Did they use a denoiser in Public Enemies (2009)?

[ironpony]

It looks like literally the whole movie has been denoised. I was curious cause most big budget Hollywood movies do not use that. But the picture looks so smooth and soft as if they did use one. Did they?

 

[Justin Kuhn]

Probably, since they shot on some noisy digital cameras, prosumer models in some cases like the Sony EX1.

 

[David W. Jones]

I was curious cause most big budget Hollywood movies do not use that.

You would be surprised how many films are de-noised and then have grain added back in.

 

[ironpony]

Why would they add it back in?

 

[David W. Jones]

They are not adding noise back in, they are adding subtle film grain in. Totally different than the noise which was removed.

 

[ironpony]

Oh okay I see. Is that really necessary though. I mean I know Hollywood wants the 'film look', but is it necessary to put in grain? I mean we already got the lighting, the 24fps at 1/48 shutter to give that look. Who cares about grain?

 

[jax_rox]

It sometimes looks nicer. IIRC, The Hurt Locker specifically used de-grain techniques for the S16mm footage, and then over-laid a subtle 35mm grain over the top.

 

[ironpony]

Oh I see, thanks. But why would a multimillion dollar budget movie need to use a denoising program? Isn't the camera quality so good to begin with, that they don't need that?

 

[Tolin]

Oh I see, thanks. But why would a multimillion dollar budget movie need to use a denoising program? Isn't the camera quality so good to begin with, that they don't need that?

 

[maranfilms]

That's f-ing HILARIOUS!! ROTMFF