cinematography
|
Here is a quick look at some of the most frequent ones I'm asked:
What is the difference between film and video?
Both film and video have their purpose in present day productions. It seems as though film tends to be used for high-end productions and video tends to be used primarily for corporate films, low-budget commercials, and news gathering.Why does a movie rented from the local video store look so good when played back on your VCR. Then, when you look at footage shot on your personal camcorder, it looks so bad?
My preference is film because it allows for much greater control over the depth-of-field (the areas in focus), whereas video tends to hold everything in focus. Film also has a greater range for capturing the brightness and contrast areas of a scene.
Compare a picture you took with your 35mm still camera to a picture taken with a digital camera or camcorder? The differnces are astounding. This is one of the reasons film is the preferred origination format for all future delivery formats.
HDTV
Q: What is HDTV?
A: HDTV stands for high definition television. Its the highest quality digital TV format available.Q: Is HDTV going to replace film?
A: As an origination format, film will be around for a long time. As a delivery format, HDTV has a promising future. Many movies will continue to be shot on film and then transfered to HDTV for television broadcast. There are some TV shows originating on HDTV and are satisfied with the results. As far as I know, there hasn't been a major, theatrically released motion picture originated on HDTV yet. George Lucas taped his newest Star Wars movie in HDTV.Many critics say its difficult to describe how productions originated on HDTV "look." Some say HDTV looks like very good video. Others say it looks like extra crisp film. I feel that HDTV is another tool for the cinematographer and it is a great format for many appliations.
Q: Is origination on HDTV cheaper than originating on film?
A: According to some recent articles in Milimeter Magazine and Videography Magazine, two televison shows that have switched from 35mm film to HDTV origination have realized hardly any cost savings. In some cases, the costs were higher than film origination due to the expensive post-production requirements of HDTV.The ever-changing landscape of technology seems to make video formats change rapidly. Whenever a new video standard is introduced, massive "hype" spreads through the air. TV was predicted to kill radio. The VCR was predicted to kill the movie theater. And now HDTV is predicted to replace film.
I know some people that have spent over $120,000 to get outfitted with new HDTV camcorders. After only a couple of years, the new progressive-scan HDTV format came out and now they are trying to sell their cameras so they can upgrade. Time after time, film can still be converted and screened nearly anywhere in the world.Motion picture film is still the preferred origination format for feature films, In fact, many HDTV originated shows still transfer to film negative for archival purposes. Film is remains the only format for capturing extreme slow-motion shots (like explosions, etc..) and time-lapse shots.
Q: What are some productions presently being originated on HDTV?
A: The new Star Wars movie; Star Trek: Earth Final Conflict; and Titus.Super16 Film
Q: What is Super16?
A: Go to this web site for the answers: Super16 GuideQ: What productions are being originated on Super16mm film?
A: Sex in the City, Touhced by an Angel, Dawson's Creek, Roswell. Motion pictures include: Best in Show; Chasing Amy; Leaving Las Vegas; Ulli's Gold; Spike Lee's Get on the Bus; and Prefontane.
Digital Video (Mini DV, DVCAM, DVC Pro, etc) The quality of Digital Video has quickly acheived that of Betacam SP. Since DV has a softer look, it tends to look more "film like." Also, the tapes are cheaper than Betacam formats and allow much longer record times. Their small size helps shooting discreetly without attracting much attention.
Q: Why are some low-budget feature films being shot on Mini DV? I've heard that you can transfer Mini DV to 35mm film,does it look good?
A: Have you ever sat about 2-feet from a TV screen and saw all those lines? That's what DV will look like when transfered to film. Unfortunatly, the resolution isn't there yet.Budget is the primary reason that many independent pieces are being shot on DV. There is often much disappointment when its transfered to film. Also, the costs to transfer to film are so expensive that if a transfer from video to film is in the future, there is no cost savings.
"Film look" process in post-Production
Q: Why do so many people try to give video a "film look?"
A: Film has a more organic and pleasing "feel." Many folks feel video tends to look "too crisp". Video is the preferred format for news shows so a video show feels like a "live event." People associate video with lower-budgets so by making it look more film-like, it raises the production value.
Then of course there is the saying:
A love scene shot on video is considered "Porn." A love scene shot on film is considered "Art." —Adam Berman