IMAX format

Leon Rodriguez · November 16, 2004

I may be up for an IMAX job. My first on this format. Has anyone shot this format before? What's different than a normal 35mm shoot in terms of exposure? What are the lens scales for this format? What stocks are available to the format? All input appreciated.

David Mullen ASC · November 17, 2004

I haven't shot it, but it's 15-perf 65mm normally running at 24 fps (despite what some people have said). You compose with the subject sort of centered low in the frame, lots of headroom, because in an IMAX theater, you are looking more at the bottom 2/3's of the screen. You have to consider the size of the image in terms of cutting rate and movement because it can be a bit overwhelming (which is the point sometimes.)

The film stocks are the same types as are available for 35mm. Since you have less depth of field because of the longer focal lengths, it helps to stop down the lens. Some people will use faster film to make this possible, some just use more light. You just want to make sure that the image is not too grainy because this can be annoying too on a big screen. I'm sure the new Vision-2 stocks have become popular for IMAX shooters.

But otherwise, it's like exposing film in a normal movie camera.

You see a lot of near fish-eye wide-angle photography at times for a pseudo Cinerama effect. But you also see telephoto shots too.

Camera movements should be as smooth as possible.

Leon Rodriguez · November 17, 2004

Wonderful input David! Makes good sense. Thanx. I appreciate it.

November 17, 2004

You're getting to shoot with IMAX? Lucky bugger :-)

I'll pay YOU to be your assistant on this one, how's $400.00 a day?

Seriously, I'll do it.

DC

Christian Appelt · November 18, 2004

I think there is a difference in framing. There was a special issue of AC about special venue formats, and IIRC in IMAX you have to compose in the lower two-thirds of the screen, leaving one third as "headroom" so people will not break their neck trying to watch important things far up there... :rolleyes:

Adam Frisch FSF · November 18, 2004

The format also tends to strobe heavily in panning and tilt when done fastly, therefore there's a formula if I recall correctly saying how fast you can pan on each focal lenght. I now leave stage left to give room for M. David Mullen, ASC, who has that formula memorized :D. If not, I think it can be found in the ASC manual.

I'm not going to go quietly into the night before I get to shoot 70mm one way or the other just once in my life. Even if it means saving for my own short!!! Needless to say, I'm green with envy.

Good luck!

Edited November 18, 2004 by AdamFrisch

John Pytlak RIP · November 18, 2004

Maybe we need a "65mm / 70mm Only" group. :D

Most of the Kodak color negative films are catalog listed and in stock for 65mm. Likewise Kodak VISION Color Intermediate Film. Both 2383 and 2393 VISION Color Print films are available in 70mm.

Edited November 18, 2004 by John_P_Pytlak

Leon Rodriguez · November 20, 2004

Good idea, John. Tim, are you hearing this?

Christian Appelt · November 21, 2004

John,

there seems to be a problem with 65mm availability of Eastman film on some markets. Yesterday I spoke to a filmmaker from Berlin, Germany, who asked Kodak Germany about 65mm negative for his forthcoming 65/70mm short film project, and they told him it that both 65mm negative and 70mm positive were not available at present.

I know that for many years 65/70mm stocks were available on special order only (meaning up to 12 weeks), but "definitely not available" is another thing. Maybe you could give that guy an advice how & where he can order 65mm Eastman stock, I will send you his mail adress by PM or e-mail.

Edited November 21, 2004 by Christian Appelt

Delorme Jean-Marie · November 22, 2004

I may be up for an IMAX job. My first on this format. Has anyone shot this format before? What's different than a normal 35mm shoot in terms of exposure? What are the lens scales for this format? What stocks are available to the format? All input appreciated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hi

i'm 1 AC and i already shot 6 films in that format

i'll be glad to help you with precise questions and i can give you names of specialists dp's, editing, cameras, stock, lens......

feel free to contact me

i shot "migations magic carpet", "brain power", "origine ocean", "klassiker", "patrouille de france"

Leon Rodriguez · November 22, 2004

Thanx Jean-Marie,

Let's hook up off line and toss it around. Look forward to discussions.

John Pytlak RIP · November 22, 2004

John,

there seems to be a problem with 65mm availability of Eastman film on some markets. Yesterday I spoke to a filmmaker from Berlin, Germany, who asked Kodak Germany about 65mm negative for his forthcoming 65/70mm short film project, and they told him it that both 65mm negative and 70mm positive were not available at present.

I know that for many years 65/70mm stocks were available on special order only (meaning up to 12 weeks), but "definitely not available" is another thing. Maybe you could give that guy an advice how & where he can order 65mm Eastman stock, I will send you his mail adress by PM or e-mail.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The 65mm stocks are certainly in the most recent (October 1, 2004) Kodak catalog, but as you say, may need some lead time to be sent to Kodak regional distribution centers where they are not normally used. I've forwarded your request to our office in Stuttgart.

Christian Appelt · November 22, 2004

Well, maybe it was some kind of misunderstanding... thanks for your help! B)

John Sprung · November 23, 2004

The 65mm stocks are certainly in the most recent (October 1, 2004) Kodak catalog, but as you say, may need some lead time
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you sell enough 65mm that it's routinely made and stocked? I'd think that it might be something that would require a special setup for slitting and perforating when an order comes in.

-- J.S.

K Borowski · November 23, 2004

Do you sell enough 65mm that it's routinely made and stocked? I'd think that it might be something that would require a special setup for slitting and perforating when an order comes in.
-- J.S.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not to mention you'd have to find somewhere to print and then telecine it for eventual tape release. I've heard there's only one place in the whole world that has a 65mm telecine machine.

Regards.

~Karl Borowski

John Pytlak RIP · November 23, 2004

Do you sell enough 65mm that it's routinely made and stocked? I'd think that it might be something that would require a special setup for slitting and perforating when an order comes in.
-- J.S.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If lead time is required to pull a wide roll in to be specially slit and perfed, it would normally be listed "Finish to Order" (FTO) in the catalog. Not to say that there is a few hundred thousand feet of each 65mm film type in stock at all times.