Written by on Jul 31, 2014. Posted in On Location

Leading directors convince US studios to commit to Kodak motion picture film

A group of leading Hollywood filmmakers have successfully convinced the major US studios to help ailing film stock manufacturer Eastman Kodak and keep the company in business. The studios will likely commit to purchasing film each year, despite the rise of digital movie-making.

Kodak filed for bankruptcy in January 2012 after years spent struggling to adapt to the digital filmmaking revolution as its motion picture film sales fell by a staggering 96%. The company re-emerged in September last year announcing a renewed focus on imaging for business but in recent weeks was considering closing its headquarters in Rochester, New York.

Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan and JJ Abrams are among the high-profile filmmakers who have helped convince the studios to making purchasing commitments to Kodak, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“After extensive discussions with filmmakers, leading studios and others who recognise the unique artistic and archival qualities of film, we intend to continue production,” said Jeff Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of Kodak: “Kodak thanks these industry leaders for their support and ingenuity in finding a way to extend the life of film.”

Kodak filed for bankruptcy in January 2012 after years spent struggling to adapt to the digital filmmaking revolution.

The development reaffirms that Hollywood’s most powerful filmmakers have real sway in technical matters of this nature, with the major studios keen to keep high-profile directors happy.

Christopher Nolan is perhaps the biggest name in Hollywood to specifically shun 3D and instead advocate the expensive IMAX film format. The filmmaker helped boost the mainstream appeal of IMAX by using it for lengthy sequences of The Dark Knight trilogy. JJ Abrams has made a similar move, shooting Star Wars: Episode VII on film and partly in the IMAX format.

(Image: Warner Bros Pictures/Legendary Pictures)