Home Theater Forum http://www.hometheaterforum.com Subject: Live Chat with John Lowry Date: December 16th, 2002 Good Evening, at this time I would like to introduce Mr. John Lowry. Mr. Lowry is the founder and principle of Lowry Digital Images in Burbank, California. Mr. Lowry, you have someone assisting with you this evening? Yes, I have Mike Inchalik with me. Mike is the new President and CEO of Lowry Digital Images. Welcome, Mike Hello all I'm going to open the floor to questions. we know that software your company has dveloped can removed "grain" from film images, but has it been used to match grain from differeing sources, such as say matching a third gen old dupe to a camera original? Yes, in fact that is exactly it's purpose. Our goal is not to create grain free images, but to create images that match the quality of the oritinal film dailes where possible. First, I'd like to give a big "thank you" for the excellent DVD restorations of North By Northwest, Doctor Zhivago, Snow White, Citizen Kane, Singin' In The Rain, and Sunset Blvd. The visual presentation really makes the films more enjoyable... As for my question: Since you have tackled problems with faded Eastmancolor VistaVision, poor quality B&W, 3-strip Technicolor, and even Panavision, are there any plans for much older films such as silents or films of that era for restoration? Thank you for your nice comments. We would love to do some older films. But, our primary clients are Paramount, Warner Brothers, Disney, and MGM- and they are presently most focused on more commercial DVD releases I second Mr. Mcart's comments-terrific work! My question follows Josephs query: The recent Artisan release of HIGH NOON was, in my opinion a disaster. What happened there? I'm afraid we have no direct experience with that release, but we have had the opportunity to look at the original negative of a portion of High Noon. I have seen some 4K images from that source that are terrific. Watching the DVD of Roman Holiday I see quite some noise reduction artifacts. One shot in chapter 9 with Peck phoning Albert is quite bad. His Jacket is all smeared. What happened? Roman Holiday was in rough shape. We measured the grain level at as high as 22% of the picture information (because of many generations of optical dupes and in the use of many "opticals"). There are always some compromises in a process of this kind. And in this case, we believe the compromises resulted in a superior overall result, and far better than could be produced with other methods assuming you are allowed to discuss it, what condition exactly was NxNW in when you worked on it, and what conventional photchemical work was done for it before your technology was used for the master? You're taking me back almost three years here. The transfer was done directly by Warner Bros, and I'm not sure of the exact geneology of the transfer master. In general, it contained a large amount of dirt on the negative, considerable flicker, torn frames, and excessively dirty opticals. It's been rumored that Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, King Kong, and Top Hat are upcoming LDI restorations. What are some problems you're having to cope with for these films? Two of these films we know and love, but are not on our list - yet. But we really cannot discuss the details of projects which have not been released yet. Good evening, gentlemen. You mentioned earlier that one of your clients is MGM... my question: Were you at all responsible for the recently-released THIEF OF BAGDAD ('40) DVD? The transfer was miraculous. Best I've seen it look, ever. In this case no. In some cases the original film is in excellent condition (generally an IP from the original negative). When this is the case, there is less need for our type of cleanup. Can your ULTRA RESOLUTION process work on the b and w protection masters of Eastman Color films? Cinemascope films? Yes, this is a very attractive area. We have a project in house that orignated on YCM separation and is yielding stunning color and fidelity. We think this is the future, and this project may establish the next high water mark. What were some of the most complicated problems you had to deal with for each of the titles already released? We don't have the time to enumerate them all. But every movie we have done has added its share of new and unique problems. Here are a few: *Film deterioration manifests itself in flicker or color breathing, sometimes to the extreme. *Dirt and scratches are a pervasive problem. *The most difficult dirt has been "printed in" over multiple generations. *Jitter and weave is present everywhere. *Nitrate deterioration does terrible things to images..... By comparison, torn frames are easy to fix..... that's a short synopsis How many consecuitve frames are you looking at in your temporal filter It depends on the problem. have any foreign production companies looked into using your company's technology? Yes there have been two, just based on word of mouth Apart from the projects you've already completed and those in which you are involved with now, are there any particular favorite films you'd love to take a whack at? I'd love to see what you could do with Artisan's THE QUIET MAN and Criterion's DEVIL & DANIEL WEBSTER. I'd love to REdo Citizen Kane, now that we can work at 2K resolution, and after two additional years of software development. My personal "pet project" would be "Wizard of Oz" from separations. Of all the restorations you've done, which has been the most challenging, and which are you most proud of? Certainly Sunset Boulevard and Roman Holiday as a pair were the most challenging (we created new 35mm negatives for each, as well as the DVD). Compared to the quality of the original footage, the output for Roman Holiday was amazing. But, we are most proud of the absolute quality of the final resullt from Sunset Boulevard digital technology opens up a new Pandora's Box: have you been tempted to "fix" a special effect flaw in an old film? Like eliminating a traveling Matte fringe or removing a supposedly "invisible' wire or cable? Do you think this should be done? Yes (this should be a client's decision, not ours). Let me tell you a story..... On North by Northwest, when we cleaned up the pictures of the crop duster scene (where it crashes into the truck). There were three wires that were patently obvious (they were relatively invisible in the higher original film grain). Being our first movie, I looked at this and asked myself "What would Alfred say about this?" We removed the wires. They had been invisible before, and were made invisible once again, in this now more discriminating viewing environment. I spoke with our client about this a few months later- and response he said "yes, I noticed the removal.... nice work" It's been noted that Gone With The Wind was done for Region 2, is that correct? If so, are there any plans to release it over here in Region 1? Would it have to be re-restored? Where is region 2? Region 2 is overseas. The DVDs are region coded so that one version cannot be played across continents. Have you heard of any plans to restore GONE WITH THE WIND (actually re-restore)? Our restoration was for the PAL format only. I saw "Gone with the Wind" on TMC some weeks ago. Here is another film that we'd love to take another crack at from the separtions, and at 2K. has your software been used on old videotape footage as well? Yes. We cleaned up movie of the week, which had been shot on film, but edited on tape. Only the tape was available. it's clear in the future, movies will be transfered to HD masters! What will happen to the original photo chemical negatives, say, fifty years from now? Will it be cost effective to maintain them in storage? Oh yes (PLEASE!!!!). Digital formats are constantly changing (in fact we believe most films will be retransfered at 2K in the very near future, and 4K is coming soon). There is nothing that lasts like black and white film (separations), and all you need is a light and a lens to read it. How many kinds of data from the 1970s (only 30 years ago) can still be read today? How do you check the quality of processed 2K material? Monitors? Digital projectors? CRT projectors? Monitors and digital projectors to be sure. In fact there was recently a demonstration of a 4K projector here in Hollywood. Higher resolution tools keep coming Sometime in the future, a high definition media will become the standard. Do you feel the technology of the equipment and techniques you use can keep pace with the trend of ever- improving transfers, or do you feel there is a limit to how good an older film can look? The extent to which the image can be improved is a function of how much "real" information (almost a bad pun there) is hiding in the original. Our technology is format and resolution independant. And we will continue to squeeze out everything possible. Film orginated images will support several additional generations of higher definition viewing. thanks for coming by, to follow up on your mentioning Citizen Kane, what would you like to do to improve it. could that removed rain in the window be returned to the scene? May I please apologize for the lack of certain raindrops in the window. The work on Citizen Kane was done exactly two years ago, and we have made great strides in the interim. Today, removal of one drop of rain, snow, sleet or hail is unacceptable... regardless of incessant requests from the Postmaster General (Just kidding) Ron- at some point- I'd like to turn the tables and ask a question of the forum if you have a way to moderate that.... Sure thing. John, what question would you like to ask? How important IS image quality to the commercial success of a DVD title? Is it just us, or do consumers really care? (Where do you go to determine if a DVD release is going to meet your expectations before you buy it?) I think the videophiles like us care a lot more and to us, a great transfer makes a successful DVD image quality is as important as sound quality to me. Image quality matters! Image and sound quality is EXTREMELY important! It over rides everything else on a DVD for me Image is important to me and other film lovers, but to the actual person..they don't know right from wrong very important to me. proper framing is also very important. Image quality is very important. I meant normal person not actual The standard consumer doesn't know any better I want a dvd to replicate a cherished movie going experience Even a movie like Citizen Kane can seem like a lousy movie if seen via a lousy print or transfer. It's paramount for me, but I'm very picky and not at all like the average customer. It's very important to me, unless it's so rare a film that a low-quality print is the only way we'll ever see it at all. Hope that helps you John Thank you... it seems we're on the right track.... BUT do you buy the movie Do people buy the movie if it has a bad transfer? first and then appraise it, or base your purchase decision on someone else's opinion? Ah, okay. The question is, do you buy the movie first and then appraise it, or base your purchase decision on someone else's opinion? i buy first but take into account what a reveiwer has to say also. I read a lot of reviews and then connect them to how I feel about film technology I wait to see how movie reviews describe the transfer before I purchase. I will take other people's opinions into account but I make the final decision and if the picture is terrible I return the disc I check informed DVD reviews before I buy, and I primarily buy, rather than rent. I wait for reviews. A bad transfer review means no sale I try to go by a company's past track record. Anchor Bay for example, is always trustworthy I usually ignore stuff like "The newsreel segment of Kane looks grainy/scratchy" Its half and half, I'll buy it baised on review or sometimes just based on the work done on it The average consumer is just happy if it is free of nicks, dirt and grain, but the people who will cherish the dvd greatly appreciate your efforts. I will pass if it has abtruly bad transfer I buy only if quality is good according to sources I know they know unless it's a must have and there are no alternatives for years A new restoration or remaster encourages a buy True, many "reviewers" are obviously under 25 We know from direct experience that the studios pay a LOT of attention to letters about quality, and often base future quality decisions (quality costs money) on these interchanges. So, write..... Parker Clack has the next question... What titles are you working on now? (If you can answer this) We cannot discuss much about projects currently in house- the studios need to manage the dissemination of this kind of information, sorry. What's a typical processing time for one 2K frame and is the result in 10bit? We deliver in 8, 10, 12 or 16 bits depending on the client's requirement. Processing time is a function of how many processes are being executed and how much processing power is dedicated to the task.... How much original written documentation do you find before beginning a restoration? This varies from a complete script from the movie... to no documentation whatsoever. Generally we are focused on the images. The studios tend to give good geneologies on each of the elements. You'd be surprised at how much effort they expend to determine the best source elements. What is some of the work you've done for MGM (the current MGM company, I mean, not the MGM films released on DVD thru Warner Bros.)? Thanks much for taking the time to talk with us this evening, it has been quite interesting & informative. Plus a big THANK YOU for all the fine work you've done making so many great films look splendid again. Cheers. Brief Encounter. Sabotage. Plus 6 more in the pipeline to be released. Thanks for the kind words! John, pardon me if this question has been asked already, but what studios besides Paramount and Warner do you also work with on restoring their films and can you name some of those dvd released titles? Sure... Disney, and MGM in the US. Titles include... Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan (a beautiful DVD), Pocahontas, Mary Poppins, Doctor Zhivago. Doctor Zhivago was a wonderful title to work on. Freddy Young's motion photography makes a series of incredible still images. Do any of you remember "Them"? Yup This is the one with the mutant ants in LA sewers.... Outstanding transfer!! THEM was great! A terrific DVD! Great DVD Love it! On behalf of everyone here, I'd like to thank John Lowry and Micheal Inchalik for spending their valuable time with us Thank you all for participating. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say your work is greatly noticed and appreciated Thank you for being here tonight John and Michael. Have a wonderful Holiday Season! I'll let everyone say goodnight... Snow White was fantastic. I thought it was a new film. Keep your eyes open for some truly eye popping titles coming soon! Have a great Holiday! good night! Your efforts are appreciated Thanks for THEM! "Make me a sergeant! Gimme the booze!" good night and thanks Good night, all..... You set a new standard. Keep improving! Good Night Good night, sleep tight! Don't let the giant ants bite! Good Night thanks for your time and your efforts, John Thanks and good night. Cheers.... Session Close: Mon Dec 16 22:30:17 2002 Copyright 2000-2001 Home Theater Forum. Reader may not modify, publish, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale or in any way exploit any of the content of transcript, in whole or in part, without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder.