A REPORT FROM THE MEETING: Interest was high as Video Club members and friends attending our May 8, 2024 General Meeting listened to and watched filmmaker/videographer Robert Bontrager discuss the stunning improvements he made using artificial intelligence and other modern restoration tools on an old VHS tape of a movie, “One Split Second,” which he and his crew shot on a miniscule budget in 1995. The original 16mm film has been lost, Bontrager explained, but he considered the film’s story and cast performances worth saving. In the long process (which he carried out over two years in his spare time), Bontrager achieved results that are sparking interest, not only in the film but in new film restoration possibilities.
Many in the audience asked for the link Bontrager shared (see photo) to a section of his website which gives full details about the film and its restoration. Here’s the link: https://rwb134.wixsite.com/onesplitsecond/ Only a few stills from the restoration are available on the site. However, Bontrager has included a link which he promises will take viewers to the film when it is available for public viewing.
Bontrager’s presentation was video-recorded by Jack Crawbuck and will be placed on the club’s YouTube channel soon for public viewing, along with other General Meeting programs.
Your Videogram editor took this photo from Bontrager’s website to hint at the restoration’s quality.
At the Video Club’s General Meeting on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in the Video Lab, our guest speaker, filmmaker and videographer Robert Bontrager, will share how AI helped him restore and enhance an old poor-quality video on VHS tape. Refreshments and socializing at 6:30 pm, program at 7 pm. Open without charge to all Village residents and their guests. Note that resident I.D. is required at Gate 12.
What can you do with Artificial Intelligence and Video?
Robert Bontrager knows first-hand! While a college student many years ago, he made an experimental film. Over the years, the film was lost. All he had was a poor-quality VHS copy of it. Could he restore it using AI?
In fact he not only restored it, he made it significantly better than it was. Starting with the old 4-by-3 video standard, he changed it to the modern 9-by-16 standard. Since the new standard is wider than the old, he used AI to extend the picture on
both sides. Also using AI, he increased the detail to that of high definition.
Hear his story and learn more about using AI to restore old film and video.
A 1991 graduate of Biola University’s film and video program, Upland-based Robert Bontrager has won film festival awards for his short and full-length films. He has worked in film production both independently and at Wild Eye Pictures, Stillwater Productions, and other organizations, including the non-profit Reasons to Believe. He is currently Media Producer for the non-profit ministry, Center For Biblical Unity.
For more information, email videocluboflagunawoods@gmail.com.
videocluboflagunawoods.com 
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