Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Imax/Batman Press Release

I'd like to present the really frustrating bits and pieces from the new IMAX/Dark Knight press release, confirming just how screwed The Dark Knight is going to be.

Here's the confirmation of a disruptive ratio change:

The marriage of footage filmed with IMAX and 35mm cameras in the final feature will have a major impact on the audience's viewing experience, whether seeing The Dark Knight in an IMAX or traditional theatre. When the scenes shot on IMAX cameras are shown in IMAX theatres, the aspect ratio will morph to 1.43 to 1, expanding the image to fill the entire screen and magnifying the overall effect, both literally and figuratively.

And here's Nolan not understanding why a decent sized cinemascope screen beats IMAX hands down (at least for this kind of film):

Director Christopher Nolan added, "In continuing the story of such a great icon I'm thrilled to be able to expand the scope of the film, not just in terms of its story, but in giving Batman and The Joker the largest possible canvas on which to face off. No existing technology compares with the IMAX format in terms of its ability to throw the audience into the action, and we're very proud and excited to use this technology in a way that no one has before."

5 comments:

Rickey said...

I'm still failing to see how this IMAX thing is that awful an idea for a movie...

Anonymous said...

Okay so I was wrong they are shooting some 15perf 65mm.

I would reserve judgement until you have seen it as it may work.

Much better idea was Showscan which was 5perf 65mm shot at 60fps.

The movie Brainstorm was originally going to have the VR sequences in Showscan, but it got reduced to regular 5perf 24fps due to budget.

Brendon said...

So, turning what is supposed to be a (serious?) narrative film into a barely comprehensible sideshow is a good idea?

It's quite clear that this Barnum and Bailey approach to the film is selling it's integrity of craftsmanship down the river.

Anonymous said...

I think Christopher Nolan and Wally Pfister know what they're doing.

No offence intended. Your analysis was both lucid and educational but I'm sure such a visual craftsman as Christopher Nolan has weighed up all available information and made a well informed judgement.

Incidentally, how much do we really know about the manner in which the technology is employed? Perhaps there are as yet unknown measures, whether they be experimental or otherwise proven, in place to counteract any potential hitches.

Anonymous said...

I have to say also that Nolan and his multi Oscar-nominated cinematographer MAY just have a better grasp on the current state of the technology than you give them credit for.