Ok, so I could only use it by purchasing a packaged version

ghost072 wrote on 7/6/2004, 12:40 PM
I found a place called Retrofilm that sells public domain films for use in production environments, but they don't list prices, usually a bad sign, in my experience. I also found a place selling NOTLD for $549 on DV, for the same purpose. I am struggling, because the film I working on has a character who watches a lot of TV and it is difficult to find anything for him to watch! Old horror movies would have been perfectm, but alas, there is always a catch. Thanks for the feedback, Spot...

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 7/6/2004, 1:19 PM
Well....for a hell of a lot less than that, you could buy the Retro library from Artbeats, or contact various government agencies...or go to loc.gov and download pubdomain stuff there. All free from government. Get some nasty atomic bomb footage and overlay that with dialog from the loc audio libraries?
jeremyk wrote on 7/6/2004, 3:32 PM
There are free public domain films available for downloading at the Prelinger Archives:

http://www.archive.org/movies/prelinger.php

A big selection -- you might find what you want. Good luck!
vicmilt wrote on 7/6/2004, 3:37 PM
Hey Spot -
I just spent about a half hour stumbling around the LOC.GOV site and didn't get anywhere...
would you kindly give me a "typical" route so I can get the feel of the place??
A-bomb footage (fer instance) is fine.
ghost072 wrote on 7/6/2004, 3:52 PM
Yeah, I am looking into the Artbeats stuff based on your recommendation in a previous thread. I ordered a sample pack for starters, but I think I might have to swing for one of their packages, too. Looks like great stuff...
GaryKleiner wrote on 7/6/2004, 5:22 PM
I got familiar with a lot of the Artbeats footage during the VASST tour with Spot.

It's very impressive stuff available in a WIDE range of subject matter and graphics.

Gary
filmy wrote on 7/6/2004, 6:22 PM
Yes - that is what I was just going to say - Rick has a great selection of free material. I have seen many people use various clips in documentarys about WW 2 for example.

For govt films you can try contacting them directly - they usually charge a tape fee however. In the old days you could call this underground bunker somewhere in the Nevada desert and tell them what you were looking for and they would ship out a 16mm/35mm roll of footage that you could look at, and cut into you workprint. All you wouold have to pay for is the shipping back and the cost of an inter-neg. So in a way it is the same idea now with paying for the dubbing. You can also try the DOD web site, you could find some current footage that is used in the daily briefings. There is also FEMA. However -and this is imprtant - it is best to know *exactly* what you are looking for because these people do not have the time or staff to research hours upon hours of footage...in many case they will charge a fee for doing this, in others they will tell you unless you know exactly what you are looking for you are out of luck. You are more likely to get something for "free" if you have something specific in mind. For example - "I would like about 10 minutes of footage from Pearl Harbor in January 1942 that shows ships docked, if you have it. " would be better than saying "I want something tropical in the 40's that shows battleships"

Anyhow - for govt/military media here is the basic rundown -

Pricing for motion media varies depending on format and quantity. We can provide video in the following formats: Betacam, Betacam SP, Betacam SX, DVCPro, VHS, S-VHS, VHS-PAL, Hi-8, and 3/4-inch Umatic.

Contact info:

DVIC/JCWS Research Department
1363 Z St, Bldg 2730
March ARB CA 92518-2073
Phone: 909-413-2550 or DSN 348-1550

Fax: 909-413-2552 or DSN 348-1552
E-mail: lawsonf [at] dodmedia [dot] osd [dot] mil
Monday - Friday (closed on Federal Holidays)
7:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)

Also -
For public and commercial customers, copies of completed DoD productions that are cleared for public release can be bought from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) located in Springfield VA. Please call 703-605-6186 for more information.

For FEMA you can ask Don Jacks for something specific. if he is not swamped he can help you, or refer you to someone who can. keep in mind what FEMA is - they deal with emergancys so if you need footage of a tornado's damge or an ice storm they would be more likely to have that. email is don [dot] jacks [at] dhs [dot] gov Phone is (202) 646-3985