Low-cost scanning for home movies

Our scanning is cut-price. It’s a service designed for people who have home movies from long ago that they would like to see again. The quality is very good for average viewing and for keeping the memories alive. If you need best-quality professional scanning, check out Memorylab.

Cinematography

What is film cinematography? It’s like video production but using film cameras. Footage filmed by Jon O’Brien is professionally scanned by Memorylab. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know if we can help. Film is arty and cool.

Cinematography FAQ

Your image acquistion is on photographic film, not video?

Yes, I’m a traditional photographic cinematographer.

There are still working cameras, and film, and all that?

Yes.

Are you a pro?

I guess I must be. My footage is professional, and my business is professional.

How did you learn film cinematography?

Mostly self-taught, but I did go to film school.

How long have you been shooting on film?

I bought my own Super 8 camera at 13. I worked in the school holidays to afford it. I’m older now :)

What sort of films do you make?

Fairly low on dialogue, mainly visually told. I prefer inexperienced actors. I do the directing.

Are you a one man band?

Pretty much. I had to learn every single skill involved in filmmaking.

What general stories for films do you like?

I like period-era films. But open to lots of genres.

What’s the longest duration short film you ever made?

30 mins, shot on film, with four actors. I wrote the script.

Do you do music videos, online ads, etc?

Yes I can film these.

I only need a brief sequence shot on film. Can you do that?

Yes, I can. The briefer the project, the lower the cost.

Is film expensive?

It’s not too bad compared to a lot of videography.

What film formats have you filmed on?

Super 16, 16mm, and Super 8. I’m soon to film on 2 perf 35mm.

What should film shooters do about the new possibilities of AI in cinematography?

In the credits: “The imagery in this film is our own work and was acquired 100% photochemically. No generative AI was used.”

What about using AI for simple vfx shots, using your own original picture elements?

If all your own imagery, it’s fine. In the credits: “Vfx shots composited by AI using our own original image elements.”

What is special about film?

Film is 100% handmade. It’s real. It’s physical. Real dyes, in a real physical base, almost like a painting.

If you scan movie film, it becomes a video doesn’t it, so shouldn’t it also be called a video?

If it was shot on film, it’s a film. Blu-rays/4Ks of famous old movies are simply scanned film. They are films, not videos.

What got you interested specifically in celluloid film?

Buderim Movie Museum, Film at Nambour High, cinematography at film school, and my favourite movies are shot on film.

Had anything to do with Panavision?

I learned to film load for the Milennium XL2 35mm camera there.

Is there much work in real film in Australia?

No, but then again there are too many videographers around. I figured I may as well do film.

You do this on the side?

Yes. I don’t rule out getting more involved … if film ever takes off in Queensland, that is.

Are film cameras in great condition hard to find?

They were cheap and easy to get 12 years ago. Most people gave up on film.

What are six movies that inspire you?

Ryan’s Daughter, The Man from Snowy River, Psycho, Bad Day at Black Rock, Casablanca, Gladiator (and many others).

What motivates you?

Art and entertainment. I feel that traditional cinema is both entertainment and art.

Can you record sound?

Yes. I use a MixPre-3 II, and Rode and Deity mics.

Why is film good?

It has more soul. Digital is perfect but it lacks something cinematically important.