Jump to content

S35/S16/Hd Not a whats the best topic


Recommended Posts

Hey all,

 

I am getting ready to shoot my senior thesis film and I am in limbo when deciding a shotting format. There is so much to look into. I would love to shoot super 35 but its expensive. I found an arri 35bl for 400 a day that i can afford but is the camera good? and i have never shot super 35 before.

 

with super 16 i like the look of certain stocks and i know the camera very well and i'm assuming i could throw some cooke s4s lenses on there and get a great image, but how does it look blown up?

 

and HD is cheap maybe throw a red rock on there, di the crap out of it, and ill get a good image.

 

but the thing that really sticks out in my mind is the future, can I shoot HD and expect producers to throw a S35mm camera t me and say go!

 

any tips/ advice?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Member

If you shoot an amazing film you can do it on VHS and get a producer throwing money t you. You have to pick the format which lends itself ot the film the best.

You mention the BL, but which one, there are 4, the 3 and 4, especially, being the best to work with.

On super 16mm, it'll look good "blown up," though I"m not sure how you're blowing it up ( are you really going out to 35mm, or just projecting from a DVD/tape?) If you go Super16mm, just use some slower stocks, like 200T which is pretty grain less in S16mm, and overexpose it a bit to tighten the grain up more.

For Hd, well the question is WHAT HD? There are so many formats! I'd avoid the lens adapter, and instead invest in a 2/3" HD camera with good glass if you can. . . but that's just me.

It sounds like you lean towards film, and that's so respectable and amazing. It's great to hear people wanting to shoot film. If you can work S16mm and a good supervised color correction/DI well then there are plenty of opportunities.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35BL is a fine camera. But if its a private owner ask for a recent service receipt so you can learn whether or not its kept up. Shoot a test anyways, its too risky to get a body that has problems. do the normal prep stuff with it. 400/day seems a bit steep unless its a 35BL 4s with a studio kit. a BL3 is fine too, get a better lens with the saved money between the BL3 and BL4s.

 

16mm- "But how does it look blown up" well for one thing, this is what film school is for. People do blow up S16 for theatrical release so testing is important. but if you wont be getting a blow up dont worry about it. If there was question, to keep it affordable I would shoot in a projection format. standard 4-perf acadamy or anamorphic.

 

35mm and Super35 are basically the same thing. only difference is the route to projection format.

 

DI the crap out of HD with a redrock? okay. I'd push for a film format especially if planning on striking a release print. But you need to determine which is best for the project. Aesthetically and Price, Functions needed etc. Compromise where you must.

 

S16 will look better than a HD camera with a Redrock on it. Theres more resolution and Lattitude.

 

Will a producer throw a 35mm camera at you and say go? No. I dont think so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Premium Member

I guess I still don't understand what the presentation format will be. If it's going to be a 35mm print, it would be easiest and untimately cheapest to contact print 35mm film. That, plus you get to shoot your film on 35mm, which is a fun thing if it's appropriate for the subject and it's what you really want to do. If a 35mm projection print is your goal you may not want to shoot S35, as it is not designed to be contact printed. It's chief advantage is that you can pull every aspect ratio from 1.33:1 to 2.35:1 out of it.

 

No matter what camera you use, do plenty of testing before you go out with it. Put all the parts together and shoot tests before your shoot.

 

Good luck!

 

Bruce Taylor

www.Indi35.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will spend what ever you feel ( or can afford) on your project.

is it great??? does it rocks???? then dude, go all out and shoot this mofo on 35mm or Super 16, both fine choices, but wait..... what's your film about? maybe is a cold frivolous Sci- fi were hd will fit perfectly, or maybe u want the movie to have a more of hands on approach and even vhs will make it look great.

 

My advice is to ask yourself: what will be the right format for my film? what I'm trying to tell through the photography of this picture? softenss? gritty? Mickey MOuse ??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...