Outdated and Expired Movie Film Processing

At Film Rescue, we process vintage film in the manner most likely to give us the best results. In many cases, this means that we are processing color positive film into a black and white negative which is then converted to a viewable B&W positive as an AVI, MOV or DVD. This conversion to video allows us further options to improve the condition of the images on the film.

With the exception of Kodachrome type film (which can only be processed into black and white), we do have the ability to run color films in color processes. However, this often is highly inadvisable as you risk losing any kind of image at all or having a much lower quality image than would in B&W.

Our FAQ lists what you might expect from your film and how we will process it unless otherwise specifically requested in the “Additional Information/Instructions” area of our order form.

Please Note: Films processed into black and white negative will not project properly i.e. what is light will be dark and what is dark will be light. This is corrected during transfer to AVI, MOV or DVD as a positive image. Keep in mind that the film that we processes is generally long past it’s “process before” date. We do the very best job we are able to. Results range from good to extremely poor to no image at all.

Turn Around Time

Film is processed in regular six week cycles. Film for the next cycle must be in our hands before the beginning of the cycle. The next cycle starts on the following date:

March 8th

 

Motion film for processing received by this date should be shipped in approximately 6-8 weeks. Rush processing is available upon request.

Please don’t wait until near the beginning of a cycle to send your film.  This greatly slows down our administrative process at the start of each cycle delaying work for everyone.  When we can we prioritize work that arrives to us early.

 

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Process with Transfer to Digital Video

	DVD	SD .MOV	SD AVI	HD .MOV	HD .AVI
8mm 25′ or 50′ or 16mm 50′ Magazine1	48.00	48.00	48.00	52.00	56.50
16mm Roll (Ektachrome Only) — charge per foot min. 100′	1.29	1.29	1.29	1.31	1.33
16mm Roll (All Except Ektachrome) — charge per foot min. 100′	0.65	0.65	0.65	0.66	0.67
Digital files may require a hard drive.2

1. EM-25 Ektachrome 160 Movie Film color processing is at an additional charge of $14.
2. A general rule of thumb is if you have more than 100′ of film to transfer to HD or 200′ of film to transfer to SD, you will need an external hard drive or USB flash drive. If you have less than this, the files can be provided to you on spanned data DVDs. To determine how big of a drive you will need please refer to this chart.

Processing Along with Other Previously Developed Films to Transfer

8mm 25′ or 50′ OR 16mm magazines (metal rectangular cartridge)

25.00

Previously developed film that will be transferred must meet or exceed the length of the film to be developed to be eligible for these discounted prices. Once the undeveloped film is processed it is added to the previously developed film and the normal transfer charge will apply.  This is in most cases is a savings of 7 dollars per roll.

Process Only

8mm 25′ or 50′ OR 16mm 50′magazines (metal rectangular cartridge)	34.00
16mm Roll (Ektachrome Only) — charge per foot, 100 foot minimum	1.10
16mm Roll (All Except Ektachrome) — charge per foot, 100 foot minimum	0.55

Additional DVD Copies

Per Disc

10.00

Volume Discounts

6 – 10 8mm Rolls, Cassettes/16mm Magazines OR 600′ – 1200′ of 16mm Rolls	10%
11 – 15 8mm Rolls, Cassettes/16mm Magazines OR 1300′ – 1900′ of 16mm Rolls	15%
16 – 20 8mm Rolls, Cassettes/16mm Magazines OR 2000′ or more of 16mm Rolls	20%

Shipping

Within USA or Canada	10.00
Overseas shipping (outside USA and Canada)	15.00

 

Policies and Exceptions

1. Shipping charges may be higher for exceptionally heavy or large orders, customer will be contacted beforehand.
2. If you’d like your metal cans or cartridges to be returned, please request this on your order form under ‘Additional Information’. We do our best to return your original spools but that is not guaranteed.  In this case an identical spool or cartridge would be returned.
3. If we are able to make out anything at all on your film, regardless of length or quality, it will be transferred and the usual price charged. We do not want to be put in the position of making a judgement on what will or will not be of value to a person and it is often difficult to tell what the quality will be until we actually transfer the film to digital video.
4. If we are unable to salvage any kind of image at all from your 8mm film (any format) or 16mm magazine format film, there is a charge of $25 or per 50′ roll, less the volume discount if applicable.
5. If we are unable to salvage any kind of image at all from your 16mm roll format film you will be charged the usual “process only” price, less volume discount if applicable.
6. Backup copies of all Home Player Compatible DVD transfers are kept at Film Rescue for at least one year. If you select to have your film transferred to a digital file, it’s kept for a period of 3 months (due to file size) so we can ensure you’ve received it. You may request security shipping to have your film sent separate from the video (additional charge).
7. Due to the likelihood of breakage in the processor we will no longer process shrunken or extremely damaged film. If your film smells rancid, appears puckered or the film can is rusted shut, we will not risk developing it. Film will be returned at customer’s expense.
8. Most Moviechrome films (Agfa, Ansco, Boots) will have residual carbon backing which, due to age, has become difficult to remove during processing and these films require rewashing. There is a $10.00 surcharge on each Moviechrome film if this additional step is required We don’t always have to rewash. We will only charge if a rewash is required.