MovieChat Forums > Dunkirk (2017) Discussion > Paving the way for more 65mm/IMAX shot e...

Paving the way for more 65mm/IMAX shot epics

posted 8 years ago by Oliver-in-Wonderland
9 replies | jump to latest

I really appreciate that Nolan is such a supporter of film and loves to shoot on 65mm and IMAX. That Dunkirk is being shot entirely with those cameras is incredible. I have a feeling that two third of the film if not more will be shot with IMAX. I think that Nolan will one day shoot a film entirely with IMAX, but I think that the cameras need to be made quiet(er) before he can pull that off (no idea how they're gonna do that tho lol). Either way, given how he shot this film; I think it's incredible

I really do hope other directors will get their hands on 65mm and IMAX cameras for their films. Not too often are blockbusters shot with 65mm, only with IMAX for a couple of scenes and the rest 35mm. I think the gap between IMAX and 35mm is too large. There's a huge difference in picture quality.

Many studios are banking on digital cameras and those which shoot in very high resolutions, but I think when it comes to digital camera's it's actually even more important that there's a great DOP behind it. However, digital and film will always look very different from each other. I'm not a digital hater, I rather applaud the use of the Alexa 65, especially on a film like the Blade Runner sequel, but I'll also say that I would've preferred if they could've shot it with 65mm..

Either way, I'm sure Nolan will keep pushing the boundaries of what's technologically possible. IF he ever makes a Bond film I have a feeling he might go for 65mm and IMAX too. I think that 65mm really suits Bond.

War, what is it good for?

[–] gstards 8 years ago

The only way for Nolan to film a movie entirely on IMAX is digital. Probably on Alexa IMAX cameras, if there won't be developed even superior digital IMAX cameras in the near future. Sorry, but that's a fact. Nobody will improve IMAX film cameras cause they're already considered as an outdated rarity and only Nolan is still shooting on them.

But that's fine. Because after several years, there will be only a few IMAX film theaters around the world. Laser is what IMAX is investing in right now, a worthy replacement of IMAX film. So even if Nolan will continue to shoot on IMAX film, quite a few people will be able to appreciate that.

Nolan, I love you forever!

[–] Oliver-in-Wonderland 8 years ago

Well funny thing is that the Alexa IMAX is in no way a different camera from the Alexa 65, it's just got the IMAX label on it. Just a way of cheap advertising. There's still the digital 3D-IMAX camera but I think that the Alexa 65 has got the same sensor and perhaps even shoots in a higher resolution, so that's as far as digital "IMAX" goes really.

Either way, if you would translate real IMAX' quality into Ks then it'd still lay a whole lot higher than what the Alexa can achieve. Still, there's a reason why you don't talk about film in resolution. However, it is true that 35mm can handle 4K to 6K projections (yeah I know there aren't any 6K projections lol) still, film is different from digital. It just doesn't have the same look.

I know IMAX is not developed any further into a quieter camera because they can't do that, but you never know is what I'd say.

They have been able to shoot some dialogue with IMAx camera's for TDKR and Interstellar. Even though Interstellar had the advantage of them being able to record the actors' audio from within the spacesuits. So that helped a lot.

As for Laser, it is indeed a worthy replacement of the 70mm projection but damn, I've seen Tarantino's Hateful Eight on 70mm and it was absolutely STUNNING, such a warm image, incredible detail, absolutely astonishing. I bet there'll be 70mm projections of Dunkirk next year. Definitely where I saw Hateful Eight in Amsterdam.

War, what is it good for?

[–] Block-Busted 8 years ago

And that statement about only Nolan using 15/70mm IMAX cameras is clearly a lie. It has been confirmed that 'Star Wars: Episode 8' will be shot in 15/70mm IMAX format and it's likely that 'Star Wars: Episode 9' will be shot in the same way too.

Oh, and I'm actually looking forward to see this film too. It's apparently going to be the most expensive film to be shot on 65mm format.

[–] Oliver-in-Wonderland 8 years ago

Well I think they've said themselves that they were going to shoot on 65mm and IMAX. There are like only two leaked set pics that show a 65mm camera, the rest is all IMAX (if the camera is being spotted at all).

Star Wars Episode VIII is being shot entirely on 35mm, Johnson wanted to shoot it entirely with 65mm but due to logistical reasons he couldn't. Which is a pity of course.
Trevorrow said that 65mm and IMAX are a possibility. I really hope he uses 65mm and IMAX, possibly 35mm as well but a Star Wars film (wouldn't be surprised if Episode IX is going to be the most expensive one) shot entirely on 65mm and IMAX would be incredible

War, what is it good for?

[–] Block-Busted 8 years ago

Well I think they've said themselves that they were going to shoot on 65mm and IMAX. There are like only two leaked set pics that show a 65mm camera, the rest is all IMAX (if the camera is being spotted at all).

Given what you've said, I'm predicting that about 40-45% of the film is being shot in IMAX.

Star Wars Episode VIII is being shot entirely on 35mm, Johnson wanted to shoot it entirely with 65mm but due to logistical reasons he couldn't. Which is a pity of course.

Actually, about that:

http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/scenes-star-wars-episode-8-will-shot-imax/

Trevorrow said that 65mm and IMAX are a possibility.

Where did you read this?

I really hope he uses 65mm and IMAX, possibly 35mm as well but a Star Wars film (wouldn't be surprised if Episode IX is going to be the most expensive one) shot entirely on 65mm and IMAX would be incredible

My suggestion is that the film should be shot almost entirely in/on 65mm and IMAX aside from... say... flashback sequences (if they're using that), which could be using 35mm.

[–] Oliver-in-Wonderland 8 years ago

I think more than 50% may be shot on IMAX. He's going next level, I can feel it

I don't now about the credibility of that link, the Avenger films are being shot with the Alexa 65 with the IMAX name just labeled on it, there's literally nothing different compared to the Alexa 65, it's exactly the same. Shameless promotion.

Trevorrow said he will shoot on film. Can't find the article about 65mm, guess I must've dreamt it lol but it would be nice wouldn't it be

War, what is it good for?

[–] Block-Busted 8 years ago

I think more than 50% may be shot on IMAX. He's going next level, I can feel it

Could be any amount, really.

The point is, I'm just happy that I'll be seeing the most expensive film to be shot entirely on 65mm format - IMAX or otherwise (I'm still kind of p!ssed with the fact that the most expensive 16mm film, 'The Rum Diary', is $1 million more expensive than the most expensive recent 65mm film, 'The Hateful Eight').

I don't now about the credibility of that link, the Avenger films are being shot with the Alexa 65 with the IMAX name just labeled on it, there's literally nothing different compared to the Alexa 65, it's exactly the same. Shameless promotion.

Well, there's also this:

http://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2016/05/rian-johnson-confirms-filming-parts-of-episode-viii-in-imax-and-the-extraordinary-experience-of-some-lucky-irish-fans.html

Trevorrow said he will shoot on film. Can't find the article about 65mm, guess I must've dreamt it lol but it would be nice wouldn't it be

It would be very nice if it is, and it might happen actually:

http://www.theasc.com/site/blog/parallax-view/john-schwartzman-asc-discusses-large-format-optics/

Of course, this could simply mean 35mm/IMAX combination, but hey, we can still hope that it will be 65mm/IMAX combination. 

[–] politicidal 8 years ago

It's high time he did make a Bond film.

What's missing in movies is same as in society: a good sense of work ethic and living up to ideals.

[–] Oliver-in-Wonderland 8 years ago

ikr! I hope WB gets the rights to Bond and I bet they want Nolan to make the new film. I don't think Craig will return for more Bond, besides him getting offered more than enough money, he's simply too old for the part. Moore went on too long as well.

Shooting a Bond film in 65mm would give it an edge over regular blockbusters. A certain class and spectacle to it know what I mean.

Really hope all goes well so that Nolan makes the next Bond film. Preferably with Dan Stevens as Bond :P

War, what is it good for?