Russ Scheller got his first job at the printing department of WRS in Pittsburgh, PA at age 22. Over the next 36 years, he worked his way through quality control for chemical and photographic, finally becoming VP of Operations. Today he’s the President and principal founder of Summit Film Lab & Media Services.

“I’m a hands-on guy,” says Scheller. “I’m the one they call if there’s a mechanical problem, so a lot of times I’ll be there with my sleeves rolled up and a wrench in my hands.” That’s what customers seem to know and like about Summit and its staff of 24 employees.

Scheller bought his lab equipment from WRS and is renting space in the same building. He says Summit may eventually move and is in the process of seeking a new location.

The laboratory has found success as an affordable photochemical restoration house. Summit is owned by Media Holding, which has two companies located in a 5,000 square foot facility at the limestone mines in Boyers, PA. There is a tremendous amount of film, microfilm and videos stored at the mines and Summit offers services of evaluation, duplication and production.

The Summit facility in Pittsburgh offers black & white/color processing and printing for 16mm, Super16mm and 35mm film as well as optical blowups and titling services. Telecine transfer, conforming, editing services and sound transfers are also offered. The lab would like to attract more independent filmmakers, as it already has a very good reputation with film schools around the country.

Russ had contact with the ACVL early in his career while attending Kodak demonstrations in Rochester, NY. He remembers when 5384 had an issue that caused dissolves and fades to go green. “As it turns out, it was an issue with the film, but labs were getting around the problem by making a filter. It was clear in the middle, blue on either side and as the fader closed down, it would allow less blue light, until clear. That’s what solved it, at least until Kodak was able to find a solution in the manufacturing of the film. “I was amazed at the knowledge of other lab people and ACVL members attending the session and the information that was being shared”

Scheller joined the ACVL board January 1, 2003. He can’t say enough about the value of being a member for the contact and information sharing among member labs. “I think it’s very critical that the labs communicate. That’s why I got involved with ACVL.” Scheller continued, “In order to stay a viable organization, you’ve got to get new blood and get people involved. I think if you have a lab, you need to be in the ACVL.”

When he’s not working, Russ spends time with his wife Susan, who he married 34 years ago. His two sons and daughter live close by, and the grandkids are definitely the apple of his eye. He’s devoted to the lab business and it takes a lot of his time, but you can tell this is a man walking his talk. Russ’s attitude is reflected in the company’s tag line: “Summit Film, where quality and service reach new heights.”

He’ll always be raising the bar.