Minnie the Moocher Restoration Update (Patreon)

Typically on a restoration project, I try to improve the opening credits/sequence as much as possible. This helps me develop the workflow that I will utilize for the rest of the restoration. 

This update took a week of work and much problem solving to begin to develop a possible workflow for this film. The major problems in this print are the degree of flickering, it's graininess, and general damage. Fixing each of these on their own introduces other problems (e.g., loss of sharpness). Fixing all together, compounds these problems.

Here is my progress to date on the opening sequence. As you can see, the flicker has been greatly reduced as well as the other damage. I've also stabilized and cropped the footage too. 

When compared to Olive Films FHD restoration, you can see that their film has a sharper image; however, no obvious attempt at restoration appears to have been done to their print as all the damage is still present (though I suspect that they added a layer of fine grain). 

The trick is finding the right balance between reduces the bad elements and preserving the good elements. I have not found that balance yet.