Our Workflow
Our workflow starts with the film being received into our secure facility, we log the film into our system utilising an existing QR, barcode or generating a new one from our system as well as taking a physical picture of the asset. This is the start of the journey for the film. This ID can be persisted throughout the process and utilised by your own archive provider as a database for the elements.
We then prepare the film for scanning for best results that includes rewinding and inspection, physical repair and film cleaning, then we scan the material for best RAW scans before transcode to delivery spec and proxy generation for portal tagging and review, finally delivery via your preferred delivery method and return or storage of your film elements.
Film Preparation and Clean
In addition to the film scanning we offer comprehensive film preparation to ensure your film is in the best condition to provide the cleanest and best scanned files we can achieve from the film we receive.
This includes rewinding, repair of damaged elements, fixing splices and film cleaning using the very latest Kodak environmentally friendly film cleaning system the P200.
The machine uses environmentally friendly HFE fluid
We always assess the film to ensure that it is worthwhile scanning the image and to make sure we get the very best from what remains using inspection tables.
Our services also include by hand frame by frame restoration if required and if the film can be improved upon.
We store and manage the asset ready for scanning and delivery.
Film Scanning
We scan all film formats from 8mm thru to 65mm for online use or for full post- production to uncompressed files. The list of deliverable file formats is long and we scan resolutions up to 4k at this point.
Our film scanning systems are the latest technology that combines high quality image performance with excellent film handling and a software suite capable of ingest, edit, colour grading, vfx and restoration as well as delivery to your required file format.
Our scanning technology scans the entire film frame ensuring that nothing is lost and giving all of the image to allow for pan, scan or reposition of the framing downstream.
For 35mm and 16mm film scans we use the Black Magic Design Cintel Scanners that offer 4k scanning at up to 30fps with pin registered software based stability and Resolve software for capture and with over 150TB of high speed storage we can cope with running multiple scanners and offload workstations.
For 8mm/S8mm, 9.5mm and 16mm we use the Filmfabriek Muller HDS+ that utilises an archive based transport system and a unique wet gate system for dirt and scratch removal as you scan. The scanner is capable of 2/4k scans even from 8mm film.
Media Management
Once we have scanned the film we not only make your deliverable but also provide you a login in to a unique secure web based platform that allows you to tag and view your content for accurate search and find capability for all assets and allow you to easily find and deliver your content.
We native support for our monetisation portal, allowing for content to be digitised, augmented with metadata and displayed directly into your own branded client-facing portal. Users are then able to login, search and work with the content (including editing and sharing of bins) – and then request for fulfilment to a wide range of output formats and mediums. The portal includes full e-commerce integration and full “lights out” automation for the delivery process.
ScanSmiths Portal
Big Pic Media Services also offers highly configurable “off the shelf” monetisation portals, allowing for your digitised content to be easily augmented with metadata, and then published directly for online viewing, ordering and fulfilment. All our solutions also include full e-commerce integration.
Cognitive Services
Big Pic Media Services truly offers a different service than the market does today for bulk digitisation – in summary, here are some of the key features and USPs that the service provides….
Highly Scalable ingest solutions – scales as required, suitable for any size library or digitisation project.
Fully customisable workflows – you can define the workflows as you require for your content, with no charge for this service. This enables the maximum efficiency for your particular use case.
Built for maximum efficiency and accuracy – the entire technology and operational set up is built around best practice for quality, but also for efficiency and accuracy. The net consequence of that the cost savings can be passed on to you, without impacting quality or performance.
Ability to import order lists quickly and easily – our platform can easily import Excel documents in your own internal format for “digitisation lists” if you have such documents in existence that you want to use to triggers the processes.
Proxies by default – Spot and Spin Media services does not charge for online proxies, and provide these if required alongside the mezzanine file if required. These can be configured and devalued according to rules as required. We also provide multi-channel audio proxies, allowing for the QC of content online;
Integration with other cloud services – our platform is natively integrated with many online solutions for transcoding / standards conversion, file based QC and storage. Blended rates are also available for these on request.
Delivery
RESTORATION
We supply restoration services in house but also partner with industry leading restoration facilities for larger digital restoration projects as required to ensure we meet our and your high expectation results.
POST PRODUCTION
In house capability includes editing, colour correction and delivery for more in depth Post Production with VFX etc we partner with a select number of leading Post Production companies for a complete end to end service.
DELIVERY
This can be made via client or BPM supplied HDD or via FTP or UDP transfer (Signiant/Aspera/Open Source). We can also write to LTO tapes for long term client storage.
ARCHIVE
We are happy to deliver to Cloud Based archives, HDD or to LTO tape if required for long term archive.
