technical info on Boogie Nights?

[Cheesesailor77]

I just watched boogie nights again last night and i think it just looks fantastic, Can't explain it. The lighting and production design are well done, but there's something else going on.

I've done some research, but I'm still looking for any info on how that look was achieved, lenses, film stock, processing, etc.

If anyone can help me out I'd REALLY appreciate it.

THANKS!

 

[dmc]

I agree - Boogie Nights is a terrific film. Robert Elswit's camera work suits the tone of the story so well that it just disappears into the 1970s backdrop.

Yup - awesome script, great cast, fantastic production design and lighting!

One of my favorites.

I did read an article (maybe a couple of years ago now) that talked about some of the technical aspects of shooting the film. Keep looking online - I'm sure that that's where I read it.


dmc

 

[Batutta]

I think the something else you're referring to is the anamorphic lenses they used. Not many people shoot anamorphic today, they shoot Super 35 because it's easier to light and control focus, but it doesn't looks the same. Here's a small blurb from the D.P.

On Boogie Nights, we were going to go Super 35 until two weeks before we started, and Paul just went, "I can’t do it. I can’t do it." We looked at tests, and he said, "I just hate it. It looks like we cropped 1.85." Which is exactly what it is. He just said, "I like the way the [anamorphic] lenses work." And I do, too, but it’s hard to get people to commit to that. But if you want to design for it, it’s a wonderful way to work.

 

[Billy Pilgrim]

I love the look of anamorphic lenses. Wes Anderson's films (with the exception of Bottle Rocket) are shot anamorphic and have that really special look to them. The more I think about Boogie Nights and Rushmore, the more badly I want to build an adapter for my DVX and my Sankor 16c anamorphic lens.