Chip and Dale 16mm Print Inspection and Repair Photos!

[singhcr]

I finally got my film rewinds and splicing station set up. There is something incredibly fascinating about handling real film. It's a tangible piece of art and history. Not only can I watch a Chip and Dale print from the 1950s, I can hold it in my hands. The real deal. I am very much an analog wolf. I absolutely love this stuff.  

Unfortunately the previous owner didn't take the best care of their projector and the print suffered quite a bit of damage, so I had a lot of work to do.



I am rewinding the film from right to left, allowing it to pass between my fingers as it goes. Any overt damage will be easy to detect by touch like torn perfs or bad splices.



Here is a torn sprocket hole. The perfs are what guide the film through the projector. One or two tears here and there won't make it unplayable, but damage like this should be repaired before it gets any worse. A properly maintained projector won't tear up the film like this. If it is handled properly and run through a clean projector, one can get dozens of viewings out of a print without damage.



This splicer also doubles as an alignment table for making repairs. Here, I am using 16mm Kodak presstapes to replace the torn perfs. These posts allow me to align the perfs (sprocket holes or perforations) of the film with that of the tape. I have pulled off half of the paper backing here, and will press it down with a rod to make sure the tape bonds well to the film. I then flip the film over to the backing side and repeat.



A completed repair. The transparent tape won't noticeably affect the picture or sound as it's only across two frames of the film. Remember, film runs at 24 frames per second!

[Acacia Heartstrings]

I mean, what is a tape restoration job?
Reviewing each frame should be an arduous and difficult task. But in the end it should be worth it. I hope that in the end you can reproduce it without any problem, my friend.  

[Chipster-roo]

It is really interesting to read about this singhcr It's unfortunate that the old owner didn't maintain the equipment very well...at least it's repaired now It must be really important to wear gloves throughout the entire process.

[singhcr]

I am not individually inspecting each frame for scratches and the like, but I can detect damage rather easily with my fingers holding the film by the edge. Damaged frames and tape splices stand out easily and when I feel them I stop winding and look for what my fingers detected. I estimate that I made 20-30 frame repairs on that one short.

When the film is held to the light as it is traveling from reel to reel, it's surprising how quickly one can identify issues. I definitely have to wear gloves not only to prevent dirt and fingerprints from getting on the film but to prevent my hands from being cut up by the edge of the film as I am winding it.

I am glad you enjoyed the photos and learning about the process. I very much enjoy sharing my passions with everyone here, and it makes me a happy wolf to know that you are enjoying and learning things too <3

Also, Acadia, that animation is so darling! I have yet to see all the Chip and Dale shorts as I want to experience them all on film if I can. Although at the rate I am finding these I may have to watch them on YouTube in the meantime despite the poor quality.

[Vesper]

This is very amazing work you're doing in animation dear. Please keep up your wonderful work you do dear and continue on sharing it with us. It's an intriguing process you have to do but you do it with such Passion that it's quite envious at times. *Hugs with loving Nuzzles* Best Wishes, dear Singhcr.

[singhcr]

Thank you, love. *Nuzzles and licks your face*

I must say to everyone here how much your responses mean to me. It has been very hard for me lately as I had to end a long term relationship and got let go from a job that I loved so much six months ago. Both things make me feel very worthless and like nobody cares about me or wants to listen to me. So I get very depressed and it takes a lot of effort to do things that I used to enjoy because it seems like nothing in life matters anymore and some days I wonder if I will ever be employed as an engineer again or fall in love, so why bother getting out of bed? But for a brief few moments I was happy repairing this film, and very happy to see that you all appreciated my passion for such things and enjoyed reading about it. It really makes me want to cry because that sense of worth and acknowledgment I get from people here is very appreciated, especially in times like this when my confidence in myself is quite low. Thank you. I love you all.

[Acacia Heartstrings]

That means you have a lot of experience in restoring old movies. You are almost an expert singhcr. Pieces of art that must be preserved for the future.
And you should probably have all the animated shorts from Chip and Dale, plus Rescue Rangers. Great animated series.
Thanks for sharing, my friend.  

[Rosie Willowwater]

It must take a good amount of patience to restore everything, but I bet it will be so worth it when you are done Great job on all of this! I hope life improves.

[singhcr]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

[Chipster-roo]

I'm sorry about all the problems you have been facing I hope it improves, and you can find another job soon...

[singhcr]

Thank you. I really appreciate that.

[Vesper]

*Hugs Singhcr tightly and kisses his forehead* Dear, Singhcr. I'm sorry not doing as well as you should at the current moment and I hope things will get better for you dear, maybe a better and loving relationship for you, a new job or a career in repairing and restoring films, etc. Push forward dear, You made it this far, right. Why stop when you can indeed go further till your heart's content. Love you  

[singhcr]

Thank you, my dear friend. Your support is most appreciated and helpful. I love you too.

[Vesper]

xDDD *Loving Nuzzles* You're welcome, dear.