Film to Video

Subtitled “Tips, Tricks & Secrets,” Film to Video, hosted by David Welch, guides viewers through the art of transferring film footage (mostly consumer-type regular 8mm and Super 8mm) to analog and digital video formats. The first tip is to find the original projectors capable of playing back the source film: at flea markets, garage sales, eBay, etc.). The tech rundown continues with a discussion of frame rate (film runs at 18 or 24 frames per second--compared to the video standard of 30 frames per second) and how to remove the annoying strobe effect or “flicker.” Also covered are splicing techniques for old, brittle film; setup guidelines for projecting the film and capturing it on a video device, the intricacies of shutter speed, adding titling, and a brief look at transferring the footage to the digital realm so it can be edited on a computer. While definitely a low-budget production (and rather on the pricey side for a “how-to”), this is also chockfull of information that will save tech-minded consumers some serious bucks. Recommended. [Note: also newly available are Your Music to CD and Your Videos to CD.] Aud: H, P. (C. Block)