Page 15 - 2015-03

Kodak to Continue Making Movie Film

The Eastman Kodak Co will continue to make motion
picture film in the age of digital filmmaking after reach-
ing new supply agreements with the major Hollywood
studios. The photography and film pioneer had been in
talks with the studios, as well as several filmmakers
including Quentin Tarantino, Judd Apatow and Christo-
pher Nolan, to keep movie film alive after seeing sales
fall 96 per cent since 2006.

The agreements call for Kodak to continue to supply motion picture film to 20th Century Fox,
Walt Disney Co, Warner Bros Entertainment, NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures and Sony
Pictures. Without the pacts, production of motion picture film, which Kodak began in 1896, was
in danger of being halted. Competitor Fujifilm stopped production of movie film in 2013.

“Film has long been - and will remain - a vital part of our culture”. Kodak Chief Executive Jeff
Clarke said in a statement. “With the support of the studios, we will continue to provide motion
picture film, with its unparalleled richness and unique textures, to enable filmmakers to tell
their stories and demonstrate their art”. Details of the agreements were not released but cover
multiple years, according to Kodak.

Three of last year's eight best-picture Oscar nominees - Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel,
and The Imitation Game - were shot on Kodak film, Kodak spokesman Christopher Veronda said.

Several movies due out in 2015, including Mission: Impossible 5 and Star Wars: Episode VII - The
Force Awakens, are being produced on film. "Enabling artists to use film will help them to create
the moments that make cinema history", said Andrew Evenski, Kodak's president of Entertain-
ment Commercial Films. "The agreements ... are a powerful testament to the power of film and
the creative vision of the artists telling them".

Founded by George Eastman
in 1880, Kodak is credited
with popularising photogra-
phy at the start of the 20th
century, but its revenues to-
day are primarily from com-
mercial imaging. Film now
provides less than 10 per
cent of company revenues.

Source:
Skynews.com.au

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