Digital Sprockets trusts Cintel to restore classics of Mexican cinema

The Blackmagic Design scanner and the DaVinci Resolve program allow you to restore several classics of Mexican cinema filmed in 35 mm. during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1980s.

The post-producer Digital Sprockets you are using the scanner Cintel and the program DaVinci Resolve of Blackmagic Design to restore several classics of Mexican cinema filmed in 35 mm. during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1980s.

Digital Sprockets was founded in 1994 by Benjamin Fernández Rodríguez Maribona and has offices in Mexico City and Los Angeles. The company offers film digitization services in RAW 4K (35mm) or 2K (16mm and Super 16) formats with high dynamic range, tape restoration, color grading, post-production, mastering and quality control of DCP files.

Recently, the post-producer has dedicated herself to restore feature films in 4K resolution for one of the most important content-on-demand (VOD) platforms in Mexico, as well as various films from files, a comic film genre typical of that country.

For this purpose, the first step is to verify that they are complete, since scenes are often missing. After marking each roll chronologically, Fernández places them in the Cintel scanner to begin digitizing the negatives.

“I have been using this scanner for years because it is extremely reliable and effective, and it also does not consume as much energy as other similar devices,” says Fernández. “On the other hand, it is very easy to use, and during complex projects, it allows me to work more efficiently.”

Thanks to this device, Digital Sprockets is able to scan two films in 4K resolution per week.

"Being able to perform the restoration automatically is a great advantage. First I digitize all the images and audio, and the next day I take care of the synchronization," explains Fernández. "In addition, the scanner comes with a copy of DaVinci Resolve Studio, which includes exceptional restoration tools. These give me the ability to remove dust, scratches, smudges and other imperfections typically present on this type of film. It is much easier to carry out these tasks."

After cleaning and digitizing the tape, Fernández relies on DaVinci Resolve Studio to grade the images, edit them, and reduce noise.

"DaVinci Resolve Studio is an extraordinary program. It is very easy to use and allows me to do all post-production with a single application," adds Fernández. "It's never been easier to adjust lights and shadows or blend scenes so they flow. Plus, the Fairlight module includes exceptional features to eliminate background noise and balance loudness."

"The Cintel scanner is an essential tool for the work we do at Digital Sprockets. It provides us with everything we need to carry out projects quickly and effectively, which in turn has allowed us to participate in more projects and expand our business over the years," he concludes.