Posted by Vincent at bg-tc-ppp1475.monmouth.com on August 17, 2001 at 14:04:25:
In Reply to: Do we disagree on some "facts"? posted by Neil on August 17, 2001 at 12:06:02:
: : ...it's not always "matted" to create the 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio...
: I never said or suggested otherwise. My final paragraph says that'd I'd leave subjects such as anamorphic to someone else.
: : ... I believe more common is the use of anamorphic lenses during filming…
: I'm not convinced that it's "more common", but I'd be interested to read the statistics.
Well, anamorphics are MEVER used for 1.85:1, but some films are shot with "hard mattes" to get a 1.85:1 aspect ratio- in other words, a matte is placed in front of the lens resulting in a "letterboxed" image on the actual 35mm negative, which means that the "full-frame" video versions of these 1.85:1 films are actually panned-and-scanned. Example of hard-matted 1.85:1 flms include THE TERMINATOR, ALIENS, and EXCALIBUR. Also, it seems most European films are shot hard-matted at about 1.66:1 and thus are also panned-and-scanned.
Regarding "Scope" films, nowadays they are either Super-35 or anamorphic, and since James Cameron made it so popular, Super-35 has become VERY popular. It may have even eclipsed the use of actual anamorphic lenses. I asked Jamie Anderson about his preference for Super-35 and he said, "The great thing about anamorphic is the shape, and you can get that with Super-35 nowadays with the same image quality thanks to the advances that Kodak has made with their filmstocks." Basically, he prefers shooting Super-35 because he prefers the ease and speed of using standard spherical lenses over anamorphics.
Myself, I'd like to shoot AUTOGRAPH is anamorphic. Super-35 CAN look nice with good lab work and a great DP, however I've seen too many rushed and crappy looking release prints from Super-35 films that I'd like the added security of the much larger anamorphic negative. Unless, of course, I had Roger Deakins or Dante Spinotti, the two greatest DPs alive who also make the best looking Super-35 films I've seen (KUNDUN looked like it was shot in 65mm to me when I saw it projected, and Spinotti blows me away with every film he shoots and how easily he can change between a very naturalistic look- WONDER BOYS- or super stylised- THE INSIDER- and they always looks tremendous).
Vincent