San Francisco to work on another 1901. Eager to get Paul out here, so that Pam and I can get back to work on projects. We'll attempt to get a single ST-1 recorder working, needs bad cap replaced and new fuses. The MTM machine is next on the list for service. With the ability to record in 16 and 35 it's a real gem, but speed regulation is still an issue.

August 25, 2009  –  permalink

RACC awards grant to 16mm Directory

Last month we received news that 16mm Directory would be awarded grant funds from the RACC. 40 Frames appreciates the generous support of RACC, as the project had stalled somewhat due to lack of funds, and lack of free time from our web developer and designer. By December, we'll have the site up and running, with a focus on resources for 16mm exhibition. We hope the Directory will help to alleviate some of the redundancies seen in online forums, and the chaos resulting from general search queries on the web. Many individuals and organizations have provided information that will go in to 16mm Directory, and we'd like to thank them for contributing to the knowledge base of the project. We hope this resource will make distribution and exhibition a little easier for those new to filmmaking as well as long time makers.

July 25, 2009  –  permalink

New space coming together

We're slowly making order out of chaos in the studio. At Oak Street, I could tell we had a lot of stuff, however the size of the space made the amount of stuff appear manageable. We still have a number of items to sell, and will wait for the Directory to be up an running before listing them. In the meantime, I've continued planning with Paul and it looks like a Steenbeck service call is scheduled for mid-September. I'll do some above the deck work, and leave the remainder for Paul's visit. Also, I pulled the Eastman 275 out of the crates this weekend. It appears to be in fairly good shape, though you can tell it was sitting for 10 years in a garage. Apparently, the previous owner, who worked at a television station, saved it from getting dumped in the trash, and had it stored in his garage until I came along. So, lots to do this summer, but at least I can see the studio floor again.

July 20, 2009  –  permalink

Moving to new studio space

As of today, we have a new studio space at Cathedral Park Place in St Johns. It's a good space for editorial and projection work, as it has no windows, and goes completely black when the lights are turned off. Big thanks to Ken and David for supporting our work and making this space available to 40 Frames. We still have a fair amount of sorting, viewing, and cataloging a recent donation, so our work will be cut out for us this summer. There is no real address for the space, so we'll either use a PO Box, or have it sent to the apartment. More on that later. For now, it's a matter of moving tonnage of equipment to the new space.

June 24, 2009  –  permalink

KEM sold

The KEM has sold to a local maker. The buyer, myself, and three of his friends moved the KEM, a Magnasync 2200 recorder, and a bunch of spare parts to a second floor apartment on SE 60th. Getting out of the studio with the wheels on the KEM and concrete floors, and freight elevator down to the loading dock, was easy. Getting the machine up a flight of stairs was not so easy. It reminded me of the time when Pam and I went to San Francisco to move a Steenbeck out of a flat on Bernal Heights. The flat was located near the top of a very steep hill, which made it impossible to back our large van into the drive way, so we were forced to park at the bottom of the hill. Once inside the flat, The machine had to go down a flight of stairs that were a special Italian marble, and the owner was very explicit about not leaving any marks on the stairs when moving the machine. Luckily, we had a budget to hire three movers to get it down the stairs and into the van we were driving.

June 21, 2009  –  permalink

KEM still on the market

Several local filmmakers have stopped by to look at the KEM, one a native, another a recent transplant. I'm actually a little surprised to see a sustained interest (even if marginal) for cutting 16mm. Of course, I'm delighted to see such interests percolating. A few out-of-towners have called or emailed asking about the KEM, but I'll wait. I would prefer to sell the machine to a local maker. I hate to let go of the machine, but having three flatbeds is a little absurd, not to mention they're space hogs. Still working with Paul to see when he can visit Portland for a bit of service on the Steenbecks. Hopefully, June will work for his schedule, though he was suggesting August.

May 06, 2009  –  permalink

Staying at Neal Creek

Paul and Amy graciously allowed us to stay at their Neal Creek retreat for the weekend. We were excited to see the place, as no amount of measuring and taping the floor in our work studio could give us a true sense of the room volume and proportions that have been under consideration. We needed to see an example of the real thing. Standing in the Neal Creek house allowed us to observe possible window and door sizes, options for the kitchen bar, bathroom proportions, as well as good scale for bedrooms and hallways. Paul and Amy have created a truly enjoyable space, a house which adds to ones sense of well-being. The surrounding lot and adjacent creek further reinforce the sense of tranquility. The first day was sunny with a slight breeze, yesterday was a bit over cast, and today has been rainy. Each day has brought with it the subtle play of light in the house interior and exterior. It's exactly the kind of variation in weather one could hope for in observing the character of a house. In the end, the stay has served two invaluable purposes (1) the opportunity to see a real example of what we hope to build in North Portland, and (2) a chance to get a bit of respite from the urban craziness that has come to define much of our lives.

April 12, 2009  –  permalink

Steenbeck ST-1 has landed

Today, a donation from Visual Products arrived. The donation comprised four Steenbeck ST-1 magnetic recorders. They are odd, mostly European machines. The Steenbeck service people I know in the states had never heard of the ST-1. Only Steenbeck (now in Holland) was able to provide information on these machines. According to Steenbeck, they are comparable to a Sondor or MWA mag recorder, both being high quality recorders in the European market. When Paul is here in May we'll work to dial in the machines. I'm curious to see how well they perform. They're certainly more practical in their design than a Magnasync, Multi-Track Magnetics, or Magna-Tech machine, so my fingers are crossed in hopes that the ST-1 will perform to high standards.

March 17, 2009  –  permalink

North Portland Secret Cinema

Last weekend I went to visit Dick, a local collector and ex-union projectionist who lives in North Portland. Dick was very welcoming despite having met for the first time. He presented me with his 35mm projection booth, and screened for me the first reel of The Hunt for Red October. It was hard to believe the horns and bass wolfers were driven by 30W amplifiers. Such efficiency caused me to reconsider our current sound reinforcement. It might be interesting to build something a little more custom, other than using an active speaker built more for DJs than cinema.

March 10, 2009  –  permalink

Steenbeck service call

I'm talking with Paul Tomasko about coming out from New York to do some service work on the 1201 and 1901. Paul is a good guy, and has always been forthcoming with information, and sells parts for very reasonable prices. I've been so busy with my job as of late, that I have little time/energy to do service and repair projects. Besides, I think I'd rather use what little time I seem to have available to cut. Anyway, I'm lining up other service calls between Portland-Seattle-Vancouver BC, so if you have a need for service for your Steenbeck, let me know. Paul may also consider going down to the Bay Area if there are people in need. I'm thinking about having Paul install one of his super 16 kits on the 1201, but still undecided as I'm not currently working on any projects in the super format.

February 27, 2009  –  permalink

History of cinemas in Portland

I finally called a local collector I've been meaning to talk to for the last 3-4 years. The conversation was interesting, only wish I'd made contact sooner. The whole history was there in our conversation, from the 1930s on. Old names of theaters, the union days, Hortson projectors, other collectors in town, as well as little known models of Elmo and Jan portable projectors. James had told me about this fellow during my visit last year, and even then I thought to myself "it's time to give this fellow a call". But the rapid passing of days, weeks, months, and years plagues more than myself. Final word of note was the mention of a book two local collectors are working on. It was the first I'd heard of it, though I wasn't surprised to hear of who's involved.

January 20, 2009  –  permalink