[Leica] no film in a decade

[cochranpr at mac.com (David Cochran)]

Digital filmaking is growing faster than some expected but the virtues 
of digital filmaking still lay in speed of production, distribution and 
immediacy of the post process.
A good example is Star Wars Episode III. In the DVD there is a good 
explanation of the process of bringing a digital movie to the 
audiences.
In aesthetic terms it is very far from film. But, and this is a big 
but, new generations are growing up in the digital age visually 
accustomed to pixels and the depth of field from digital cameras. I do 
not have cable tv for one single reason, I can see every damn pixel and 
jaggy line that comes from digital compression. Al the blacks crunched 
so as to loose definition in the shadows, too many blown whites.. but 
you know what, nobody really cares or take notice and I believe that 
the reason lies in the fact that the common human looks for content and 
not for aesthetics. Must understand a general idea that something is 
beautiful but react more to emotions.

The speed that digital technology brings to the filmaking process is 
evident in family oriented movies, comedies and the sort, where image 
is not an important factor to tell the story.
Many of these films are shot in video and we don't even know it.

The new and, may I add, staying trend is what is known as Digital 
Internegative, where movies are shot on film and then scanned into a 
computer, color corrected (which was called timing on a lab) and then 
output to  film again.
Now this is for theatrical releases. As we read and write, most of 
Lifetime's movies are shot in digital video, originally in HD now they 
don't see a reason for the costs and are shooting in Mini DV with the 
new 24 frames a second cameras that give you the illusion of film.

I have seen video projections from all formats in the new JVC 
projectors, it is really impressive. Two things stand out, no vibration 
of the frames and no dust and scratches.
Obviously what really looks great is 35mm film transfered to HD and 
seen in a Digital projector.

I hope I have not tired anyone, I have been quite quiet lately. So I am 
compensating a bit.

peace

David
On Jan 21, 2006, at 4:55 PM, George Lottermoser wrote:

>> Absolutely true - because without the support of enough 'weekend
>> snapsters,"
>> there's unlikely to be any film realistically available within a
> decade,
>> or
>> less.
>
> Just curious - is this "no film" phenomena also happening in the "film"
> industry. In other words are the "movie makers" also ready to throw in
> the towel for their first generation originals?
>
> regards, George
>
>
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