Bob Shell Interview
The Bob Shell Interview
Bob Shell is known throughout the world as an expert in the craft
of photography. He has written several technical volumes, and is
currently the editor of Shutterbug magazine. He is also one of
the few qualified experts to have directly examined pieces of film
from the Santilli Roswell footage. This interview, while brief,
reveals his findings to date.
TGR: We know that the edge markings reveal the film came from either 1927, 47, or
67. You have arrived at the conclusion that the stock could not have come from
1967, what technical details reveal this?
Bob Shell: Kodak changed ALL 16 mm films in 1957. This was because they switched to a
new set of processing chemicals which worked at a higher temperature and were
more caustic. This was done to shorten processing time. It required a change
from Cellulose Acetate Propionate as a film base material to Triacetate, since
the older Propionate type would not take the high temperature. We have
chemically verified that the film samples I have are on a Cellulose Acetate
Propionate base.
TGR: Some debunkers have said that the strips of film you have don't show anything
resembling the autopsy, or the examination room, and therefore could be from
another film altogether. Could you explain what you have for strips, and what the
subjects are?
Bob Shell: I have two strips of film, three frames each. One shows (apparently) the
empty autopsy room prior to the procedure. It is hard to tell anything since
the lights are turned off in the room. The other strip shows the doorway into
the autopsy room, and is on the video. I am promised a longer strip with the
alien on it, but have not gotten it as yet.
TGR: Of course the age of the stock is only half of the problem. Would it be possible
to find some well perserved stock and expose it in this day and age?
Bob Shell: You could possibly find some old 1947 film and expose it today. However it
would be very brittle and might not feed through the camera. Also it would have
significant fog, which this film does not show. And it would be VERY difficult
to duplicate the old developing chemicals used back then. It could not be
developed in modern chemicals.
TGR: Could the stock itself have been physically altered to resemble 1947 film?
Bob Shell: Anything is possible if you have enough money. You would have to find a
film factory willing to undertake the project, and would have to find some
Cellulose Acetate Propionate for film base. Not an easy project, but remotely
possible.
TGR: The visual quality of this footage is, despite some focusing problems, very
clear. When compared with other archive footage, some might say too clear. Is
the quality consistent with the equipment in use in 1947?
Bob Shell: People tend to underestimate 1940s optical technology. Lenses from the 40s
were darned good, and I have seen footage from this period which is as good and
some which is better.
It should be noted that Bob Shell is writing the only authorized book on the
footage. The book will, at press time, contain an interview with the cameraman.
Whether or not this factor indicates a possible bias towards the films validity
is not clear. In this author's opinion, given the importance of the film if proven
true, more independent examiners need to become involved.
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