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Help - Film cans for trailers (1 Viewer)

GaryEA

Second Unit
Joined
Mar 2, 2001
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454
(If this is the part of the forum for this question, I apologize.)
I have four 35mm trailers; the first two for the 1989 Batman film, Father of the Bride and Bride Part II. I'm hoping to get them transferred to VHS or disc someday, but in the meantime, they're stacked on a shelf.
Can anybody recommend a place where can I buy film cans to store them, preferably individually? I asked the manager of my local theater and she said everything gets returned to the studio and she didn't know where to get one, let alone four.
I'm afraid that sitting on a shelf is going to wreck them.
Thanks in advance!
-gary
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Jesse Skeen

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 24, 1999
Messages
5,087
I've got literally hundreds of 35mm trailers stacked up in boxes in my closet- I have one of almost every trailer put out since late 1992. Sadly I may be getting out of the theater business soon but until then I'll keep saving one of each- I send the rest of them back to the studios since they provide postage-paid mailing labels; these are usually recycled. As long as you can keep them in a decent climate (not freezing or super-hot) and don't get them wet or dirty they should be fine.
Copyright laws still apply for these, so you may not have much luck getting them transferred to tape unless you can get your hands on the equipment to do it yourself.
 

Bob Movies

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Oct 15, 2000
Messages
200
You can get as many 35mm film cans as you want, for free, by going to a motion picture film lab (such as Deluxe). They have multiple can sizes, and they usually end up throwing them out. They give them away to cinematographers.
Just walk in the front door and ask for some film cans. I guarantee they'll give them to you with no trouble. They won't ask you for a union card or anything like that!
Look under "motion picture processing" in the yellow pages. Deluxe is a big name, but there are many other small places that do 35mm processing.
Hope this helps,
~Bob
 

GaryEA

Second Unit
Joined
Mar 2, 2001
Messages
454
Jesse - Man, that's a lot of trailers! I'd love to have a collection like that. :)
The trailers I have are in pretty good shape. The edges are have been attacked by dust for the most part. When theaters get trailers, do they come on reels as well as in cans? Maybe I should invest in reels as well. I'd like to just get four 35mm trailer size reels and cans.
You're right about the copyright issue. I may never get to have these transferred, but I'll try regardless. I'm dying to see the first Batman trailers again.
Bob - Great idea. I completely forgot the days of film school where we would head to Gufanti's(sp) to get our 16mm developed and they had stacks of can in the lobby with a sign saying "Take Me!".
Looks like I'm going to take a day trip! Thanks!
-g
 

Scott H

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 9, 2000
Messages
693
What Bob said...
Production assistants make runs to labs every day to pick up cans, cores, and bags for the camera assistants. Some labs, like FotoKem, actually keep them all outside and accessible 24/7. For 35 you would find 400' and 1000' cans.
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Leo Kerr

Screenwriter
Joined
May 10, 1999
Messages
1,698
In my experience, trailers come either on a smallish core (about 2" diameter) or I suppose you could call it a mini-core - a tiny bit larger than three quarters of an inch.
Leo Kerr
[email protected]
 

Matt Butler

Screenwriter
Joined
Jun 23, 2001
Messages
1,912
Real Name
Matt Butler
I have one trailer that I have sealed in a ziploc baggie so it wont collect dust. I would like to findout how you get them. A friend gave the one to me years ago.
 

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