Black Swan / 16mm, DSLR Quality better?

It's almost IMPOSSIBLE to get subway permits. You need super expensive insurance, permits, you have to pay transit employees triple overtime to escort you, and you cant DO anything.... they wont clear a train car, they wont stop train traffic, and they certainly wont close a station for you.
 
TimurCivan said:
It's almost IMPOSSIBLE to get subway permits. You need super expensive insurance, permits, you have to pay transit employees triple overtime to escort you, and you cant DO anything.... they wont clear a train car, they wont stop train traffic, and they certainly wont close a station for you.
Click to expand...

Ta Da!!!

www.cbssc.com/images/subway_car_photos.pdf


Not saying they shouldn't have done it, since it worked and all, but I've seen MUCH smaller productions shoot on subway mockup stages.
 
I thought I used to like Aronofsky, I think I've realized last year that's it's not aronofsky I like, (actually have grown not to stand him) rather I've been watching libatique the whole time. Sorry if this doesn't have to do with the thread, but it is libatique's work we're talking about. I'd thought the grain in Pi before was something. I lost my mind and the option in my head for it being intentional happened when I figured this is the same guy that shot phone booth and iron man. To shoot those two flicks and be aronofsky's dp is really one of the most impressive things I've found out. Also thought the guy was well over 50, then I see him in an interview. I almost sold every piece of gear I had.

On using DSLR's for run and gun scenes, after a good 2 years of intensely shooting with one, as far as my preference goes, I'm actually waiting for a 2/3" camera as small as a dslr. After a while with aps-c mft and god forbid full frame, i've missed sharpness and the ability to handle a camera on my own. Why would they cut aps-c with 16mm instead of 2/3"? Come to think of it I don't think I know of any 2/3" cams the size of a dslr other than the a-cam dii.

Sorry for the very very very spacey post that prolly doesn't have to do with much, I've had no power on my street since 6 yesterday and it's literally over 120 degrees here. Having my first coffee to wake up.

Is aronofsky up for superman or did that go to someone else? can't remember.
 
jerum3030 said:
Come on now gentlemen, we have to acknowledge that the use of the HDSLR in black swan was primarily a marketing exercise.
I mean really, come on, what was the point of shooting such a small amount of the film on the HDSLR's ?
Did it really add that much to the story?

It seems to me that we all know what happened behind the scenes that were shot on HDSLR's, but we pay less attention to what these scenes were actually about.
These scenes were mainly just an ad for this new technology.
They are a statement from the filmmakers that "wow check it out! We were using cutting edge technology when we made this film! And so can you!"
Click to expand...

Do you really believe that? I do not think that a cinematographer of the caliber of Matthew Libatique, ASC would use any camera, especially a HD-DSLR, unless he was absolutely sure that the images that camera produced were consistent with a well thought out visual design and production aesthetic. It is my understanding that the visual design and production aesthetic of "Black Swan" was towards a visual spontaneity, which was partly facilitated by the use of the smaller, more portable, Super 16mm equipment. I believe that the use of the HD-DSLRs fit right into the visual design and production aesthetic of "Black Swan" and that was why it was chosen, and why it was decided to shoot in the manner they did on the NYC subways. If there must be nefarious, or ulterior motives to the use of the HD-DSLRs in "Black Swan", I would think that they are more in the filmmaker's desire to experiment, and push the technological envelope, for the pure joy of trying something new. I can see the conversations now.... "Dude, let's take Natalie Portman into the subway and shot her with an HD-DSLR!"... "Oh Dude, I am so down with that!".... However, I have absolutely no doubt that if the footage they shot with the HD-DSLRs was not consistent with the visual design and production aesthetic of the film, it would not have been used. PERIOD. Members of the ASC do not play games with their images.
 
Last edited:
Film resembles our minds imagination the most and 16mm stands out as an "artsy" medium. Sag handles film shoots and Aftra handles video shoots. That might have influenced the situation. I love the dream like look myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top