How To Restore 8mm Film in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
If you have come upon a reel or a spool of 8mm film in Pittsburgh, odds are that, over the years, the film has decayed to some extent due to exposure to oxygen, dirt, chemicals, or liquids. This could make the film impossible to project (due to missing sprocket holes, bends or tears in the film) or difficult to view once it is projected. If you have a sentimental or otherwise important attachment to your film, you may want to investigate local options for restoring film.
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Instructions
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Contact a film restoration specialist via e-mail or telephone. In Pittsburgh, Audio Mastering & Recording Services--located in the South Hills area--will restore film. Alternatively, you can mail your film to out-of-town businesses like Video Conversion Experts or Home Movie Depot and they will restore it and send it back to you. You can find other businesses by searching for "8mm film restoration" on the Internet. Ask to see examples of the restorer's work that demonstrate his expertise in this field. Make sure to get a quote for the work you want done, as prices for this service can vary.
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Transport your film to your chosen restoration specialist. If you choose a local restoration house, you will be able to drive or walk the film to the business. Audio Mastering & Recording Services is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have chosen a specialist outside of the immediate area, you may need to package your film reel and mail it to the company. Make sure to track the package or buy insurance if you value the safety of your film.
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Pick up your film from the specialist in Pittsburgh that you've chosen to use or, if you're using an out-of-town company, wait for it to be shipped back to you. If you can, ask that you receive some evidence that the film restoration has produced noticeable results. If there were specific conditions that you stipulated before you submitted your film to the restoration company (such as scratch removal, or restoring faded color), make sure that work has been done before you surrender payment. Have the film projected in a darkened room, if possible.
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References
- Photo Credit 8mm film tape on white image by Slobodan Djajic from Fotolia.com
