Please note that we will be closed for the Bank holiday from noon on Friday the 1st of May.
Go Fetch: Pets in Your Home Movies
On this blog, we often chat about the importance of family and friends in your home movies. You know the sort of thing: Granny Smith’s impromptu disco-fever dance, Uncle Mike’s debauched 40th birthday party. But we’ve always neglected our four-legged family members – until now.
Yep, for the whole of April it’s National Pet Month. Bet you didn’t even know that was a thing, right? Our furry friends sometimes make the best home movie stars, for those faces they pull, the guilty slinking after chowing down your diner while your back was turned, the fact that maybe – just maybe – they actually understand every word you say (And still pay no attention to it!).
Celebrate Colin
National Pet Month isn’t just an opportunity to get your favourite critters on film today; it’s also a chance to celebrate those pets who are no longer with you – remember Fluffy the Doberman? – or remember little Colin the Tortoise in his prime, before he sagged with every step. And what better way than by holding a home video pet night, converting the old cine film to DVD or USB and gathering everyone – yes, even Kitty the cat – to watch those old pet clips back?
In fact, it doesn’t even need to be a straight film conversion. With a little bit of editing, you could turn it into a highlight reel, remember all of your pet’s best moments in a single home movie. And with some titles and a bit of music, like the kind we can put onto your DVD, you’ll have an excellent way of immortalising your animals.
Perfect Pet
Of course capturing those perfect pet moments can be super-hard – and that’s another great reason to get those old film reels put on to USB or DVD. After all, you spent so long waiting to film your pet to do that weird head-bobbing shoulder dance it does, wouldn’t it be nice to see it again? Not only that, but you’ll also be able to watch them wherever you are, without setting up that antique projector in the front room. Oh, and then there’s the fact that you’ll be able to share Roger the Rabbit with everyone, not just on the big-screen, but on the computer screen too, by uploading it to Youtube and the like.
Ready to see your pets in action? Then we can lend a hand! Our pro team have been transferring old films to digital formats, so you can be sure your memories are in safe hands. If you’d like to know more, simply contact us on 0800 592 433 and we’ll be delighted to help.
How Do You Shoot Yours?
When it comes to shooting home movies, you may well have your stars (Well, your family and friends), and your action (Like Adel’s 18th birthday, or Verity’s hen-do) – but how the devil do you shoot them?
Glad you asked! That’s precisely why we thought we’d take a look at the different types of camcorders – from the older models to the fresh and funky ones on the market today – so you know what sort of kit you’re dealing with, and what kind you’ll want to invest in for the future.
The 8mm Craze
8mm had been about, in one form or another, since the 1930s. In 1963, Zapruder’s Zoomatic 8mm captured the assassination of President Kennedy. But the format really took off with Kodak’s 1965 invention, Super8, and it wasn’t too long before handheld movie cameras were everywhere. The main downside to these was the lack of microphones, meaning the soundtrack to your film was just the haunting flicker of the projector. Chances are, if you have old film footage from the 60s and 70s, then it was filmed on 8mm or Super 8.
VHS Hits
Ah, the old favourite, the VHS. Shortly after the format hit the mainstream, VHS camcorders came on the market, allowing everyone to film Kirk and Sherri’s wedding – with sound! But these beasts were heavy, so hardly fit for lugging around on your family holiday to Florida. So naturally, the companies adapted, creating S-VHS and Video8, which were smaller – and meant the camcorder could be smaller too.
Maximum Love for Mini-DV
Probably the most successful of all the cassette-based formats was Mini-DV camcorder. Unlike the VHS camcorders of yore, these really were handheld, and because of that, their popularity was widespread. Everyone from documentary filmmakers to your neighbour had one of these to capture great moments.
The Digital Revolution
As we entered into internet age, digital become a serious, if slightly more expensive, recording format. DVD cameras allowed folks to record directly on to disc – although this came at the expensive of picture quality, which was compressed. This was followed by HDD camcorders that converted the film instantly into a digital format; flash drive camcorders followed after – although these are terrifically expensive when compared even with hard drive versions.
The Future
These days, the digital revolution continues at a pretty sturdy pace. Now we can film in high definition, but pretty soon 4K will overtake even the traditional HD models. And then there’s the possibility of 3D camcorders going mainstream – the technology is out there, and even certain models available, although they’re more likely to be used by professional filmmakers, rather than capturing Olivia and Grace’s birthday party!
So, how do you shoot yours? If you’ve got older footage, we offer an awesome service that can effortlessly transfer 8mm film to DVD – ensuring that your memories stay with you long after a format has become obsolete. To find out more about our services, all you need to do is contact us on 0800 592 433. We’d love to hear from you.
The Best of Netflix: Films to Look Out For
Over the past few years, Netflix has become extremely popular. From binge watching TV shows, to watching films, there is usually something for everyone.
However, sometimes you can spend a rather long time searching through the hundreds of movies attempting to find something to watch. That’s why we have put together a short list of some of the films that we think are worth checking out next time you are flicking through Netflix.
Limitless (2011)
This 2011 physiological thriller stars Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper.
It follows Cooper as an unsuccessful writer who is out of work, with no girlfriend and zero job prospects. He agrees to take an experimental pill that claims to be able make him more successful.
Whilst this mysterious pill allows him to access 100 percent of his brain, and therefore turns him into a financial mastermind, it also brings him into a lot of unknown danger.
Whilst we don’t want to spoil the film, we will say that this action thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
A hard-hitting film that follows the 10 year search for terrorist Osama Bin Laden; a search which ended with his death in 2011.
Jessica Chastain plays the role of CIA operative Maya, who is put in charge of interrogating suspects in order to find Bin Laden’s location.
The film suffered some criticism about its realism, but we think it’s an interesting watch and worth a try.
Tangled (2010)
Tangled is a Disney film that the whole family will enjoy. It’s a retelling of the story of Rapunzel, the girl with the ridiculously long hair. It follows her on her first adventure outside the castle she has been trapped inside all her life.
This animation comedy has plenty for everyone, including romance, action and a lot of girl power! It is definitely a film to look out for.
We can almost picture you all rushing to check out these films on Netflix straight away. We all enjoy watching a film we haven’t seen before, but we think it’s always extra special to watch one that holds brilliant memories. Here at Cine2DVD, we are experts in transferring Cine film to DVD, meaning we can transfer all the memories you have on old film to DVD. This is one DVD that you‘ll be watching over and over.
For more information, please contact us on 0800 592433 and a member of our staff will be able to help you.
Upcoming Movies: What to Look Out For in 2015
The first three months of 2015 have already given us a handful of exciting new movies. From Disney’s Cinderella, to the adaptation of erotic novel 50 Shades of Grey, there have been a lot of fresh films to talk about.
As big film lovers, we are even more excited for what is yet to come. There are a huge number of films that are to be released this year, from all different genres. We have put together a list of some of the films that we personally cannot wait to see!
Jurassic World (June 12th)
Jurassic World is the fourth instalment in the Jurassic Park film franchise. The last film was released back in 2001, making it a 14-year gap between the third film and this one.
Chris Pratt leads the film, with other notable cast members including New Girl’s Jake Johnson and Jurassic Park veteran B.D Wong. The movie depicts a dinosaur theme park that is situated near Costa Rica, where behavioural research is being undertaken on a group of Velociraptors.
We don’t know a lot about the movie, but if the first three films are anything to go by, we imagine there will be a lot of gruesome deaths at the hands (or claws) of angry dinosaurs!
Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1st)
Marvel fans unite! The highly anticipated sequel is almost upon us, and all our favourite MCU superheroes are back.
This time, the guys are in charge of saving the world, as a peacekeeping program that Tony Stark invents goes horribly wrong, resulting in a self-aware artificial intelligence that wants to rid the world of humans.
We know the film will guarantee plenty of badass superheroes and buckets of fun! Definitely a film for all the family.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (November 20th)
It’s nearly coming to an end, and we are not sure whether to be excited for the last instalment in one of our favourite dystopian movie franchises, or be sad that it’s almost over.
The films, which are taken from a successful young adult book series, have been a massive hit with people of all ages. The last book is darker than the others, and we’re excited to see how this is transferred to the big screen.
Are you Team Peeta or Team Gale? Those who haven’t read the book will be excited to know the answer.
Sadly, it will also mark one of the last performances of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who died during the filming of the movie.
We don’t know about you, but we are officially excited for the rest of 2015. Whilst we enjoy looking forward, we also know it’s important to look back at our fondest memories. Here at Cine2DVD, we specialise in film transfer services, including transferring 8mm film to DVD.
For more information, contact us on 0800 592433 and a member of our staff will be able to help you.
