Moving towards the desired picture

David Owen James · September 9, 2011

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

Jesse Aragon · September 9, 2011

don't forget set design! which I feel is one of the most important aspects.

David Owen James · September 9, 2011

Quite right.

Charles MacDonald · 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.