Rsat Global Communications Network has completed its first 4K restoration project, on behalf of Cohen Films and Finishing Post Productions, bringing the Alfred Hitchcock classic, Jamaica Inn, back to its former glory.
The original nitrate negatives were sourced from the BFI, and scanned at 4K resolution using the ArriScan to create a DPX file sequence. The elements were suffering from shrinkage and warping, and because of this had to be scanned without pin registration.
The 4K sequence required huge amounts of stabilisation to combat the shrinkage, and the team at RRsat also had to deal with the effects of image warping, which needed to be electronically pinned in order to prevent images bouncing around the screen. These issues required multiple software fixes on a frame-by-frame basis before the dirt and scratch removal could begin.
After the pre-fix, RRsat undertook more traditional restoration techniques, with software packages including PFClean, AfterFX and Dark Energy used to treat the dirt and scratches. Grain treatment was undertaken for the audio, and RRsat’s senior audio technician was brought in to remove unwanted ‘crackles and pops’, whilst digitising the audio in the process.
Matt Bowman, commercial director, RRsat commented: “Jamaica Inn was the last Hitchcock film to be made in the UK, and we certainly took pride in creating a master of the highest quality. Our award-winning colourist was drafted in to grade it on our DaVinci Resolve system, which produced some of the best restoration work we’ve achieved so far. FPP were on hand to attend the grade and playout, to ensure the theatrical integrity of the project.
“Bringing this classic back to life demonstrates why 4K is a technique we’ll be using for plenty of future projects.”
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