I really truly believe that film is out the door. Robert Rodriquez (everybody's favorite) claimed a few years ago, "why would you shoot on film? You can shoot Hi-Def and make it look exactly like the film plus you get all the benefits of shooting on tape." And I don't think that was necessarily true three years ago. But seeing some of the things coming out of this site, with the HVX and the 35mm adapters and the advancing in color correcting tools/skills, I think what he's said is finally true. I believe the only people who continue to shoot on film will be older directors who fear it and believe it's in some way inorganic, and people who just aren't techically savvy at all. A year ago when I started thinking about shooting my movie, I spent countless nights debating whether I should try to drum up more money so I could shoot on film. Now, it's not even a thought. It's not even half a thought. Digital all the way baby!
bye bye film
- Thread starter c.g._eads
- Start date
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
c.g._eads said:
Yeah, but with this combo, what you save on film, you spend on electricity just to light enough for an exposure.
Oooo, zing!
Thomas J. O'Hara
Senior Citizen
ehhh, film still looks better IMO
Brandon Rice
Distributed Producer
Agreed... digital is the wave of the future... as well as removable media... no more tapes...
Blaine
Mr. Hollywood
People have been preparing film's epitaph for years. I believe there will always be a place for film perhaps in a diminished role, but a place nonetheless. If I had the budget to shoot on film, I'd love to. I think there are a lot of people out there who would love to shoot on film on someone else's dime. :thumbsup:
Mark Harris said:Yeah, but with this combo, what you save on film, you spend on electricity just to light enough for an exposure.
Oooo, zing!
Are you serious or is this a joke? I know nothing about the cost of lights.
I think the fact that tape allows you to keep shooting over and over wihtout stopping is worth the "perceived" downgraded image. But, I don't think that image is downgraded anymore.
aaron_wade
Well-known member
IMO, some of the above statements are correct. But, you have to keep one thing in mind. They're not using the hd cams that you may have in mind. Instead, they're renting the Genesis and Viper cams. Every story is not made for dv or hd format. I agree, shooting film is more of a challenge. On the other hand, it teaches one discipline. A lot of people shoot dv and don't even end up with enough coverage shots. I prefer to shoot on film; total control over colors w/ the da vinci. I believe if you want to shoot on film, you will find a way.
GageFX
Carbonite Member
I, unfortunately, dont think Rodriguez is the one to look to. Yes, he's making strides and furthering technology and pushing the limits, but with what? Mexico? (I have a severe love/hate thing with R.R. I want to love him and enjoy most of what he puts out, but there is something I cant identify that keeps me from really being on his side.) I would look more towards Michael Mann. Certainly not Lucas.
What the hell were we talking about?
Oh yeah.
I've been shooting still digital for about 7 years. I started when the first 35mm slr body digitals (2mp) were $25,000. I had the first Nikon D1 as well as the Minolta RD3000 (ikes) and now shoot Canon. There isnt anything in the world that will get me to go back to film. I never shot film professionally, and my 8mp backup body exceeds 35mm quality. My 16mp primary body exceeds medium format. Why would I shoot film? If I moved up, and I see no need to but probably will, it will be to a medium format digital with 22mp+. But film. Why?
When I was 11 and in the family darkroom, which I still have, and I saw my first images appear before my eyes, it was magical. There is no magic anymore. Art? The art is in the lighting and composition, not in the developing/printing, and if that is used for the art, then the digital darkroom is just as artistic. Every once in a while I get the thought - "Hey, I think I want to grab a med format body and shoot some film.
But why?
Motion pictures will get to the same place. The technology will surpass film and the majority will switch over. There will be the hold overs - film works for them - and there will be the "artists" - the one's who are so pretentious that they think it's the film that makes the difference.
Technology changes, so will the film industry, and there will be those who fight it. The rest will embrace and rejoice.
That said, I dont think now is the time. Within 5 years, though. Certainly enough for the biggies to experiment with the top tier equipment and great equipment on the low end for us shlubs to play with. In 5 years this wont be a debate. More than 50% will be digital. (Just an opinion and prediction. Dont get your panties in a bunch.)
-GageFX
What the hell were we talking about?
Oh yeah.
I've been shooting still digital for about 7 years. I started when the first 35mm slr body digitals (2mp) were $25,000. I had the first Nikon D1 as well as the Minolta RD3000 (ikes) and now shoot Canon. There isnt anything in the world that will get me to go back to film. I never shot film professionally, and my 8mp backup body exceeds 35mm quality. My 16mp primary body exceeds medium format. Why would I shoot film? If I moved up, and I see no need to but probably will, it will be to a medium format digital with 22mp+. But film. Why?
When I was 11 and in the family darkroom, which I still have, and I saw my first images appear before my eyes, it was magical. There is no magic anymore. Art? The art is in the lighting and composition, not in the developing/printing, and if that is used for the art, then the digital darkroom is just as artistic. Every once in a while I get the thought - "Hey, I think I want to grab a med format body and shoot some film.
But why?
Motion pictures will get to the same place. The technology will surpass film and the majority will switch over. There will be the hold overs - film works for them - and there will be the "artists" - the one's who are so pretentious that they think it's the film that makes the difference.
Technology changes, so will the film industry, and there will be those who fight it. The rest will embrace and rejoice.
That said, I dont think now is the time. Within 5 years, though. Certainly enough for the biggies to experiment with the top tier equipment and great equipment on the low end for us shlubs to play with. In 5 years this wont be a debate. More than 50% will be digital. (Just an opinion and prediction. Dont get your panties in a bunch.)
-GageFX