Al Capone Miami Mansion 16mm Film Converted to Digtal HD mp4 Files

Al Capone’s Miami Mansion 16mm Film Enhanced and Transferred to Digital Files

AV Workshop recently worked with The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada to digitize some of Al Capone’s 16mm home movies. This reel was filmed in 1929 (almost 100 years ago!) at his mansion in Miami, Florida. We scanned this reel frame-by-frame in 2048 x 1536 (almost 3K!) resolution and then output it to an HD mp4 File that can be shared, edited, and uploaded.

Watch a few highlights from this 16mm Film Transfer to Digital mp4!

Our Film Transfer Process:

1) Organize / Clean / Repair

We begin our film transfer process by organizing and labeling your reels. If the reels are pre-numbered we keep them in that order. If not, we order and label your reels by date where possible. Next, we clean the film with an anti-static solvent to eliminate any dirt, bacteria, dust, etc. This allows us to get the cleanest image and smoothest scan during transfer. Lastly, we repair any faulty splices and add leader where needed.

2) Scan

At AV Workshop we transfer all film to digital in-house. We use the RetroScan Universal 2k Mach 1 Film Scanner to scan every single frame directly in 2048 x 1536 definition (nearly 3K resolution!). In addition, these scanners have an enlarged gate – which means we can scan the entire film frame and nothing gets cut out. The film is scanned using a bright and cool LED light source which has a few benefits. First, there is no risk of burning the film. Second, the cool LED light creates rich, vibrant colors.

3) Edit / Enhance

After we scan the film to digital, we find the correct frame rate. Usally, 16mm / 8mm films are 16 frames per second and Super 8 films are 18 frames per second. However, we always double check the motion and adjust the frame rate if necessary. We can export film at any frame rate between 8fps and 30fps. Once the motion looks correct, we export the frames as a movie file at 1080p and import it into Adobe Premiere Pro. If a customer orders the Enhanced Film Transfer, this is where we begin the manual color balancing process. We also correct brightness, shadow detail, contrast, and saturation. We trim out the leader at the very beginning so when you play your file, it will begin right where the footage begins.

If we come across film with sound (typically only Super 8 or 16mm) we scan it separately, sync it up in Adobe Premiere Pro, and apply noise reduction and level optimization.

4) Encoding / Output

We export your films as High Definition mp4 Files (1920 x 1080p, 50 mb/s) and organize them onto a flash drive. We label each file by name and reel number which corresponds the the numbering on the physical reels as well! The mp4 files are compatible with just about any device (MAC, PC, Smart TV, etc.). They can also be edited on most software (Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere Pro, Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, etc.) and uploaded to video sharing platforms such as Youtube and Vimeo.

If you’ve been thinking about transferring some of your old film, there are a few things to look out for!

One of the primary causes of film deterioration is vinegar syndrome. Vinegar syndrome is the breakdown of the acetate base that most film is made from. This breakdown releases a strong vinegar scent and can cause many problems for the film including warping, curling, shrinkage, brittleness, loss of detail, desaturation, and could ultimately make your film impossible to transfer. If you notice a vinegar scent, it’s best to transfer your films sooner than later – as the vinegar vapors can contaminate nearby film and shorten the lifespan of your home movies. Learn More »

Snowflake syndrome is another form of deterioration that can arise with your old film. If you notice mold and mildew (which typically grows in hot / humid environments) it could affect the appearance of your film. AV Workshop can often remove the mold and mildew with proper cleaning. In the event that all the mold spores cannot be removed, they may appear on your film as snowflakes on the image. If your films continue to be stored in hot and humid conditions, the film can also warp and curl – making it nontransferable or playable. Snowflake syndrome is another reason we recommend transferring your films to digital as soon as possible! Learn More »

Need help organizing your home movies?

If you do not know the contents of your reels , AV offers an option for you! We do not recommend nor provide projectors to preview your films. This is because the risk of damage to your film with these devices is quite high. The risks include burning the film (via the incandescent projector bulbs), the scarcity of projectors / bulbs available, wear and tear to the sprocket holes (which makes the image unstable during transfer), and risk of damaging your film beyond repair. With this in mind, AV Workshop offers the option for a Reference Video. The reference video will display all of your film reels labeled by number on the video. We will provide you with a Reference Log so you can log what is on each reel and inform us of the new order you would like your films to be in. Learn More »

Not sure how to view your films with a Flash Drive?
Converting your films to mp4 Files on a Flash Drive is the highest quality transfer option here at AV Workshop. If you’re not sure exactly how to view your files using a USB Flash Drive, don’t worry. We have a step-by-step guide to help you out. Learn More »