Japan Foundation 16mm prints
Stefan Nutz
nuzumaki
Wed Sep 3 03:21:30 EDT 2008
I'd like to add, that it is pretty expensive to transfer from a film-print
to any digital media.
The only cheap way to "archive" the prints is to project them and capture
the images with
a HD-camcorder and the audio with an external microphone.
best regards,
S.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark D. Roberts" <mroberts37 at mail-central.com>
To: <KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 3:48 AM
Subject: Re: Japan Foundation 16mm prints
> Beat,
>
> The best course of action is to speak to the Japan Foundation directly,
> but I would think that there are definitely rights issues.
>
> For example, the two times that I made requests to screen films at their
> archive in Tokyo, they would not even show me the catalogue of their
> films. I had to have my research need vetted by somebody in their
> organization assigned to my home country (e.g., as an American doing
> research in France, it was considered a breach of etiquette for me to
> inquire through a European office), then speak to a spokesperson, then be
> referred to an archivist, and then ask: "Do you have title X by director
> Y from year Z?" and then they would answer yes/no. Apparently, the terms
> of their relationship with the production companies forbids a public
> catalogue of their holdings. All inquires must be vetted.
>
> Moreover, my impression was that they had no real budget or staffing for
> any of this. While everybody at the Tokyo office was helpful, it did not
> seem to be part of their charter to do much beyond the public screenings
> as they exist now. I'd be surprised if they had resources to transfer
> their holdings to DVD. As for inaction on the part of the Japanese
> government, that would not surprise me at all. I wouldn't say "renounce"
> because that ascribes intention where there is seemingly none. I gather
> the rationale for this arrangement is that the production companies see
> the films as their intellectual property, and that at some future date
> they may release them on DVD themselves (though most likely without any
> subtitles). They have thus legally tied the hands of the Japan
> Foundation.
>
> Others more knowledgeable than I may jump in to correct this, and you
> should of course talk to the Japan Foundation, but there is evidently
> some conflict of interest between the production companies' policies and
> aims of those interested in promoting film heritage. I would think,
> though, that given the cost of shipping 16 and 35mm prints around, it
> might be possible to make a business case for DVDs, which are much
> cheaper to send overseas. Of course, the production companies might
> resist out of fear that "some foreigners" could pirate and torrent the
> DVDs, etc., but the prints are all pretty old.
>
> M
>
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