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Home: Video University Forums: Filmmakers & Screenwriters:
Preferred camera and film type?

X-C_Phillips
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Apr 21, 2004, 10:30 AM

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Preferred camera and film type?	Can't Post

I'm doing research for a writing project and would like to know if there is an industry standard for types of film and types of cameras.
If a smaller budget company were producing a film with a photographic aesthetic what would it be shot on and shot with? By photographic aesthetic, I mean an "art" film... more attention to image and composition that motion capture.

X-grinner
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Apr 21, 2004, 12:03 PM

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Re: Preferred camera and film type?	Can't Post

There is no standard here. It has to do with night or day, indoor or outdoor and taiste or preference.
I still like Cannons old Scoopic for shooting 16mm. It's lite, feels like your home camcorder and is idiot-proof.
I like Kodak vision series 500T film.
Actually, I have 4 rolls of 400 ft. of the same if anyone is interested in snagging some up for half price.
email me at grinner at grinnerhester dot com if interested.

X-C_Phillips
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Apr 21, 2004, 12:14 PM

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Re: Preferred camera and film type? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the speedy reply.
Maybe I should be more specific. What camera/ film type would be necessary to capture the "look and feel" of French art/ erotic films of the late 1960s? Those types of films rely (primarily) on outdoor/ onsite shooting.
Thanks again.

X-jim_colman
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Apr 21, 2004, 3:43 PM

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Re: Preferred camera and film type? [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Thanks for the speedy reply.
: Maybe I should be more specific. What camera/ film type would be necessary to capture the "look and feel" of French art/ erotic films of the late 1960s? Those types of films rely (primarily) on outdoor/ onsite shooting.
For budget reasons, I would shoot on 16mm as opposed to 35mm. For my camera I would opt for an Arri SR as they are plentiful, reliable and offer a good number of accessories. You could also shoot with an old French Eclair if you can find one. If you're shooting sync sound a quiet camera is a must.
For my film stock, I like Kodak EXR 50D for daylight work and Kodak Vison 250 for interiors. To achieve the effect you want, work with your colorist during the negative to video transfer.
Jim Colman

X-C_Phillips
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Apr 23, 2004, 9:03 AM

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Re: Preferred camera and film type? [In reply to]	Can't Post

: For budget reasons, I would shoot on 16mm as opposed to 35mm. For my camera I would opt for an Arri SR as they are plentiful, reliable and offer a good number of accessories. You could also shoot with an old French Eclair if you can find one. If you're shooting sync sound a quiet camera is a must.
: For my film stock, I like Kodak EXR 50D for daylight work and Kodak Vison 250 for interiors. To achieve the effect you want, work with your colorist during the negative to video transfer.
: Jim Colman
Thanks, Jim.
In I right in assuming that 16mm film is less expensive than 35mm? (Am I also right in assuming that 35mm produces a higher quality/ resolution image?)
One more thing-- do people (and small production companies) generally rent their camera equipment?

Craig
- the provided email address is bogus, by the way. The last thing I need is more spam.

X-jim_colman
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Apr 23, 2004, 9:39 AM

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Re: Preferred camera and film type? [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Thanks, Jim.
: In I right in assuming that 16mm film is less expensive than 35mm? (Am I also right in assuming that 35mm produces a higher quality/ resolution image?)
: One more thing-- do people (and small production companies) generally rent their camera equipment?
:
: Craig
Yes, 16mm film stock is roughly half the cost of 35mm. Plus, 35mm cameras are a lot more expensive to rent than 16mm. For best quality though, 35mm will produce a much nicer image as the negative is over twice the size of a 16mm negative. Television commercials are usually shot in 35mm and transfered to tape for editing and distribution.
Small production companies often rent gear. For example, my company owns six video cameras but we rent film cameras when needed. Most of our work is in video so it doesn't make sense for us to purchase a film camera. There are any number of rental companies and/or freelancers who own a 16mm or 35mm camera.
Jim Colman

X-blake
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Apr 29, 2004, 1:36 AM

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Re: Preferred camera and film type? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Primarily, these films were shot with reversal stocks like Kodachrome, they were slow speed, but still grainy. There are extensive post about this on the www.Cinematography.com forum. You should still be able to get Kodachrome cut in 16mm, but I would email your Kodak rep for more details.
The other options are, if you can afford a digital intermediate, then the film can be timed to exactly match a particular reference you have selected.
Traditional color timing won't achieve the look you have in mind if you simply shoot with 7246, or any of the new stocks. They are just too smooth and too "good." In other words, the warm tones and contrast would have to be dealt with through lens choice, exposure, processing technique, ART DIRECTION (very important), and finally, the last bit of control on the overall color with the timing.
I recommend watching the reference films you have in mind and really looking at the things you like about them. Write down the top three things that you want to match with the look of your film. For example, is it rich shadows, low grain count, harsh outdoor lighting, browns, greens, etc. You have to start thinking like a DP.