Pepper post work goes down a storm at BBC2

Pepper, one of the leading broadcast television and film post-production facilities, have completed all picture post-production work on BBC2’s forthcoming film 'The Gathering Storm', from Labrador Productions.
Already noted as a strong Emmy contender, the film stars Albert Finney as Winston Churchill in the mid–1930’s, and follows his advocacy of opposition to Nazi Germany and his struggle to persuade critics of the dangers – all the while trying re-building his relationship with his wife, Clementine, played by Vanessa Redgrave. The film is scheduled to air on BBC2 on Friday 12th July 2002.
Vince Narduzzo, Senior Colourist and Chairman of Pepper, completed the grading using the Spector, scanning the 35mm material from Spirit. The film was scanned open gate, allowing the original aspect ratio 1:185 and all other aspect ratios to be accessed from the one pass.
A section of reel one was transferred twice - the first pass was at 1080i, the second was scanned in at 2k and then down converted to 1080i - in order to evaluate any differences in quality before commencing the grading process; it was found that the quality was far superior going the converted 2k route.
Narduzzo found this process eliminated the need to run the film up and down, which reduced the problem of dirt and meant that there was no need to hang up the reels. Richard Loncraine, Director and Peter Hannan, Director of Photography, were also pleased with the result.
"I first worked with Vince on 'Withnail and I', he did an excellent job as colourist on that project and I was very pleased to get him for 'The Gathering Storm'," said Hannan.
"He is inventive, creative and gave the film a very polished look. I have nothing but praise for his work, and he’s a great bloke too."
Vince Narduzzo said: "'The Gathering Storm' is a moving, intelligent and beautiful film. It was a privilege to be a part of the creative process and an honour to be working with such brilliant, respected talent; and doing a theatrical grading using state-of-the-art technology was the cherry on top."
Pepper, www.pepperpost.tv
(GMcG)