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

[Jeff Kleist]

Don't ruin it

[GabrielB]

Thanks again Jeff for the info. Good to know you think they'll come around.

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

More and more movies are using it when creating their DIs, Iron Man is one of them for instance.

Was DNR applied only to even out the contrast between anamorphic and super35 capture?

I remember the theatrical showing (35mm) and noticed strong grain at times and took note of that to see if the future BD would have the same grain present.

One of the scene was the escape from the underground tunnel in the desert.

I actually liked the fact the grain wasn't even from shots to shots. It helped, for me anyway, create that chaotic tension in the action. Now that contrast is gone from the BD. But if you're saying the DI was DNRed, I expect they adjusted again the grain for the disc releases...


So if more and more movies are using DNR when creating their DIs, does that choice come from the director's and DP's artistic intent or pressure from the studio? Do studios (like Warner) push the creators to apply DNR on their films? If so, did Zach Snyder had to fight a long battle to get his look approved by WB?

[Jeff Kleist]

In the case of Iron Man, a big reason it was likely applied was to smooth the CG shots in with the live action and create consistancy

I am unaware of any pressure on filmmakers.

I saw Iron Man in DLP and the Blu is consistant with my memory of it.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Amongst other endurance mountain bike races.

I’ll post a pic of one of my Finisher's jerseys from that event when I get back home (this evening after work) from the Wall of Fame in my Man’s Room………..or to which my wife affectionately refers to as “your own personal bar with all that junk hanging on the wall that nobody knows or cares about and just serves to collect dust”.

Jim, as per above –

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by GabrielB

I remember the theatrical showing (35mm) and noticed strong grain at times......

I actually liked the fact the grain wasn't even from shots to shots....

It’s quite ironic that you say that because the film’s Director (Jon Favreau) is not a fan of grainy films.

In fact, so much so, that he originally wanted to shoot Iron Man completely with Panavision Genesis HD cameras.

And although ultimately Millennium and Millennium XL cameras (film) were used for 99% of the acquisition, the cinematographer (Libatique) was so sensitive to the Director’s aversion to heavy grain that he intentionally tried to create a consistently finely grained film.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by GabrielB

So if more and more movies are using DNR when creating their DIs, does that choice come from the director's and DP's artistic intent or pressure from the studio? Do studios (like Warner) push the creators to apply DNR on their films?

Perhaps you missed this post that I made early in Oct. -
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=5551

^
Just substitute dnr for “blurring” and my response is still applicable.

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

And although ultimately Millennium and Millennium XL cameras (film) were used for 99% of the acquisition, the cinematographer (Libatique) was so sensitive to the Director’s aversion to heavy grain that he intentionally tried to create a consistently finely grained film.

Matt Libatique is a great, underrated DP. What he did on Darren Aronofsky's first three films was really exceptional - and I'm not merely talking about the Snorricam thing. If you want consistently coarsely grained film, look at Pi.

If you are at all into cinematography, the audio commentary he gives on the Requiem for a Dream DVD is recommended.

Come to think of it:

Any word on the Blu-ray releases of Requiem and Pi? Lionsgate pre-announced them in January 2007, never to be heard of again.

[aygie]

Originally Posted by Grubert

Matt Libatique is a great, underrated DP. What he did on Darren Aronofsky's first three films was really exceptional - and I'm not merely talking about the Snorricam thing. If you want consistently coarsely grained film, look at Pi.

If you are at all into cinematography, the audio commentary he gives on the Requiem for a Dream DVD is recommended.

Come to think of it:

Any word on the Blu-ray releases of Requiem and Pi? Lionsgate pre-announced them in January 2007, never to be heard of again.

Off topic, Grubert you can't change your avatar. Sorry you just can't, how are we supposed to instantly recognise your posts!

Requiem was a great film but one i've only managed a couple of times, he did well creating the whole uncomfortable imagery, but the master still is Gaspar Noé.

[JimSD]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Jim, as per above –

Thanks. Very cool. So that is done as two person teams? Obviously long distances day after day and lots of climbing make it difficult - how technical are the downhill stretches?

[Penton-Man]

Yes, two-person teams.

How technical?
Like hike-a-bike walking downhill with a rope line (if you’re lucky), or in this case -
bear-sliding-on-butt style…………………………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvfMA7DXmeg

And when someone tries to defy one of Newton’s Laws…………and fails, the Medi-Vac Helicopters are kept busy , but as this ole timer notes at the end of the clip – “but that should move us up at least one place anyway” …………………..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQTWoMuRxoY

Later, gotta go vote.

[GabrielB]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

It’s quite ironic that you say that because the film’s Director (Jon Favreau) is not a fan of grainy films.

It's weird then because he did choose to shoot on super35 for a part of the movie to get a rougher look, no?

If he doesn't like grain he could have chosen to shoot to whole thing on anamorphic... Must have still been sensible in getting different looks...

And yeah I know you don't like "I remember at the theater I saw..." kind of comments. (unless it's Rob Tomlin ) Maybe the 35mm prints were grainier than the DLP showings because of the generations for duplicating.

In fact, so much so, that he originally wanted to shoot Iron Man completely with Panavision Genesis HD cameras.

But those cameras are not super smooth. I find they have a veil of noise always present (which is uglier than film grain imo), and lack some sort of depth or punch.

I never understood Bryan Singer when he said that now with these cameras it was better than film.

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

I've seen all Bond movies plenty of times.

In order of preference:

Quantum of Solace
Thunderball
Live and Let Die
Dr. No
Goldeneye
Casino Royale

The rest are much of a muchness...

Watch this new one first and then judge it, it is seriously awesome, could become the highest grossing Bond movie of all time...

Well the fact you haven't even mentioned "From Russia with Love" in that list i couldn't possibly take your opinion seriously.

On a side note QoS is indeed a decent Bond but a totally different Bond from the previous movies. The franchise is heading in a new direction of sequels. I enjoyed the movie very much.

[Brain Sturgeon]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

It was amazing to see it all unfold, even though I'm not American.
It felt like one of those "Where were you when....." moments.
Me, I was on the couch until after 5am

Horseflesh,

Funny you should say that. The last moment I remember like that was 9/11. Where was I? Sitting on a couch with my wife, glued to the TV until the wee hours in the morning, in an apartment in Swords, Ireland.

Cheers mate!

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by Brain Sturgeon

Horseflesh,

Funny you should say that. The last moment I remember like that was 9/11. Where was I? Sitting on a couch with my wife, glued to the TV until the wee hours in the morning, in an apartment in Swords, Ireland.

Cheers mate!

You have GOT to be kidding
I live in Swords.

[eChopper]

<twilight zone music>

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by eChopper

<twilight zone music>

I know.
And that's not like saying "I live in New York"; Swords is a small (although growing) suburb of Dublin city.
Even if BS had said he was in Dublin, that would have been spooky enough.
But Swords.........

[Esox50]

Let's keep the politics off here, and get back to dicsussing our beloved films and Blu-Ray.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Brain Sturgeon

I know politics are a no-no around here, but I just had to say that I have never been so proud to be an American as I am today, after seeing the celebration of the democratic process in the United States today. Regardless of which way anyone voted, our engagement in the political process and celebration of freedom in this election has been a shining beacon in a world full of bad news, violence, and crises.

Senator McCain's concession speech was as gracious as they come, and President-Elect Obama's speech was what hope is made of:

+1.
The whole world was watching us last night and we done good.
Well done by both Presidential candidates.

I’ll bet your left middle frontal gyrus was working overtime watching/listening to each person’s speech.
Mine surely was with my lacrimal glands secreting copious amounts of fluid.

I’ll tell you one thing, I got on the phone shortly after the 270 electoral mark was achieved and made a bunch of intercontinental calls to friends overseas so, I’ll be quite hesitant to check out my next phone bill that comes in the mail.

[Uxi]

I'll admit, I googled lacrimal. My BS meter went off for both speeches, and generally all politicians, but I'm a cynic like that.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Esox50

Let's keep the politics off here, and get back to dicsussing our beloved films and Blu-Ray.

Agreed, but give everyone a little break on this because what happened last night transcended “politics” and fits into the category of “history” and especially the “democratic process” given voter turn-out.

Anyway, onto film stuff.
I’ll take two questions as submitted above.