Colorization...

[dandu]

Well not really that I know of, I only have broadcast, I have heard that Turner Classic Movies who boasts that they show only the original versions have shown colorized versions of films recently. I even read they have shown a colorized version of "Way out West" in MONOCHROME! A poster who spread this news said it looked like a 3rd generation SLP tape copy with lots of grain and ghosts... A colorized version of "The Great Rupert" aired last year on my local UPN channel.
Colorized movies were VERY POPULAR in the 1980s and early 1990s here in the USA, shame I was not born/only a baby then, I'm glad dad taped some movies that way, he prefers the colorized versions over b/w...

Well, I will get around to doing that when xmas is over, right now i can't really do much in terms of colorizing film...

[dandu]

Anyway, I'd like to appologize that the colorization I'm making is nowhere close to Legend Film's work, I do not have the resources they have to find out the colors used in the actual film, I dont think anyone has. But if YOU ALL have the resources please make suggestions. Otherwise I will have to make choices using my aesthetic thinking. Just letting you guys know that fact, so that there will be no complaints...

[Mr. Toots]

Hello, just wanted to point out to Dandu (remembering the recent 'eye colour' thread) that not only were his eyes blue, but his hair was also a light mousy colour (blondish).

[dandu]

Thank you Toots, you made me glad that I am not up to the scene where George first appears yet...It's a slow process but I am trying to make headway. The later films like Bell Bottom George would be easier since the title cards are static so that i just colorize one frame of each title and transition them later.

[Mr. Toots]

How far have you got to date?

Enough for a teaser?

[dandu]

I am now up to the scene where George leaves his shed. Not quite enough for a teaser. Remember, I had to redo all my previous work, since I have superior software and a nicer copy of the film.

[Ukulele Boy]

I own a program to make colorized versions of movies. I'm just wondering if anyone would enjoy seeing George's movies such as "No Limit" in color? I know a lot of people don't like this idea of putting classic films in color, but George Formby would probably made more popular if his movies were distributed in color in the USA and probably in other countries too...

Hello Formby film fans!
Before you all get carried away with this a little word of caution. No Limit is under copyright and tinkering with it and re-authoring to DVD will infringe the copyright. I would hate to see anyone come un-stuck as result of enthusiasm for our George’s flicks but please be careful what you get up to. Copyight film law is a complex subject so please take care my friend.

But, I do take my hat off to Dandu for your enthusiasm for the colorization process which I have also had an interest since the 80’s. Top of the list Formby film wise for me may have been George in Civvy Street though as the dream sequence was ear market for colour when it was in pre production and ideal for a short colorized process today to put the film into its original intended form perhaps. In the 90’s I did get hold of a tinted version of the film but it would be so nice to have the dream sequence in semi full colour.

Sony now distribute Civvy Street so who knows, perhaps one day Legend Films will land the job to colorize the dream sequence as mentioned on my shooting script.

[dandu]

Well, you came in two years too late, mate. I am up to frame number 5243 as I write this. I better post some new screenshots of my progress.

Here is the latest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25208393@N03/4524137909/

[davebscout]

Well, you came in two years too late, mate. I am up to frame number 5243 as I write this. I better post some new screenshots of my progress.

Here is the latest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25208393@N03/4524137909/

Looks pretty good.

Only another 75,000 or so frames to do

Good Luck

Dave Barwick
Keighley

[Ukulele Boy]

Well, you came in two years too late, mate. I am up to frame number 5243 as I write this. I better post some new screenshots of my progress.

Here is the latest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25208393@N03/4524137909/

Hey matey..
That's less than 4 minutes screen time! Will I live long enought to see the results
25 frames per second screen time (TV version)
1500 frames per minute at full frame rate
80 minute film = 120000 frames
That is dedication!

Dandu, will the software not let you colour map a scene or is it a case of doing every frame?
Usually with Colorization you colour a single frame from a colour palette then the software will map the scene for you up to a point. Just curious although you sure deserve a medal for effort.
Top marks!

[Fanlight Fanny]

I completely agree Matt. It seems to suit a lot of these older films. It is a shame that none of George's films were colour though, Powell and Pressburger seemed to be allowed to make most of their 40s films in colour, yet the actual popular films - George's, Gainsborough etc weren't!

Actually, I don't like colourised films. I remember when they coloured the Laurel and Hardy ones, I couldn't help but turn my nose up at them.

I like black and white movies. They have a lovely quality to them - they seem so rich. I can't help watching them, they draw you in more than a colour one. I guess the film they were using back there was a really high quality or something as the lines seem very sharp.

Anyway, to quote Hancock:

'You wouldn't buy a Beethoven painting and start having a go at it, would you?!'

[dandu]

I hope I will finish within the year. College is taking up a lot of time, but yes I started it and I need to keep with it. So, Ukelele Boy, where is your picture from? Is that John E Blakely in the photo?

[Ukulele Boy]

You are in the same boat as me Dandu lad as I am also at College and it sure takes up your time!
10/10 for photo. Left John E. Blakeley aged 46 and reet George Formby aged 29 years. I love these on set photos and I expect John E is telling George in his first talkie he needs to remember the microphone will only just be out of shot and not to speak in the wrong direction. After all, it was Boots Boots his first sound movie and first shown in sunny Burslem in the Picture Palace Cinema which could seat 1200 people. George did say the Cinema was packed so we can guess Boots Boots had nearly 1200 folk watching it. WOW..
Better get on with this essay!

[mattinthehat]

Here's my colorization attempts.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49853797@N02/sets/72157623858706477/

I try not to over-color stuff, but I accept some of these could be better. I tend to leave walls quite plain, and I usually make George's suit basically beige with maybe a brownish or greenish tint. I couldn't imagine colorizing an entire film, at the rate I go it would take me forever.

[dandu]

Your work is fantastic, some looks a bit more realistic than my work. I try my best, I often use the colors that the program uses as default for bits like flesh. I also want to add a bit of vibrancy to make sure the color comes across on most TV sets. I used blander colors before but they did not come out right on a regular screen. At least it looks better than my first attempts. If you looked at page one of my thread you can see some of the first attempts.

[dandu]

Matt, what program do you use? I use Akvis Coloriage.