"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[MerrickG]

Penton,

Props goes out to you for making these comments. I get the feeling that *some* of the DNR people are complaining about was in fact the Directors intention and its important that people understand the difference.

[horseflesh]

Come on Penton, what title are you alluding to?!?!??

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

You've raised a long-standing archival ethical dilemma.

I believe one needs to view it from two different perspectives.

If the film is a summertime blockbuster that garnered no awards, one may be dealing with one situation.

I see some people above would disagree with your criteria.

Anyway, when I decide to obtain an *outside* opinion, I usually address all my “long-standing archival ethical dilemma” questions to another Robert, that being Gitt…………………
http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/calendar/..._type=2&id=281

Be that as it may, no “U.S” awards but, I believe it was nominated for two BAFTA awards (do they count?), one being for Best Sound the other for best Costume design or some such category.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

But let's take this a step further,

RAH

To take it a “step further” see post # 4272, since you recently seem to be so preoccupied with DNR.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

OK guys, we loosened up the last few days for fun, but please return to your reguarly scheduled format of Q&A and serious discussion.

since it got lost on the last page

How did Bill (Hunt) sleep last night ?
Inquiring studio minds would like to know.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Penton, Wicky, Robert or Max,

Bill Hunt mentioned that there is a LOT going on behind the scenes right now.

Any hints? Is it stuff to be excited about?

More like an Excedrin headache.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Come on Penton, what title are you alluding to?!?!??

The 1st case (flying basketballs), I shant tell.

The second case (post # 4272), I'll await further opinions from Wicky and others.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Penton, that's not the problem and you know it.......

What I know is that the “problem” isn’t as *widespread*, nor as *intentional* as hyped on internet forums.

Some balance is needed.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Not well I would imagine!

I know I have been brought to task by friendlies at News Corp. I got a warning this morning.

You know what they say……”Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

You don't want to know...

I can't wait until August 1st when I'm free of all this.

When does the Premier League start up again?

[HeavyHitter]

Wow, some of us being taken to task for speaking out too much about DNR?

[Robert Harris]

Putting DNR aside for the moment, my use of the Awards concept was in a general sense.

We all are aware what films are considered serious or "art" within a decade. These changes are generally made well after that.

Let's go to a specific.

In 1989, after Lawrence reared its head, the OCN of the Best Picture of the following year was re-cut by its creator, with no sep masters.

How does one handle that one?

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

You don't want to know...

I can't wait until August 1st when I'm free of all this.

Sounds bad.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

O.K.
Suppose a Director made a film in which he was never happy with the theatrical presentation.

Given the current topic on the forums by *authorities * on DNR, suppose the original negative was just too grainy for his liking but given the reality of the original shoot there wasn’t really much he (the Director) or the DP could do to alleviate the situation back in the day.

Years later, said film then goes to a post/restoration facility to be “restored” or “remastered” with the intention of an eventual Blu-ray home media release.

If the DP was present during the restoration of the D5 master tape, and directly indicated that he desired some digital grain reduction (given the unhappiness over the original theatrical presentation)…………would you consider it *kosher* that the Blu-ray edition not be *true* to the theatrical presentation (or what everyone considers to be the “original version”) ?

It would be logical to assume that in many instances the original artistic intent of the director was not realized due to the technological limitations of the era. For example, I am a huge science fiction fan and I zero doubt that the director's vision of what the film should be was often marred by the inability to create a realistic rendition. Nobody can tell that me that hanging plastic space ships with wires is what any director would have used unless there were no other alternatives. A "restored" edition that is not a clone of the original presentation is acceptable if the director of the original film approves of the changes. Innovation is usually met by resistance, and that will always be the case. Careful use of technological developments along with artistic guidance from the films' director could produce a rendition of the film that is superior to the original presentation. In my opinion, Patton and Blade Runner look incredible. On the other hand, some of the scenes from The Longest Day are an embarrassment. Perhaps, my comments will be dismissed and that is acceptable. Thankfully, we live in a society where the market is driven by consumer's tastes and preferences.

[Robert Harris]

Titan,

We're in agreement re: rear projection and mattes in LD. Possibly unavoidable. Even worse are mattes in films such as The African Queen, which look laughable by today's standards.

Do we clean them up?

My feeling is yes, but not on preservation elements.

[WickyWoo]

We're in agreement re: rear projection and mattes in LD. Possibly unavoidable. Even worse are mattes in films such as The African Queen, which look laughable by today's standards.

Do we clean them up?

My feeling is yes, but not on preservation elements.

I fully agree that preservation of all elements is first priority, that way if mistakes are made there is always something to come back to

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

In 1989, after Lawrence reared its head, the OCN of the Best Picture of the following year was re-cut by its creator, with no sep masters.

How does one handle that one?

Dances With Wolves?

[cjamescook]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Good.
Then suppose you have another case where the DP, not just “approved” but also sat in on the DI coloring sessions with a working colorist, and both of them decided on using some digital processing tool which gives the appearance of DNR or what people *think* is DNR………… with the ultimate “approval” of the Director, before the files were filmed out for the subsequent theatrical presentation.

As opined previously, they are the authority, so, by definition, they are right, no? However, everyone is still entitled to their opinions (and will have them).

Allow me to ask one question back:
There are some very sensitive eyes in this forum. Sometimes "sensitive" really means "educated", as in "once you teach me what to look for, I will always see it." Are all DPs and DIs equally sensitive (educated)? Are they always reviewing their work using venues suitable to spot what others might classify as problems?

-Jim
"Penton's day job may be a hair cutter, but I'm a Cook, 7/24."

[MerrickG]

A PLEAD to the insiders and Moderators:

Can we PLEASE stop with all this excessive DNR talk? As of late NOTHING good seems to be coming from it and its really turning off a lot of members.

I respect the argument being raised here, but some of us would like to ask general questions and are getting tired of seeing our questions disappear behind a bunch of "DNR is bad" posts.

In short, Im politely asking that we return some sanity to the insiders threads.

I used to be excited to see what sort of hints we were getting in regards to future titles in the works, but now I usually leave the thread bummed out after seeing bickering about DNR.

I hope this post does not come across as disrespectful to the insiders OR the issue that the insiders are discussing.

I think the point has been made and I feel that further discussion is causing nothing but further disagreements.

Thank you,
Merrick

[saprano]

Maby we need a separate DNR thread?.....imagine that.