Sony Pictures: Shooting in 4K Resolution

[J_UNTITLED]

From ComingSoon.net (Original Source: Sony Electronics)

- " Sony Pictures Entertainment will use 4K digital technology in the making of most of its filmed productions, it was announced by Sony Electronics.

"With the industry moving rapidly to embrace the improvement in quality that digital cinema can offer, we believe that 4K resolution gives audiences the best seat in the house," said Gary Martin, president of Production Administration and Studio Operations for Sony Pictures Entertainment. "That's why we will be making more of our filmed productions at full 4K resolution, scanning at 4K, using a 4K workflow process, and releasing a 4K DCP to theaters. The crisp and vibrant images provided by 4K are the only way to ensure that audiences both today and in the future will really be able to see the full range of what we can capture on film."

Sony Pictures has already released the summer blockbuster Hancock in 4K, with the motion picture grossing more than $600 million at the worldwide box office to date. Movies released in 4K can play in theaters with either 4K or 2K projectors. Among the next motion pictures to be digitally imaged in 4K by Sony Pictures, and available for 4K distribution, are expected to be 2012, Salt, and The Green Hornet, with more titles to be announced.

"This commitment from Sony Pictures continues the momentum that is building behind 4K," said Gary Johns, vice president, Digital Cinema Systems Division at Sony Electronics. "Exhibitors are realizing that 4K is a reality now, for enhancing their customers' experiences, and studio support is a critical element to take advantage of the superior resolution of Sony's 4K projection system. The growing number of 4K-equipped theaters will now have even more 4K content potentially available to offer their customers."

More information about SXRD(TM) 4K digital cinema systems is available online here."

Considering 4K is still not up to the standard of resolution that regular ol' celluloid can provide, I don't really find this particularly positive.

[cembros]

this is positive in that we can be sure that the blu ray transfers from movies released in 4k will be of the highest quality

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by cembros

this is positive in that we can be sure that the blu ray transfers from movies released in 4k will be of the highest quality

Still not as high as actual film.

[Oddiophile]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

From ComingSoon.net (Original Source: Sony Electronics)





Considering 4K is still not up to the standard of resolution that regular ol' celluloid can provide, I don't really find this particularly positive.

35mm film is ruffly the equivalent of 4000 resolution.

http://filmschoolonline.com/sample_l...HD_vs_35mm.htm

[cembros]

yes it may not be as high as film but it will make the transition to blu ray eaiser and will likely elliminate the need for process such as EE and DNR leading to a better blu ray quality. Blu ray cannot replicate the quality of either film or 4k so the fact that movies will be shot if 4k will simply ease the transition to home video

[Deciazulado]

When you say not as high as actual film, you mean, 35mm film projection, prints, internegatives, interpositives, negatives, 70mm projection, prints, internegatives, interpoitives, negatives? IMAX?

35mm projection is lower than 4K

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by cembros

yes it may not be as high as film but it will make the transition to blu ray eaiser and will likely elliminate the need for process such as EE and DNR leading to a better blu ray quality. Blu ray cannot replicate the quality of either film or 4k so the fact that movies will be shot if 4k will simply ease the transition to home video

Well, to me that is no reason to make the quality of what one sees in a theater (or just the original intended format of a movie in general) suffer.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

Still not as high as actual film.

You are about to be 0wned....

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

When you say not as high as actual film, you mean, 35mm film projection, prints, internegatives, interpositives, negatives, 70mm projection, prints, internegatives, interpoitives, negatives? IMAX?

35mm projection is lower than 4K

.........and there it is

[Petra_Kalbrain]

I believe that the article is stating that they will be filming in 4K DIGITAL resolution from now on. Thus, since their is no film stock upon which the image will be captured, there will be significantly less grain in the capturing of the scene. ... I could very well be wrong though. I don't have the patience to research it further at the moment.

I see this as good news. I want my image to be as realistically clean as it can be to represent what I would see with my own eyes if I were there in person while they were filming!

[Josh]

Regardless of what policies SPE implements at the corporate level, if a director wishes to use film stock, you best believe that they probably will go for it. What they are doing is laying down a plan make available the technology to all their production units - which is a great idea.

Standard 35mm film is right around 4K, give or take. Hollywood is universally mastering at 4K level right now (though, some are venturing into 6K and 8K, which is really only necessary for larger film stock), so it make sense to shoot in the format that you'll be mastering in.

That's another reason that you probably shouldn't expect a 4K video format out of Hollywood. They are not about to sell you their masters!

[dobyblue]

If it ain't 70mm, I don't go see it.

http://www.redballoon.net/current70mmforeign.html

As this list shows, I haven't been to the cinema in a long time.
All the 70mm cinemas in Toronto seem to have turned into parking lots or malls.

(I'm being facetious about not going, but I do think it's sad)

All cinemas should be like the Leicester Square Odeon in London.

[4K2K]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

I believe that the article is stating that they will be filming in 4K DIGITAL resolution from now on. Thus, since their is no film stock upon which the image will be captured, there will be significantly less grain in the capturing of the scene. ... I could very well be wrong though. I don't have the patience to research it further at the moment.

I don't think so, and I think the title of this thread might be misleading (ie. I don't think they are "shooting in 4K resolution").

The article says they are "making more of our filmed productions at full 4K resolution, scanning at 4K, using a 4K workflow process, and releasing a 4K DCP to theaters".

They're basically still using film (not digital video cameras), and scanning them at 4K resolution (if they were video cameras they wouldn't need to scan them). The title of the article linked to is misleading too, as it says "
"Sony to Make and Release 4K Digital Films" when really they are recorded on film, scanned at 4K, and released to digital cinemas in digital form. I'm assuming that means all the colour grading is done in 4K, maybe compositing? I wonder if they do all the CGI at 4K too?

[SkillzthatKillz]

tight, i heard speed racer had an awesome pq on blu-ray and it was filmed on digital HD cameras...if only that movie had HD audio

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by 4K2K

I don't think so, and I think the title of this thread might be misleading (ie. I don't think they are "shooting in 4K resolution").

The article says they are "making more of our filmed productions at full 4K resolution, scanning at 4K, using a 4K workflow process, and releasing a 4K DCP to theaters".

They're basically still using film (not digital video cameras), and scanning them at 4K resolution (if they were video cameras they wouldn't need to scan them). The title of the article linked to is misleading too, as it says "
"Sony to Make and Release 4K Digital Films" when really they are recorded on film, scanned at 4K, and released to digital cinemas in digital form. I'm assuming that means all the colour grading is done in 4K, maybe compositing? I wonder if they do all the CGI at 4K too?

I think SPE is speaking in general terms. If Spielberg comes to them one day with a great pitch that can be done for less than US$20 million all-in but he wants to shoot AND edit on film, I don't think they'll turn him down on that. For other lesser directors, it'll be 4K.

Even then, it's still up to the directors involved. The comment you highlighted is just to highlight the 4K workflow. The director can shoot on film and then the film will be scanned at 4K, have its VFX done at 4K, and be color corrected and edited at 4K to yield a 4K master.

HOWEVER, it doesn't mean that SPE will turn down a project because a director want to use a 4K digital camera. Instead of scanning, the project will be shot using 4K digital cameras and the rough footage will go straight into logging to be edited at 4K, have the VFX done at 4K, and mastered at 4K. You Don't Mess With The Zohan was shot using Panasonic's Genesis camera and it looks real good.

Is this a good thing? Sure since 4K projected is essentially the same as 35mm as Deci said. It also benefits the environment as less 35mm footage needs to be used and recycled. If all cinemas go 4K projection right now, it'll benefit the environment tremendously.

If SPE wants to make an Imax feature like portions of The Dark Knight, 8K is the minimum.


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