David Owen James Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 (edited) I'd like to get a basic overview of all the technical aspects in production and post production that determine the style of the picture. I have an approximate style in mind and I want to move as close to it as possible. So, I have a few questions and also have provided a few sample images. I'm trying to replicate the film images of the early 70's. I thank you for your responses. To begin, what are the technical variables in production that determine the image? I can think of the camera body, lens, film stock and lighting. And in post, the film processing. I imagine all of these are elements are important in making up the final image, but of these elements are there some that are more important? The links are to images taken from films made in the early 70's. They are taken from 35mm films so perhaps they are not the best reference. I like the contrast and behaviour of colour. How am I to come close to this style? What sort of gear is necessary? David Links to images: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=bresson+4+nights+of+a+dreamer&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1188&bih=733&tbm=isch&tbnid=eL4it1BK0pPZ0M:&imgrefurl=http://mubi.com/films/four-nights-of-a-dreamer&docid=sLeUney174gmFM&w=448&h=252&ei=LU5qTqbRMIzGswb0o9j9BA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=361&page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=193&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=92&ty=71 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=bresson+the+devil+probably&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1188&bih=733&tbm=isch&tbnid=QBk2SFAZeL1f9M:&imgrefurl=http://mubi.com/topics/the-most-philosophicallly-dense-films&docid=2bO_N5wB_-wEaM&w=400&h=293&ei=SU5qTpX-LpHGtAamhryxBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=129&vpy=195&dur=29&hovh=192&hovw=262&tx=133&ty=89&page=4&tbnh=122&tbnw=152&start=71&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:71 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=robert+bresson+four+nights+of+a+dreamer&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1188&bih=733&tbm=isch&tbnid=l6heJOcNps2JTM:&imgrefurl=http://www.vicious-trollop.com/userforum/viewtopic.php%3Ff%3D17%26t%3D529%26view%3Dnext&docid=5Dljec31-aOyFM&w=400&h=277&ei=SlFqTpP9BsPNsgbn9-C5BA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=146&vpy=264&dur=1243&hovh=187&hovw=270&tx=184&ty=79&page=1&tbnh=145&tbnw=193&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=bresson+the+devil+probably&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=8rnztDq5lnuszM:&imgrefurl=http://filmsick.exteen.com/20081122/zombie-and-the-ghost-train-mika-kaurismaki-1991-the-devil-pr&docid=Y0EvMHHUi-i3TM&w=750&h=539&ei=vk5qTpCMEs-Vswa6lcHUBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=591&vpy=393&dur=5179&hovh=190&hovw=265&tx=171&ty=104&page=8&tbnh=118&tbnw=188&start=175&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:175&biw=1188&bih=733 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=robert+bresson&start=412&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1188&bih=733&tbm=isch&tbnid=wCuoG-uyeuj4aM:&imgrefurl=http://nancysiler.com/bordeaux-robert-bresson-quotes-theatre/&docid=J2jM2Q0LWRa-rM&w=800&h=625&ei=g1BqToCKDMvOsgawvIXVBA&zoom=1&chk=sbg&iact=hc&vpx=895&vpy=193&dur=1792&hovh=198&hovw=254&tx=163&ty=122&page=18&tbnh=139&tbnw=193&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:23,s:412 Edited September 9, 2011 by David Owen James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Aragon Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 don't forget set design! which I feel is one of the most important aspects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Owen James Posted September 9, 2011 Author Share Posted September 9, 2011 Quite right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Charles MacDonald Posted September 10, 2011 Premium Member Share Posted September 10, 2011 To begin, what are the technical variables in production that determine the image? I can think of the camera body, lens, film stock and lighting. And in post, the film processing. If the camera is working well, it is just a box to hold the film, Lens choice can have some effect. The film stocks do have a slight effect, but all the modern films are quite good. Unless you are doing "experimental" looking work with things like cross processing, you hope the processing is so tightly controlled that It will not change the look. Sometimes folks do Push or Pull process to get a specific effect (or get arround a limitation or error) Lighting Set and costume design, makeup, now those can set a mood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lee Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 What sort of gear is necessary? A bleak, complete sense of despair for a static, post-revolutionary world void of any salvation or redemption ala late Bresson. (great movies btw!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Owen James Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Indeed, I really admire Bresson's work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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