Motion picture film developer

Motion picture film developers develop film material into visible videos and material. They develop the footage into different formats, such as 65-70mm and 8mm, and presentations, such as black and white and colour. They work small cine-films per request of clients.

A motion picture film developer typically does the following:

• Pulls reel of motion-picture film or rack of film strips through trapdoor into darkroom.
• Examines film to determine type processing required, utilizing knowledge of film developing techniques.
• Feels edges of film to detect tears and repairs film, using hand stapler.
• Mounts film in guide slot of developing machine according to length of time required for processing and pulls lever to lower film into processing position.
• Flips switch to start machine that transports film through series of solutions and into drying cabinet to develop and dry film.
• Observes film passing through machine to determine density of image and adjusts machine controls to shorten or lengthen path of film through solutions according to observation.

The following job titles also refer to motion picture film developer:

motion picture film expert
motion picture film technologist
film laboratory expert
motion picture developer
motion picture film technician
motion picture films developer
film lab specialist
motion pictures film developer
film developer
film laboratory specialist
film lab technologist
motion picture film specialist
film laboratory technician
film lab technician
film laboratory developer
film lab expert
film lab developer
film laboratory technologist

No formal educational credential is required to work as a motion picture film developer, however, a course in photography, graphic art or printing may be useful. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Motion picture film developer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to motion picture film developer.

photographic developer
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These occupations require some skills and knowledge of motion picture film developer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of motion picture film developer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

material testing technician
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This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of motion picture film developer.

• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Photographic processing techniques: The different techniques to develop photographic film such as chromogenic positive, Kodachrome and autotype.
• Post-processing of photographs: The characteristics of software and techniques used in post-processing photographs.

These skills are necessary for the role of motion picture film developer.

• Handle chemicals: Safely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.
• Remove film negatives from processing machine: Remove the developed photographic film, now negatives, from the machine and roll them onto a spool.
• Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
• Remove photographic film from camera: Remove the film from its holder in a lightproof room, or darkroom, to prevent light exposure.
• Store negatives: Place the cut photographic film into protective sleeves and store them in a safe manner.
• Monitor film development baths: Place the photographic film in chemical baths with e.g. citric acid and ammonium thiosulfate, monitor temperature and treatment time.
• Mount photographic film in processing machine: Mount the film in the guide slot of the processing machine, pull lever to drop film into processing position.
• Develop film: Prepare tools and developing and printing equipment. Develop and print exposed film using chemicals.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of motion picture film developer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of motion picture film developer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Clean negatives: Clean photographic negatives and film negatives after development with a lint-free cloth to remove any dust or debris.
• Cut photographic film: Cut the photographic film into negatives, each negative representing one photograph or shot.
• Rinse photographic film: Make sure the film dries uniformly by rinsing it in a dilute solution of a non-ionic wetting agent.
• Mix chemicals: Mix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.
• Test chemicals in development baths: Use specialised equipment to test the chemicals in the baths of a film developing machine in order to make sure that they are working properly.
• Perform video editing: Rearrange and edit video footage in the course of the post-production process. Edit the footage using a variety of software, tools, and techniques such as colour correction and effects, speed effects, and audio enhancing.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Soak film in water: Swell the gelatin layer on photographic film by soaking it in water.
• Perform image editing: Edit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.
• Test film processing machines: Use precision instruments to determine the proper operation of photographic film processing machines.
• Create subtitles: Create and write captions that transcribe the dialogue on television or cinema screens in another language, making sure they are synchronised with the dialogue.
• Dry photographic film: Place the photographic film in a dust-free environment to dry.
• Repair photographic film: Detect tears in photographic film, repair them using a hand stapler.

8132 – Photographic products machine operators

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References

1. ESCO
2. Photographic Developer and Printer | Your Career
3. Featured image: Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels