One of the benefits of digitisation is that it provides content/rights owners with the opportunity to restore and re-master classic content which it can then sell to broadcasters for new audiences to enjoy.
Our recent partnership with Film4 to re-master the 1986 British comedy classic Rita, Sue and Bob Too, along with other titles including Brassed Off in true High Definition is a core reflection of this.
We have worked with Film4 on many HD restoration projects in the past, which include removing all dirt, scratches and occasionally continuity errors. We were thrilled to be an integral part of these new film projects for Film4’s international distribution channel.
During this process the film elements are scanned at 2k via our Arriscan Scanner into a DPX file sequence. The DPX files are then graded to the clients’ specification and then rendered into the file. The restoration artists utilise a vast array of restorative tools ranging from automated passes through to frame by frame hand painting – whatever the project requires, before the grain and sharpness treatments are applied.
For Rita Sue and Bob Too we were able to access the original negative. Whilst this made the grading process more challenging it did allow us to deliver the film, as it has never been seen before.
