Midwest Film Co. Launches Archive Division

When we purchased the scanner we had set our sights on new clients shooting new stock for current projects. After operating the business for a few months we’ve seen a massive need for archival scans. As the reels of 50s, 60s, 70s, & 80s footage flood in the door we’ve made a commitment to our local community to share, with permission, the wonderful sights (and sounds) of Wichita, KS & the surrounding areas.

We’re excepting 16mm & 35mm film from all over the world but we’re excited to announce a project we’re working on called Wichita Archive. The website will be up early next year but for now we’re housing everything on YouTube. It’s truly amazing to see our city from the past and we hope to share as much of it as possible with everyone out there.

On the DP side of things for me, I’m working on a documentary about a dive bar in Wichita, Kirby’s Beer Store. Here’s some footage from 1978 for you to enjoy. Shot by the late Randall Parker, a local cinematographer, who, I believe, gets credit for lensing the first ever Pizza Hut commercial! We are also remastering Parker’s 1967 feature film “The Shortest Straw” to be released early next year. Be on the lookout for that!