Message for Ashley

Ashley, did you read my request for some help?

Cheers,
Neilly

“(Sorry! Wish there was a way we could tell if our inboxes are full BEFORE someone tries to send us a message…Is there a way, anyone?)”

Doesn’t look like it Ashely,I’ve been having the same probs meself.

Done 🙂 (Sorry! Wish there was a way we could tell if our inboxes are full BEFORE someone tries to send us a message…Is there a way, anyone?)

Your welcome Mark. I would agree there, safety. Also just re-read one of your earlier posts and notice its 16mm. Unfortunately our 16mm projector is u/s and in need of re-wiring at the moment, so i’m not in a position to help there 🙁 . 35mm or digital wouldn’t be a problem.

I have unwound to the first few frames of ‘Unrest in the Dominican Republic’ – a 1950s Chevrolet and it is still on the same stock, so it looks like we are in the clear.

Thanks for your advice.

Mark

Slightly!.. That just tells us what the leader is produced/printed on. Looking promising that it is Safety. Unwind a little further until you get to picture stock and look again. It would be MOST unlikely (and very bad practice!) that nitrate stock would follow a safety film leader.

Nick

The film stock leader reads as follows

Geveart Belgium 2S…………..(in black)

B121 Dupont Safety L……….(in white)

Does this clarify it?

Mark

Check to see if you find the words ‘Safety Film’, or multiple ‘S’s. Nitrate stock should also have ‘nitrate’ printed just outside of the perforations on the edge of the stock. If they’re there you are ok, its not nitrate. Nitrate film degrades with age and becomes unstable as it does so. Ashleys comment on flammability is a slight understatement, its highly explosive when in quantity and a confined space.
I think nitrate film was last produced in the late ’50s, but don’t quote me on that.

As a last resort you could always clip ONE frame, take it outside and put a match to it. If it ‘fizzes’ and burns rapidly then its nitrate, if it goes out or burns VERY slowly or just melts its acetate or safety. Acetate also goes brittle with age.

If it is safety film they PM me and be prepared for a drive upto Cambridgeshire. I will happily run it for you in our cinema.

Excuse me for butting in, but how do you tell if it’s nitrate? Would it be written on the edge, like markings on modern 35mm film? Or does it feel/look different to acetate?

Mark…if the film is made from nitrate stock I would advise that you store it in a cool place e.g. garage until you can bring it to the Museum as nitrate film is highly flammable…acetate is much safer although it does deteriorate quicker than nitrate film does, hence a move towards polyester film stock in recent years (hope this makes sense, I’m typing in a hurry, just wanted to answer your question before my meeting!)

Becka

Thanks Becka.

All I can say about the film is that it is in a can and I can see no obvious deteriation. It is b/w 16mm sound.

Is there a possible H & S issue?

Mark

Mark12…I will see what I can do (I will get back to you asap)

Becka

P.S. Do you know what type of film it is? I presume acetate?