Color Fade In

[J. Anthony Gonzales]

Has anybody had any experience with films that require a "color fade-in"? For instance, say we have 10 minutes of film and we want to start out with black and white and fade in to full color at the end of the 10 minute mark? I am sure this can be done via a DI, but what about in a lab? Forgive me for such a neophyte question, but can this be done via "color timing" when an IP is made? And if so, how fine of a "tuning" can be used (ie. how slow/finely can we turn the "color button" from 0 to 100%)?

 

Thanks,

 

John G.

[Filip Plesha]

I think in a chemical lab,all you could do is print the original negative

into two interpositives,one black and white and one color,

and then make a dupe color negative in an optical printer with making

a slow transition from the black and white interpositive to the color interpositive.

Just like if you were making a transition between two scenes.

but the registration of those two positives would have to be perfect.

[Mitch Gross]

Yes it can be done essentially as Filip explained, but the timing of the transition is a limiting factor. To have this done in standard printing in the lab you are limited to certain standard dissolve lengths, none of which will be longer than about 20 seconds. If you wish anything longer then this will need to be done on an optical printer and will be an extra fee, but you can do it for as long as you like up to an entire 22 minute reel, at least in theory. But that will make for an expensive optical.

[John Pytlak RIP]

I recall the techique was used for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Night They Raided Minsky's". The opening sequence in "Hello Dolly" does a "wipe" from B&W to color.

 

As mentioned, it can be done using traditional film printing techniques, or with Digital Intermediate. Kodak Cinesite was a pioneer in using some of these DI techniques:

 

http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/motion/.../oBrother.shtml

 

http://www.vfxhq.com/1998/pleasantville.html

 

http://www.theasc.com/protect/nov98/pleasantville/pg1.htm

 

http://www.larta.org/LAVox/2001/12-3_cinesite_profilehtm.htm

 

http://www.cinesite.com

[Dominic Case]

as long as you like up to an entire 22 minute reel

About 12 years ago we were asked to do a "colour drain" that was to take the entire duration of the film, which was a feature. This was before digital grading. It was all possible, using the b/w + colour interpos technique described here, in an optical printer. Balancing the effect is quite difficult, as different scenes seem to show different degrees of desaturation for the same percentage mix of b/w & colour. In the event, the producer pulled the plug at the last minute, for other reasons.