A group of silent era films were discovered recently. Among them was, "Birth of a Hat", an industrial short from Stetson. The National Film Preservation Foundation is working to restore and preserve this film. At first I thought it was the same film I had found and posted on in this thread > http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?42123-The-Making-of-a-Stetson-1925 .
I was sent some shots from the film and it is not the same film. Some if it may be the same footage, but there were enough differences to peak my interest. I received the below email from Annette Melville with some more details on the process. I've also posted the shots I received.
Here is a link to a webpage where you can donate to this restoration > http://www.filmpreservation.org/support/help-save-lost-film-nz
B
"Dear Bill,
What a perfect time to inquire about The BIRTH OF A HAT, the fascinating 1920 industrial film from the Stetson Company uncovered in New Zealand! The film details how the company made its famous hats--from the creation of felt to the selling of the latest styles.
We are thrillled that you are interested in underwriting the film's preservation. The preservation work is expected to cost around $6,000. The film is in the queue at Colorlab in Maryland. UCLA Film & Television Archive is supervising the preservation; it will receive the final preservation master and print.
Complete, tinted, good-quality industrial films from the silent era are among rarest of the rare--and this one is in great shape and fun to boot. It is sure to screen in festivals and at archival screenings. We also plan to make it available for free viewing from the NFPF Web site. If you are able to help fund this film, we would add a special introductory credit acknowledging your support.
Another plus: The film is part of our Save America's Treasures project, a federal grant project that requires a one-to-one match of private funding. Thus a gift to save THE BIRTH OF A HAT will help us leverage an additional $6,000 in federal support to save other films recovered from New Zealand. And goodness knows there are lots!
Would you like to see more stills from the film or receive more information about the NFPF? Just say the word and I'll send some stills as a zip file and send our annual report.
Again, thanks so much for getting in touch. Your help on this film would be hugely appreciated.
Best,
Annette
Annette Melville
National Film Preservation Foundation
870 Market Street, Suite 1113
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.392.7292
melville@filmpreservation.org"
I was sent some shots from the film and it is not the same film. Some if it may be the same footage, but there were enough differences to peak my interest. I received the below email from Annette Melville with some more details on the process. I've also posted the shots I received.
Here is a link to a webpage where you can donate to this restoration > http://www.filmpreservation.org/support/help-save-lost-film-nz
B
"Dear Bill,
What a perfect time to inquire about The BIRTH OF A HAT, the fascinating 1920 industrial film from the Stetson Company uncovered in New Zealand! The film details how the company made its famous hats--from the creation of felt to the selling of the latest styles.
We are thrillled that you are interested in underwriting the film's preservation. The preservation work is expected to cost around $6,000. The film is in the queue at Colorlab in Maryland. UCLA Film & Television Archive is supervising the preservation; it will receive the final preservation master and print.
Complete, tinted, good-quality industrial films from the silent era are among rarest of the rare--and this one is in great shape and fun to boot. It is sure to screen in festivals and at archival screenings. We also plan to make it available for free viewing from the NFPF Web site. If you are able to help fund this film, we would add a special introductory credit acknowledging your support.
Another plus: The film is part of our Save America's Treasures project, a federal grant project that requires a one-to-one match of private funding. Thus a gift to save THE BIRTH OF A HAT will help us leverage an additional $6,000 in federal support to save other films recovered from New Zealand. And goodness knows there are lots!
Would you like to see more stills from the film or receive more information about the NFPF? Just say the word and I'll send some stills as a zip file and send our annual report.
Again, thanks so much for getting in touch. Your help on this film would be hugely appreciated.
Best,
Annette
Annette Melville
National Film Preservation Foundation
870 Market Street, Suite 1113
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.392.7292
melville@filmpreservation.org"
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