A. For color negative processing and workprinting or prep for transfer, it usually takes 2-4 business days in the lab. For BW negative processing and workprinting or prep for transfer, it can take up to 7 business days for turnaround. S8mm or 16mm bw reversal turnaround time is approximately 2 business days. S8mm or 16mm color reversal turnaround is up to 4 business days, as is S8mm color negative. If you are transferring your film at Alpha Cine, it is best to call ahead to schedule it as we often book our transfer suite a week or so in advance.

A. Please include a copy of our Lab Order Form with your order. This should include detailed instructions including your name, shipping address, phone number and a VISA/Mastercard/American Express number if applicable. If you have a preferred method of return shipping, let us know. If there are no return instructions, the film will be returned the way it came.

A. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express or checks.  If paying by check you may send a blank check and we’ll send a receipt back to inform you of the amount.

A. Yes, a 50% deposit or VISA/MC/AMEX number is required on all orders.

A. Pushing film to compensate for underexposure results in a denser negative. Pulling film to compensate for overexposure results in a less dense negative. We can push or pull 16mm or 35mm film for an additional .07 per foot per stop and S8mm for $4.00-$4.50 per cartridge per stop depending upon type of film.

A. Yes, we offer a 10% student discount on 16mm and 35mm workprints and film to tape transfers. Please send a Xerox copy of your student ID with your first order and remind us in subsequent orders that you qualify for the student discount.

A. Yes, since our merger with Forde Labs we are able to offer high quality Black and White and color reversal processing, as well as Super 8 color negative processing.

A. Yes.  Call for information.

A. Our standard shippers are FedEx, UPS and the USPS Priority Mail.  Services vary by courier, so please call us or check out our Lab Order form to see the specific types of shipping offered by the various couriers. Let us know which you would prefer and whether you would like overnight shipping or something slower (and thus cheaper). If another shipper is required, please make special arrangements ahead of time. For International orders, please contact the lab to see what type of shipping is offered to your location.

  
A. An answer print is the first corrected print of an edited original. It is usually printed from A/B rolls and contains requested effects such as fades and dissolves. A release print is an additional print made after an approved answer print, incorporating the same corrections.

A. Wet-gating (also called liquid-gating) is an attempt in the printing stage to hide or minimize scratches on the original negative. This incurs an additional charge.

  
A. An optical soundtrack is the soundtrack negative that is printed onto the side of the finished film.  It is required for a sound print and is usually made from the mixed magnetic sound.  Alpha Cine doesn’t make optical sound tracks so you will have to provide one for us.

A. Wind refers to the relationship between image direction and emulsion position.  Images in B-wind read correctly through the base.  All camera negative original is B-wind.

A. Fades and dissolves can be in lengths of 16, 24, 32, 48, 64 and 96 frames ONLY.  There must be at least 8 frames between two dissolves.  There must be at least 24 frames between a dissolve and the following straight cut.  Please note that there is no additional charge for fades and dissolves when printing answer or release prints.

A. With 16mm, divide your footage by 36, leaving you with the running time in minutes.  With 35mm, divide the footage by 90. See our Running Time Calculator for conversions.

A. 18 frames are required to affect a cue change on any given print roll.

A. Vault storage for active elements can be provided by Alpha Cine if requested.  Elements that have not been active for 90 days are subject to a storage charge of $5.00 per can per month with a minimum charge of $20 per month, billed in 3-month increments.

A. No, we need to have a print or dupe negative.  It is best if we utilize the sound from a magnetic track or DAT.  Please make sure you have your sync mark indicated.

A. We can place black at the top and bottom of the frame approximating a 1:85 matte, but it is just recorded over that portion of the picture.  If you did not frame your scene with this process in mind, you may lose part of the image that you need to see.  We do not squeeze the picture to fill inside the 1:85 frame.

Q.
A. Yes, but we do not guarantee against tape defects.  If you supply tape, we would appreciate knowing whether you want the tape bulk erased or the new material recorded at the end of what is on the tape.

A. No.

Q. 
A. Yes, we can do blow-ups and enlargements from 16mm and Super 16mm to 35mm, as well as reduction prints.

Q. 
A. Yes, we can do freeze frames, multiple skip printing, zooms and pans, short and long fades/dissolves, repositions, and titles over scenes.

Q. 
A. You may call us direct at (206) 682-8230 during normal working hours. You may also contact us via email.