Mikael Sonnichsen

It will interesting to experience Paul Atkins' contribution as 2nd unit DP (and of course first and foremost the overall outcome of the film) in Terrence Malick's upcoming The Tree of Life, presumably to be released end 2009, as well as DP on the 65mm shot IMAX feature The Voyage of Time - a complementary piece to Tree, also directed by Mr. Malick, and possibly set for release later next year. http://www.paulatkins.com/about_paul.php?cat_id=29 Anybody with a particular knowledge of, or oppinion on Mr. Atkins work please share your observations, as your thoughts in general on above mentioned projects.

Any ideas, or factual information on whether Terrence Malick's upcoming 'Tree of Life' will be filmed in 35mm(anamorphic, or whatever), 65mm or even digital? Filming began late February around Austin, TX with Emanuel Lubezki listed as DP, resuming his collaboration with Mr Malick in the wake of 'The New World.' I'm aware 65mm is hardly ever used in feature films anymore, the last time this occurred being in Mr Malick's 'The New World.' Though none of the larger format portions were to be found in theatrical rendering of World(most of it was shot on 35mm, with a few scenes ending up in 65mm), it does reveal the directors love for 65mm(or: what follows using it). In fact, I'm told he intended the whole movie to be shot this way, were it not deemed too expensive. I'd somehow regard digital filming in 'Tree of Life' less likely than film, based on my impressions thus far. Any thoughts on this are welcome...

Hi everyone, now I'm obviously not in any way acquainted with the techniques in photography, or cinematography for that matter, but would someone care to explain to me the differences in the look of Terrence Malick's 'The Thin Red Line' and his latest 'The New World'? Of particular interest here, not to diminish any other aspects(!), is the color and lighting of these movies. I'm hugely impressed with the way TTRL is filmed. Everything from camera movement, picture composition to light/colors - the outspoken mood-generator these images really are! The green leaves and grass; the colored birds; the sunlight through the leaves/trees; the underwater scenes; dusk, dawn and night sequences, i.e. everything really. The colors are so vivid and strong, yet very sarurated and natural. Almost divine(whatever that means :-)). Somehow by contrast, but still as wonderful, are the images from 'The New World'. The colors are sort of less vibrant/in-your-face than in TTRL, and instead rather subdued, subtle and earthly. The coloring is really quite gentle! I'm aware filming was done using available light for the most part, and that Terry specifically asked for the avoidance of direct sunlight. Also, it is said they used "backlighting" while filming TNW, as well as a pronounced lack of filters in the lenses/cameras(?). What is it that explaines the differences in the looks between these two movies? How much can be accounted for to weather conditions, to the choice of lense/camera, filmstock, filters, natural vs. artificial light, back- vs. frontlight, etc.?

From what I've seen so far(link to a clip below), this film by Terrence Malick appears to be beautifully lensed, for the most part with the aid of natural light only! http://movies.aol.com/movie_exclusive_new_world_clip