Steve Krams (left) and Bob Corti
Manhattan Transfer Miami (MTM) and Continental Film & Video Labs have formed a strategic alliance in order to offer film and video clients a complete package of services, from production through post-production. To cement the relationship, MTM is installing the first Thompson Grass Valley Spirit® HD telecine in the Southeast region in a spacious, purpose-built suite that will be staffed around the clock by the two companies.
According to MTM’s general manager, Bob Corti, the new relationship offers endless synergies to the combined client base of the two companies. “Ninety-five percent of our work is commercials. We have not previously pursued feature work, because that typically goes to the lab, so that is what we hope Continental will bring to the table. There is very, very little overlap in our respective client bases, so their portion of the business dovetails nicely with ours.”
“We are able to offer a package of services, which not only include our traditional film-related services, but now new post-production services by way of our association with Manhattan Transfer Miami,” stated Steve Krams, Continental’s president and owner. “Now, clients can come in here and, from the front end to the back end, we can provide all the services they need—and MTM can do the same.
“Together, we are able to now compete favorably in the market with the latest technologies that Thompson Grass Valley has available by way of the Spirit HD.”
The Spirit HD, which facilitates the transfer of film content for motion picture post-production and other applications, such as the re-mastering of movies for HDTV, will be installed in a new suite at MTM’s Coconut Grove facility. “We took two suites and combined them to make a very big, spacious, comfortable suite,” says Corti.
“We already have HD capability in the rest of the facility,” Corti continues. “We have HD-capable Avids, HD audio, Discreet’s HD Smokes and Flames, so this is the final piece of the puzzle for us.” The next-generation Spirit HD offers improved picture quality and resolution over the previous generation of Spirit machines, and offers an easy upgrade path to 2k, 4k or datacine operation in the future.
Continental currently offers film lab and standard definition transfer services, and is a 24/7 operation. “People will drop their film off at night and pick it up in the morning,” explains Krams. “Then they do their transfers either during the day or evening. Continental is providing support HD equipment such as HD monitoring, Teranex and Aaton Keylink, just to mention a few of the items.” Krams notes that the company has a film lab in Orlando, Fla., as well as in North Miami. “So, we’re going to feed whatever we can from Orlando through here, also.”
Krams is also president of chain of movie theaters known as Sunstar Theaters and Magna-Tech Electronic Co., which manufactures master recorders, dubbers and high-speed electronic projection equipment. “So, we’re in exhibition, equipment manufacturing, and in post-production now!”
For more information, visit www.mtmiami.com and www.flfilmlab.com/index.htm.
