Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

J

jchenier

Well-known member
I just watched Open Water on DVD and was amazed how the footage looked. I knew it was filmed on PD150s and what looked like a Canon GL1, so I was surprised how the footage looked in the cut film. It does't look like 60i. When I watched some of the special features, they show the other footage, which is obviously 60i.

My question: was it the transfer from 60i to 35mm film that makes the cut film look different from regular PD150 60i footage? Does anyone know if they used any plug-ins or special tools to "loose" the 60i look?

Thanks,
Justin
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

Definitely -- transferring 60i up to 35mm film will certainly help the footage take on a filmic look. You could do something similar by using DVFilm Maker software, which converts 60i to 24p.

Haven't seen the DVD, but assumedly they transferred the film back to video and used that to author the DVD.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

The DVD is a transfer from the 35mm print. The film looks GREAT! I was really cool to compare footage from "the making of" with the theatrical release.

Thanks Barry!

Justin
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

PD 150s transferred to film can look great! people who haven't seen a transfer to 35mm find it hard to believe but it's true. Open water looks acceptable...I think a DVX could have done even better! Post makes a difference when a daVinci 2k can go through and CC. We just need to be mindful of overexposure.

While I admire and commend the film makers I thought the story lacked in many structural ways but it was a unique story and the title and marketing are excellent also. unfortunately they seemed to have milked the opening with too many shots... leaving on a trip isn't that exciting. Maybe they could have tied in a bad boss at work so it was a question as to whether the boss set up their abandonment...etc... whatever, I'm sure their next feature will be a huge improvement.

Bottom line, many of us already have the gear to do Pro Work, at this level. Now we have the same problem as Hollywood... we need a hot property (script).
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

"Bottom line, many of us already have the gear to do Pro Work, at this level. Now we have the same problem as Hollywood... we need a hot property (script)."

Hmmmm.....

The problem isn't the equipment, never has been......

It's the proverbial "those who can, do....those who can't....talk".

I've seen brilliant B/W super8.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

My nine year old son said it looked "funny" and my wife said it looked like a "vacation video". They didn't know (or care) that it was actually shot on video, but their consumer eyes did tell them something was "off".

i was disappointed in the movie, especially after the JAWS comparions it received. it was NOWHERE near JAWS.

i also couldn't believe it took them two years to make. 80 minutes, 60 of which was in the water with okay dialog....two years???
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

Indy projects.

"two years to make. 80 minutes, 60 of which was in the water with okay dialog....two years"

Try a project like it yourself, without studio backing.

Then you'll "believe" it.

Two years.....about right.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

It took so long because they only shot on weekends. Chris Kentis, the director/writer/editor, also had a 9-5 m-f job. They would fly down and shoot Saturday & Sunday, then back to the US for the workweek.

While I agree, the script was a little weak, it shows all of us that making your film "different" (in this case two people for most of the movie in water) you have a much better chance of selling it. I've seen too many indie producers making films that are too close to what's out there already. There's no "novelty" to the film.

Just my two-cents.

Justin
www.beyondtimemedia.com
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

agreed. in fact ill take that one further. not only would it be a good idea to make it somewhat unique for the novelty factor, but it should be unique because nobody wants to watch your sad attempt at making the Lord of the Rings in your basement. get a new idea, or a new spin on something or a new point of view or something.. if its not ..its been done before.. but as important.. its was done better before than what you can do. there are exceptions to the rule as always, but your chances are likely better without trying to make an exception.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

[quote author=pookie link=board=news;num=1108324469;start=0#6 date=02/15/05 at 12:08:57]Indy projects.

"two years to make. 80 minutes, 60 of which was in the water with okay dialog....two years"

Try a project like it yourself, without studio backing.

Then you'll "believe" it.
[/quote]


Been there done that.

Grew up in Hawaii before moving to Vegas. Shot many, many projects on or around the ocean and yes, on weekends, or whenever we could. Year maybe....not two years. Even used a shark for one movie. The movie was about a Hawaiian man who thinks a certain Tiger shark is his "amakua" or family God.

And Chris Kentis wasn't completely independent. He already has a 35mm feature under his belt that was picked up by Fox Lorber:

Grind http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119228/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...ref=sr_1_2/103-7772077-3499840?v=glance&s=dvd
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

2 years for 8 min, that's nothin. I have been working on my short film "Awake" for nearly 6 months, and it is only 10 min long. I have the same problem. Actors work and go to school full time, as do I, so we have been shooting every other weekend. What sucks is that the climate changes, peoples hair grow, and I hope every day that none of my actors die :D. Well, I would wish that anyway, but I have spent a lot of time on this project, and I would hate to reshoot. ;) Boy that must make me sound like scum. I'm really a nice guy, really.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

IMHO I suspect those here that think "Open Water" looked good are just being way too generous because a movie shot on MiniDv made it to mass distribution. The thought "it can happen" clouds the judgment. It looked beyond bad and was obvious the folks slinging the cameras were fairly unskilled. It not only screamed "video", it looked like bad video. I watched it on film on the big screen and even with the transfer it looked very "home movie" Again - IMO
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

Hmmmm, Pookie says we already have the gear, Dakota says the film looks bad because of miniDV and we all agree that indie film making is part time when you can find the time. I like Neil's idea of making LOTR in the basement...made me laugh! I'll go back to strong story with strong skills in telling that story using what ever we have.

Has anyone ever sat and watched Video to Film transfers on the dalies screen at a lab? what did they look like?
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

[quote author=10s link=board=news;num=1108324469;start=0#12 date=02/18/05 at 18:14:53].. Dakota says the film looks bad because of miniDV [/quote]

No, I said it looked bad because it was shot badly. I think Mini Dv can work VERY well if shot skillfully for a blow-up [and has many times]
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

thanks for the correction. I just wish they did more with the Story...saying i got to pee in the middle of the ocean only goes so far....but hey, they got somewhere, so I give them real credit for that. Let's hope the next will be better.

the good part is ...we can do at least that well!...we just need good unusual ideas (stuck in the middle of...I'm sure there will be a few of these arriving shortly ;)) and then create a great story.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

I finally saw "Open Water" last night. I had read here that it was shot on PD150's. My hat is off to the filmmaker. Yeah, it was not "Jaws", but was done quite well. I have worked in the film industry for over 20 years as stunt coordinator and 2nd unit director and two of those were doing "Baywatch". It takes twice as long to shoot on water as it does on land. Just the logistics is a pain, people, equipment, light, water conditions all factor in. If you are a filmmaker and want to shoot on water, use kids or animals......good luck, but double your time.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

[quote author=10s link=board=news;num=1108324469;start=0#12 date=02/18/05 at 18:14:53] I like Neil's idea of making LOTR in the basement...made me laugh! [/quote]

ROTF from me, too ... except we had some hometown boys that did Raiders of the Lost Ark - scene by scene reenactments starting when they were around 12 or so. It took them six or seven years to complete it (talk about changes in your actors!) Well, to make a long story short a Hollywood film is in the works about them making the film. Check out these sites!
http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,4120,1215896,00.html
http://www.sfindie.com/indiefest05/films/raiders.htm
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

Oh yeah, those guys were on a show over here last year. I thought that was cool.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

I just hope when they make the film of them making the film that the DVD comes with the original film the "kids" (who are now in their 30's) made. We saw it at a film fest last year and it was GREAT! If most Indy film makers (not those HERE, of course, but those in general who aren't on this site ;D) had half the dedication those boys had then, well, we'd double or even triple the number of good to great Indy films.
 
Re: Open Water... doesn't look like 60i

I have also just seen Open Water on DVD. Amazing visuals considering it was shot with a Sony PD-150 & Sony VX2000 DVCAM, and edited on Final Cut Pro. Of course, when Lions Gate picked it up after Sundance it helped a lot getting the "right" cinema look when transferred to 35mm, and after the final adjustments in post in a professional studio .

In the end, it just shows that it´s possible to make a high-concept on a low budget.
 
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