Formats supported:
How the process works:
- VHS
- Slides
- Album prints and negatives
- Mini DV
- Video 8/Hi 8
- Cine film
- All memory cards
How the process works:
- For best results, we recommend an equal share of video and photos in screen time. However, if video is unavailable, still images can be used to make a film. In a 12 minute film, this would equate to approximately 150 photos. See below - Can a film be made with still images only?
- Images and videos are converted to a digital format. This is includes scanning, improving resolution and quality where possible, and is done in real time when converting video tape.
- Converted images are sent to a photo library (on a computer).
- Images, videos and clips are exported from the library to the video editing program.
- In the program, we open the TIMELINE - the part where the movie is created. This is done by adding and arranging the images, cutting the clips and starting the creative process. Each clip in the timeline is represented by a thumbnail image or series of thumbnails. See image below.
- At this stage the film is edited, music and effects are added, including the transitions - fading in or out, dissolving into another clip or image. See examples of transitions on the portfolio page.
- We send you a rough cut to review and make any amendments. The rough cut is the first stage in film-making when the film begins to resemble its final product.
- The film can then be made into a format of the customer's choice - DVD, memory stick, YouTube film, etc.
- Customers also have the option of downloading the completed project from a file sharing service called Dropbox. It is impossible to send large video files by email, hence the need for a file hosting service like Dropbox. The customer does not need a Dropbox account, we simply email a link to view the film on our own Dropbox account. This is also how we send the rough cut for approval before the final film is completed.
Price:
There are three price options - see PRICE page for details. Please be aware that the process is time-consuming and is not an automated task. Alternatively, contact us for a custom quote - some customers give us shoeboxes full of photos, hours of footage to trawl through and hand over editorial control entirely. In this case, the price can be up to 50% higher due to the extra time involved. Contact us with a brief outline of your project for an accurate quote. If you simply require straightforward, unedited digital transfer (VHS to DVD for example), see details on the price page.
Can a film be made from still images only?
Yes. Photographs can be brought to life by using a technique called the Ken Burns Effect, a software editing tool which zooms in and out and pans from one subject to another. For example, in a photo of a cricket team, the camera slowly pans across the faces of the players and comes to rest on the subject of the story. The technique is used when film or video is unavailable. The zooming and segueing across an image gives the feeling of motion, keeps the viewer visually engaged and can be used as a transition between clips. Adding music to the images compensates for the lack of dialogue and makes the film more than the sum of its parts. See examples of this effect on the portfolio page.
There are three price options - see PRICE page for details. Please be aware that the process is time-consuming and is not an automated task. Alternatively, contact us for a custom quote - some customers give us shoeboxes full of photos, hours of footage to trawl through and hand over editorial control entirely. In this case, the price can be up to 50% higher due to the extra time involved. Contact us with a brief outline of your project for an accurate quote. If you simply require straightforward, unedited digital transfer (VHS to DVD for example), see details on the price page.
Can a film be made from still images only?
Yes. Photographs can be brought to life by using a technique called the Ken Burns Effect, a software editing tool which zooms in and out and pans from one subject to another. For example, in a photo of a cricket team, the camera slowly pans across the faces of the players and comes to rest on the subject of the story. The technique is used when film or video is unavailable. The zooming and segueing across an image gives the feeling of motion, keeps the viewer visually engaged and can be used as a transition between clips. Adding music to the images compensates for the lack of dialogue and makes the film more than the sum of its parts. See examples of this effect on the portfolio page.
How do you take collection of my photos and videos?
We can collect in person if you live in the Sheffield area. For postal customers we suggest using Royal Mail Guaranteed Special Delivery Service to send items to us.
Music:
Acquiring the rights to music is expensive. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA) is the legislation in the UK that allows the songwriter and publisher to charge anyone who wishes to copy, perform or record their work for any commercial or non-commercial use. Even wedding photographers and video producers have been sued for using music for which they had not acquired the proper license. Therefore, we use a music library called Filmstro Pro which stocks high-quality, royalty-free music and is the best option to tackle the complexities of music licensing. The music is of an extremely high standard and shouldn't be confused with Muzak, lift or background music. Filmstro Pro is a subscription-only music publishing library that enables filmmakers to adapt and recompose professional soundtracks to suit any project. See reviews of Filmstro Pro on the Portfolio page. https://filmstro.com/how-it-works
How long does the process take?
We usually say 10-14 days but in circumstances where time is limited - a memorial service film for example - we will prioritise your project. Contact us for details.
Why choose Flashback Films?
Most digital transfer services simply update entire contents of old media for a flat fee. They hit the START CONVERSION button, the technology kicks in and everything on the format is transferred. However, the uncomfortable truth is that most of the footage on our home videos is often dire and monotonous, usually as the result of the video camera being a brand new novelty at the time. It's amazing how we thought that a shaky 15 minutes of a seagull on a beach in 1986 was ever worth preserving. Frequently to a soundtrack of howling wind, or our own breathing. Which is why we feel it is better to preserve and celebrate the genuine precious memories - update the best bits, not the seagulls. It was this epiphany and realisation that led to us setting up Flashback Films. And even if the best bits are blighted by poor camera-work or sound issues, we can edit-out background noise, add image stabilisation and improve picture quality.
We can collect in person if you live in the Sheffield area. For postal customers we suggest using Royal Mail Guaranteed Special Delivery Service to send items to us.
Music:
Acquiring the rights to music is expensive. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA) is the legislation in the UK that allows the songwriter and publisher to charge anyone who wishes to copy, perform or record their work for any commercial or non-commercial use. Even wedding photographers and video producers have been sued for using music for which they had not acquired the proper license. Therefore, we use a music library called Filmstro Pro which stocks high-quality, royalty-free music and is the best option to tackle the complexities of music licensing. The music is of an extremely high standard and shouldn't be confused with Muzak, lift or background music. Filmstro Pro is a subscription-only music publishing library that enables filmmakers to adapt and recompose professional soundtracks to suit any project. See reviews of Filmstro Pro on the Portfolio page. https://filmstro.com/how-it-works
How long does the process take?
We usually say 10-14 days but in circumstances where time is limited - a memorial service film for example - we will prioritise your project. Contact us for details.
Why choose Flashback Films?
Most digital transfer services simply update entire contents of old media for a flat fee. They hit the START CONVERSION button, the technology kicks in and everything on the format is transferred. However, the uncomfortable truth is that most of the footage on our home videos is often dire and monotonous, usually as the result of the video camera being a brand new novelty at the time. It's amazing how we thought that a shaky 15 minutes of a seagull on a beach in 1986 was ever worth preserving. Frequently to a soundtrack of howling wind, or our own breathing. Which is why we feel it is better to preserve and celebrate the genuine precious memories - update the best bits, not the seagulls. It was this epiphany and realisation that led to us setting up Flashback Films. And even if the best bits are blighted by poor camera-work or sound issues, we can edit-out background noise, add image stabilisation and improve picture quality.
