Messages for me

Thanks for the post, Arthur Lawrence

When I think about all of the times that I’ve seen a message on my computer that says Click Here, it’s almost too many to count. Every time that I go to a website it seems to have something pop up that says to click somewhere. I have to tell you, I’ve actually followed the link to a lot of these sites, and most of the time it’s one of those claims that seems to be too good to be true and then it actually is. But, I’m a sucker for trying- jus t in case I miss something that I regret missing later! The above link is for Satellite, which I purchased and LOVE. I’ve also gotten a few free movies from Red Box out of the deal. So far, I haven’t gotten any sort of virus on my computer, but my dad keeps telling me I have to be careful not to ‘trust’ sites that I don’t know anything about. I’m not going to lie- I’ll probably keep clicking until something bad happens—I just love a good deal that much!

Bray Project: 28mm Transfers

Here at the Bray Animation Project, we have in our possession approximately forty films in the 28mm format. 28mm is a now-obscure and obsolete film gauge developed in the early 1910s as an alternative to theatrical 35mm film. It was also designed as perhaps the first non-flammable safety film stock which could be shown safely in schools, homes, churches, and other establishments that did not have fireproof projection booths.

It appears J.R. Bray made an agreement with United Projector and Film Corporation (and possibly other companies) sometime in the late 1910s to the early 1920s to distribute his studios' films in the 28mm format. Thankfully, while sometimes fragile, many of these prints have survived today for the simple reason that they are safety prints and are not subject to the far-worse deterioration that most nitrate prints will experience over time. You can read more about the United prints on this page of the Bray Animation Project website.

Thankfully, a hoard of 28mm films were found and sold on the public market last year and this provided, so far, the full extent of our 28mm Bray films collection. The films were in varying condition with the worst problem being shrinkage in some of the prints, which is thankfully 'relaxed' and partially solved with camphor treatments. Other than that, the prints were in relatively good shape, simply needing extensive cleaning.

With the help of a few colleagues, two of the prints have been professionally transferred to video so far. It is a painstaking and very costly process, so it may be some time before more of these prints are converted. For your enjoyment, below are some framegrabs from the two prints that have been transferred.

The original canisters for both films:



Bobby Bumps Gets a Substitute (1916)





Bobby Bumps' Incubator (1918)

Unique Halloween Costumes

It's no secret that yours truly is a big fan of the holidays, especially Halloween. I've always been fascinated by the decor, holiday traditions, and especially the costumes that folks come up with for this favorite holiday. Obviously, Halloween this year is still at least a couple months away but it's never foolish to start planning your Halloween Costumes early! Are YOU thinking of planning your costume early?

Maybe I can help with a few ideas. In the past, I've dressed up as Charlie Chaplin, Bozo the Clown, and simply an old man--a very easy costume to put together. There are so many different possibilites...Childrens Costumes are just as varied these days, and so are Plus size Costumes!

In my research, I've come across a great supplier of a most varied selection of costumes for the holiday. HalloweenAdventures.com has been in business since 1981 and boasts over 10,000 items in its online catalog. From costumes and accessories to decor...and even items for pets, it's truly your one stop shop for unique Halloween party supplies.