Kodak's Vision2 Negative Now in Super 8

[Tim Tyler]

Kodak has made their Super 8 format of professional motion picture films available with the company's advanced film technology. The new KODAK VISION2 color negative family of films incorporates significant breakthroughs in motion imaging technology that have already been widely embraced by filmmakers working in 16 mm, 35 mm and 65 mm formats.

 

"This is a noteworthy addition to the palette of creative and financial alternatives available to filmmakers who choose to work in the Super 8 format," says Robert Mayson, general manager and vice president of image capture for the Kodak Entertainment Imaging division. "The new emulsions provide a flexible range of options when a film-look is desirable and there is a need to use very lightweight and compact cameras on a tight budget."

 

KODAK VISION2 films are designed to render high-quality images with reduced visible grain, and an improved dynamic range that makes it possible to record subtle details in highlight and shadow areas. They are also optimized for both optical and digital postproduction for making blowups to 16 mm film and various video formats.

 

"We believe this will benefit student filmmakers around the world," says Mayson. "It will give the next generation of filmmakers an opportunity to master the aesthetics of lighting for film with an affordable and accessible medium. We also believe that this is an attractive format for certain types of documentaries destined to air on television and for special purpose narrative storytelling."

 

Recent advances in postproduction technologies like high-resolution scanners allow filmmakers to apply the latest techniques to Super 8 images.

 

"Super 8 has always been embraced by students and experimental filmmakers," says Mayson. "Today, for a modest investment, filmmakers can employ a sophisticated system for recording motion images, with the same emulsions used to make high end, big-budget movies. With the new VISION2 stocks, Super 8 filmmakers who seek the creative flexibility of film can put the latest high technology emulsions to work for them."

 

Mayson notes that there is a significant infrastructure in place to support Super 8 filmmakers, including cameras for rental and sale at relatively low costs, and specialized film labs and postproduction houses.

 

The Super 8 format was introduced in May 1965. It was designed to make more efficient use of the 8 mm film frame by reducing the size of perforations and shifting their placement. This had the affect of making the image area 50 percent larger than conventional 8 mm film. A cartridge system simplified loading. Since then, numerous technical advances have been made, including availability of wide aperture lenses and long exposure shutters.

 

Music video and commercial producers have long used Super 8 as an addition to the stylistic palette, and narrative filmmakers often use Super 8 as a way to delineate period or flashback scenes. For example, Robert Richardson, ASC, used a Super 8 camera in parts of his Oscar®-winning effort in "JFK."