2805 W. Magnolia Blvd.,
Burbank, CA 91505
818-848-5522 (tel)
818-848-5956 (fax)
info@pro8mm.com

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm.
We are closed on weekends. We can accommodate a weekend opening if requested for a $1,000 charge and a minimum of 4 hours of transfer time. Our online store is always open!

We have an after hours slot in our front door for those who wish to drop film off at night or on weekends.

We do not advise dropping off hard drives bulky packages or extremely valuable films through the slot. These should be handled through one of our sales associates.

Typically we do not take orders over the phone. Orders can be placed at Pro8mm.com, or at our front counter in the retail store. International orders may also require a photo ID or other forms of verification.

The Sprocket form is required for all jobs. Archival jobs still require A Digital Mastering Form, found under the Forms tap on our website. This form collects all the information we need to do your process and scan, including the type and quantity of films coming in, the specifications of the scan, the file delivery method (ie hard drive or internet) and also credit card information and return shipping information. Sprocket will calculate your total at checkout. If you are filling out the traditional digital mastering form, a sales associate will send you an invoice upon receipt. We will not start any processing and scanning until this form is received.

All forms can be downloaded from on our website under “Forms” in drop down menu

Yes we do. Clients from all around the world purchase from us and use our services. We use fedex for international shipments. Options are available at checkout from our on line store or from your sales associate.

You local customs office will advise you of any duty that is owed when the package arrives in your country. Customers will be responsible for paying any applicable import duties and taxes. Charges may vary based on the contents of the order. Customers are advised to contact their local customs office for further information on current import regulations.

We apologize that we cannot use client supplied shipping accounts.

Pro8mm uses standard Fedex rates and options including ground, priority overnight, standard overnight, 2-day, express saver, international, and Saturday delivery. Standards rates will apply depending on what you select on Sprocket.

Once your film is shot, you will need to send it to Pro8mm for processing. Click here for the latest information on shipping Shot Your Film Next Steps

Please include a completely filled out Sprocket Form. Remember to fill the form out completely, including payment information, as you are responsible for the return shipping costs. Process and Scan will not begin until forms and payment are received.

We used Fedex published rates and there are a number of different prices based on whether you want it shipped ground, overnight, or anything in between.

Due to the large number of customers who use our products and services for non-funded productions and “works in progress,” we regret that we cannot offer credit terms, lay away or open account options. Payment must be made in full upon delivery. We regret that we cannot release materials or equipment until full payment has been made.

Pro8mm accepts cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. We also accept PayPal and wire transfers. All international transactions must be paid in U.S. dollars. Fees will apply.

Pro8mm allows purchase orders from college and university programs only, not individuals. Payment terms are net 30.

Yes, we accept wire transfers from foreign banks in U.S. dollars. Please speak to a sales associate for wire instructions. Fees will apply.

Pro8mm has a no refund/no return policy. All sales are final. We regret that we cannot exchange any film stock for a different stock once it has left our facility.

This is so we can insure the highest possible standards of quality control.

Pro8 film is our brand, and the name given to negative super 8 film stocks. These are the same gauge as any other super 8 film stock, except they are film stocks that cannot be projected. We call them pro8 films because they are made from the same emulsions as those used professionally for motion pictures, offering much more exposure latitude and resolution.

Reversal film is a positive image that can be directly projected onto a wall or screen while negative film has to be transferred to digital in order to view the images without the inverted colors.

If you try to project negative film, you will not see a good image. The advantage of shooting on negative film is that there is much more exposure latitude and resolution, capturing more information on the film.

The advantage of shooting on reversal film is that it can be projected.

Max8 cameras can shoot with any normal super 8 cartridge. This includes both pro8 and super 8 film stocks. The modification is in the camera, not the film.

The advantage of shooting on max 8 is that you get 20% more image on the frame because it utilizes the area once reserved for the audio track.

In order to streamline the process, we sell all film stocks with prepaid processing. This includes the film we reformat from 35mm Kodak and and the Kodak super 8 film stocks that are repackaged with our labels to show that processing has been included with the purchase. This makes it easy to just drop the film off or send it when it’s ready for processing.

For best results, it is recommended to shoot on fresh film stock and have it processed promptly after shooting. All photographic films degrade gradually over time and this rate is affected by various factors including temperature and humidity. It is therefore best to use the film within a few months of purchase.

If you plan to store the film for extended periods of time, keeping it dry in the freezer will slow the rate of degradation and keep the film fresh for longer. It is not recommended to store exposed film for more than a few weeks after shooting as the images can degrade significantly if not processed.

Super 8 film stocks with the magnetic sound stripe are no longer manufactured and therefore it is no longer possible to record sound directly onto the film using a super 8 sound camera.

However, it is possible to record sync sound on a separate audio recorder while shooting with a crystal-sync super 8 camera available at pro8mm. This is known as ‘double-system recording’. The motors in these cameras are crystal-controlled to ensure consistency in the filming speed, so they remain in perfect synchronization with the sound recorder.

Pro8 films come in the same cartridges as any other super 8 film. As long as your camera works it should be able to take the film.

However, not all cameras have the correct asa settings to read the film properly. Very simple cameras may only read up to asa 160, which means if you’re shooting with a faster stock, the automatic exposure settings will still rate for asa 160. This isn’t necessarily a problem when shooting on negative stocks because of the wide range of exposure latitude. Film can be overexposed or underexposed and it can be easily corrected when the film is transferred.

Another thing to be aware of is the camera’s take-up torque. Modern film stocks are thicker than the film stocks that the cameras were originally designed for, and may be a little more difficult to pull through the camera if the take-up is too weak.

You’ll need to use the 85 filter when shooting in daylight conditions using tungsten film. On most cameras you can tell that the filter is in place when you switch to the “sun” symbol. And the filter is out of place when you switch to the “light bulb” symbol.

Specific chemicals for outdated film stocks are unavailable and are difficult to recreate. Kodachrome processing ceased worldwide at the end of 2010 and it is no longer possible to normally process kodachrome film.

There is, however, a way to cross-process kodachrome using alternative chemicals to produce a black and white negative, which has to be scanned to be viewed. Other outdated films can also be processed in alternative chemicals to produce usable images.

The turnaround time for this type of processing can take up to 3 months, and there is no guarantee that an image will be produced because of the age of the film and the alternative process involved. Check with a sales associate for more information.

Turn around time for processing and scanning is approximately 5-7 business days, schedule and volume permitting. If the film is dropped off at our Burbank facility before 10:30 am, it is usually processed and scanned, ready for pick-up or shipment by 4:00pm within 5-7 days. We can not guarantee turn around times. We will not start any work until Sprocket form and payment has been received.

Turnaround times are schedule permitting and may vary based on the volume of film, your output options, etc.

We do offer rush turn arounds at an additional rush charge per run. These rush services are not guaranteed and the fee will not be charged if we are unable to perform the services within the requested timeframe.

Please plan ahead if you have important deadlines to meet.

Due to a high volume of orders, it may take up to 72 hours for you to get an email confirmation that your film was logged into our system after your package arrives.  If we take time to look for your package that takes away from the time we could be working on your job. Please rely on your shipping tracking number to confirm receipt.Turn around times are generally 5 to 7 business days after the package has been logged in.   Thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate your business!

When film is transferred using the best light method, a basic correction is set according to what looks best for the footage and then it is transferred. This means that the colorist doing the transfer does not color-correct every single scene.

A log scan, or also called a flat scan, is done with the intent that the client will do the color correction themselves in post production. We leave the most raw information on the film, for you to make the adjustments and create your own finished look.

A scene-to-scene transfer takes significantly longer than the other 2 methods, because in this case, the film transfer colorist color-corrects the footage shot by shot, and makes corrections to improve the end result to the best possible quality. This option is ideal for getting a finished look.

There are different chemical processes for developing different types of film. Some of them are no longer available and may have to be cross-processed using alternative chemicals.

There is a chance that the images on the film would have faded due to the age and large gap in time from when it was shot and when it was processed, so there is a risk involved. Scanning is the easy part and can be done with any film.

You can review our processing page under products for more information on the stocks we can process in house.

We can transfer any type of 8mm, super 8 or 16mm film to digital. If the film is old, there’s a chance the film may be damaged (cracked/torn/shrunk) if it wasn’t stored properly. Before a transfer is done, the film will have to be prepared for the transfer. This involves putting all the films on a large reel, adding leader to the ends, cleaning, re-splicing certain segments and repairing some damage as necessary. Here it is determined if the film can be scanned safely.

We recommend that all film be shot at 24 fps. Most super 8 films were shot at 18 fps during its heyday, especially home movies. Today, most films are shot at the standard 24 fps. Scanning at the same frame rate as the film was shot would give you a natural look, as the movements would look normal (not sped up or slowed down).

When scanning to hd, 24 fps gives you the best results because the machine and file formats are set up for this modern standard. While the film cartridge can last longer when shot at 18 fps, it also takes more time to scan.

You may provide your own hard drive for the film transfer as long as it is empty and reformat ready.

Please make sure it is sent in before the scheduled session. Either mail the hard drive to our Burbank facility or bring it to our retail store in Burbank (9am – 5pm Monday-Friday). Check to make sure there is enough space available to fit the files.

Alternatively, we suggest that you purchase a new drive from us, which may end up being much more cost efficient, or, use our Global Access service where we send the files over the internet.

The different file format options handle data differently. Footage transferred at a higher quality format will take up a significantly larger amount of hard drive space than footage transferred at a lower quality format.

It might be tempting to go for the best, uncompressed option, but this means that every minute of footage will take up around 12 gb of space.

Most computers and hard drives are not currently able to handle this high rate of data, so it is best to make sure that your system can handle the format you choose otherwise you won’t be able to use the footage. Most jobs we do are transferred using the 422 prores hq option. Some go to prores 444 rgb. This is a very high-quality, visually lossless format that is within the threshold of what most up-to-date computers can handle.

Most of the format options are best suited for mac computers with the appropriate codecs. They work great with final cut pro. These files will also work on pcs as long as the appropriate codecs are available for reading the files.

Our pre-paid packages include film (your choice of stock), processing, prep & clean, and scanning based on the workflow of your choice (basic, production, advanced or ultimate.) Pricing is based on the number of rolls and scan type.

When you have finished shooting, send the exposed rolls of film to our Burbank facility (2805 w. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank, CA 91505) along with a filled-out Sprocket order form.

After the film has been scanned, you may pick it up or arrange to have it shipped back to you.

Unfortunately we do not offer students discounts. However, you can always receive a discount when you buy a film, processing and transfer all-inclusive package.

Max 8 is a widescreen super 8 film format, ready for the hd world. It utilizes the unused area on the film (once reserved for the magnetic sound stripe), increasing image resolution by 20%. This process involves widening the film gate to allow maximum use of the film’s negative space, recollimation of the lens and optics to center the image, and the addition of 16×9 frame lines in the eyepiece to aid in framing for the hd aspect ratio. Max 8 footage must be transferred on a max 8 equipped scanner for the full quality.

We are unable to make prints of super 8 film. Most people will scan to digital and if needed, blow up the digital to 35mm at a post facility using the high-quality files we provide.

We don’t not repair projectors. We do sell a restored Super 8 Projector.
The Magnum Super 8 Film Projector

You probably shot on negative film and tried to project it. Negative film cannot be projected. It has to be scanned and color-corrected during the transfer process to view it digitally.

There are a few possible reasons for this. Most likely, the scenes weren’t captured on the film. This usually happens at the very beginning or very end of each roll. It is a good idea to shoot for a few seconds at the start of each roll, before shooting what you really want, to provide “handles” on the film for processing. This also helps determine if the film is advancing properly. Scenes may seem to go missing at the end of the roll because users sometimes continue shooting unaware that they have reached the end of the roll. If scenes seem to have disappeared in the middle of the roll, chances are the camera malfunctioned in some way and did not pull/transport the film properly for that portion.

There are different reasons for this. If the film comes back completely blank, chances are the camera you used was not working properly and either overexposed or didn’t expose any images on the entire roll, or the film you shot was very old and had degraded to the point where no image could be captured on the film. Make sure the automatic exposure control in your camera is working properly before using it, or be able to adjust the aperture manually.

Another reason could be that the roll of film did not even run through the camera. Even though the footage counter may have moved, the film might not have advanced through the camera due to a malfunction. Make sure that you process the film only after you have reached the end of the roll. It is marked by a slitted portion of film at the very end that prevents the film from moving any further once the end has been reached. You can purchase a 1 roll basic package so that you can test your workflows before investing in a large project with a camera that may not be working properly.

A hard drive has to be formatted for mac or pc. Mac formatted hard drives are not readable on a pc and will not play the files. Conversely a pc formatted hard drive may have difficulty on a mac.

Please make sure to specify the type of formatting you require on the drive before the film transfer for a smooth workflow.

Cartridges can jam when film is not taken-up at the same rate as the film running through the camera, causing it to bundle in the take-up chamber. To fix this, remove the cartridge from the camera and turn the reel (located on the back of the cartridge) clockwise until it is tight. It might help to pull a small loop of film out of the cartridge before tightening the reel. Put the cartridge back in the camera and try again. It might also help to tap the cartridge lightly.

If the problem persists over multiple rolls, it would be a good idea to have your camera’s take-up torque examined.

Your digital files on our server and your physical film at our facility can only be stored free of charge for 30 days.After that, you may buy a 6, 12, or 24 month contract for storage. This option is great for clients who want to pick-up when they are in the LA area and not incur the cost of shipping, or just want that extra security for their digital file for a longer period of time. Any items left at Pro8mm without pre-paid storage will be considered abandoned and will be recycled after 30 days. Purchase your storage contract at Sprocket.