Blowing up to 35mm in 4:3

JoeFowler

JoeFowler

Well-known member
I'm shooting a film in 24p that would look better in 4:3 then in widescreen, I'm thinking. My question to you all is this: if I had to blow it up to 35mm, does it have to be 16x9 or can it be 4:3?
Joe
 
35mm is basically a 4:3 aspect ratio, but the gates in the projector will crop it to 1.85. You can always go to film where the 4:3 fits inside the 1.85 with some slight pillar-boxing on the sides.

Michael
 
Every projector in every cinema should have gates from 1:1.33 (TV 4:3) to 1:1.85 or even 1:2.35. So there is no difference.
 
16x9 in Luka's terminology would be considered 1.78:1.
Do projectors commonly have a 1.78 gate? I thought that aspect was mostly used for TV.
 
1:1.77 was an British version of 1:1.85 which is an American format. 1:1.77 is no longer used as a camera gate but 1:1.66 is still comonly used. Just before the HDV indrodction it was considered as an option for digital cinematography as 14:9. Fortunatly the decided that 16:9 is better. Just think how close we were to 10 years more waiting for a normal image format just like we waited more than 30 years for HD to become a standard.

As an answer. Most of the projectors should have gates like 1:1.33/1:1.66/1:1.77/1:1.85 or 1:1.88 (sometimes happens) plus Cinemascope (1:2.35)
 
Sooo, the answer is that I can shoot 4:3 and still be ok if there is a need to Blow up to 35mm?
 
Joe--
Please excuse us all for turning the direction of your thread. What can I say? I was curious.
The answer is Yes... You should shoot 4:3 but have a clear idea of what aspect you wish to use
and frame for that aspect ratio.. crop the images in post but still shoot 4:3.
 
That's cool, it happens all the time here, I was just confused by some of the terminology I was unfamiliar with and wasn't sure the question was answered somewhere in there! Thanks for your help everyone, always greatly appreciated!
Joe
 
You should consult the transfer facility you are planning to use A.S.A.P. before you begin the project. Most of the houses I've talked to recommend shooting 4:3 to get the full resolution of the chip and will crop to 1:85 during the transfer (when that is applicable).

Sad state of film presentation is that ultimatly your frameing is in the hands of the projectionist, who has to get back and make more popcorn!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top