The evolution of film post-production: A journey through time
A new era at NFI Filmlab
In the heart of Hungary, NFI Filmlab stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of film post-production. With a legacy spanning over six decades, this institution has been pivotal in shaping the cinematic landscape of Central Europe. Recently, Viktória Sovák, a seasoned professional with a rich background in European film laboratories, took the helm as the managing director. Her journey through the analog and digital realms of film post-production is nothing short of inspiring.
A legacy of expertise
Sovák’s career is a testament to her dedication and passion for the art of film. Having worked at renowned laboratories such as Laboratoires Éclair in France and L’immagine Ritrovata in Italy, she brings a wealth of knowledge to NFI Filmlab. “From the full analog era until the appearance of born-digital movies, I took it as my responsibility to know all workflows, machines, and software,” she shares. Her expertise spans almost every area of film post-production, from film processing and negative editing to digitization and digital deliveries.
Pioneering film digitization and restoration
In recent years, Sovák has been at the forefront of film digitization and restoration. Her involvement in the French ECPAD’s PSNA project, which aimed to digitize and preserve approximately 4,500 nitrate films, highlights her commitment to preserving cinematic history. As a project manager, she meticulously prepared and developed work processes, supervised technical tasks, and trained technicians to meet the project’s needs.
NFI Filmlab: A hub of analog and digital excellence
NFI Filmlab is renowned for its comprehensive range of analog and digital post-production services. It is one of the few laboratories in Europe that offers complete analog post-production services, including traditional negative editing and both black and white and color film processing. “When a production requires analog film lab services, it can check the official site of Kodak that lists all analog labs and their services by country,” Sovák explains. The lab’s ability to seamlessly integrate analog and digital services ensures cutting-edge quality in every project.
The art of film processing
Recent projects like “Maria” and “The Brutalist” underscore NFI Filmlab’s prowess in film processing. For “Maria,” the lab processed 5,889 meters of 16mm color film, 5,095 meters of 35mm black and white film, and 55,160 meters of 35mm color film. The project involved two months of preparatory work, tests, and 42 shooting days, with the participation of 10 NFI Filmlab professionals. Similarly, “The Brutalist” required the processing of 87,039 meters of 35mm color film, with two months of preparatory work, tests, and 34 shooting days.
Embracing modern technology
Last year, NFI Filmlab embarked on a modernization journey, creating a new high-tech processing hall and introducing three new processing machines from Photomec U.K. These machines, suitable for developing both color and black and white, 16mm and 35mm negatives, are more modern, ecological, and effective than their predecessors. “With our latest investment, we serve not only the market needs of new productions shooting on film but also enable long-term restorations for archive films,” Sovák notes.
The renaissance of analog film
Despite the digital revolution, many filmmakers continue to shoot on 35mm and 70mm film. The analog format is experiencing a renaissance, with big studio productions like Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” opting for the classic medium. Independent films like Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” also embrace the unique aesthetic of analog film. Corbet believes that 35mm film stock offers a grander and more accurate representation of color, creating an image that almost leaps out of the frame.
Preserving the art and knowledge of analog film
Sovák emphasizes the importance of perpetuating analog technology and knowledge. ”The challenge is, first of all, that analog machines are becoming obsolete and it’s more and more difficult to repair them,” she says. NFI Filmlab is committed to training its staff and passing on their expertise to the younger generation of professionals. Together with the NFI Film Archive, the lab is set to launch an analog film preservation program, focusing on digitizing and preserving archive films, especially nitrate ones, and recording restored films on 35mm film for future generations.
A bright future for NFI Filmlab
As NFI Filmlab continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving landscape of film post-production, it remains a cornerstone of cinematic excellence. With Sovák at the helm, the lab is poised to navigate the challenges and opportunities of both analog and digital realms, ensuring that the art of film continues to thrive for years to come.
For more information on the latest projects and services offered by NFI Filmlab, visit their official website.