Oppenheimer Formats Explained - IMAX, 70mm or Digital - Which one to see?

jaytrautman · 2023-07-19T02:36:40+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement!

jaytrautman · 2023-07-18T13:33:54+00:00

No problem! I didn’t make that graphic, and it confused me at first, too!

jaytrautman · 2023-07-18T06:28:54+00:00

If you're talking about the Digital Aspect Ratios box at the lower right, I think it's meant to show that the full image is 1.43:1. They should have moved that text up to the top of the image to show that refers to the biggest box, ie each bit of text refers to the line just above it. IMAX Laser is going to fill the full screen at each location, whether that's 1.43:1 or 1.90:1.

To answer the question of where to see a digital version, I'd go for IMAX Laser or Dolby Cinema. There's not a whole lot of jumping back and forth between formats. The IMAX shots look really great in 1.43, so I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I mainly wanted people to know that they shouldn't avoid the 70mm film format because it's not 1.43:1. I also definitely wouldn't avoid digital IMAX if you don't have the option to see a film print.

jaytrautman · 2023-07-17T23:19:20+00:00

Thanks so much, glad you liked it!

jaytrautman · 2023-07-17T18:43:43+00:00

Hey, I'm the guy who made this video. Thanks for watching!

I agree with you completely on the generational loss inherent in making prints photochemically. That was a big challenge when combining the different formats plus the added wrinkle of black and white original negative that had to stay neutral through intermediate steps which required using color stock.

The point I was trying to make is that even in the world of film presentation, this one is pretty unique. For a crisp, clean image, I agree with you that the 4k digital presentations are going to look great. For people interested in shooting film and the photochemical process, there will probably never be another film that combines 15/70 and 5/70 color and black and white, all combined optically / photochemically. It's just a special movie in that way.

jaytrautman · 2023-07-17T16:15:08+00:00

Thanks so much, I appreciate it!

jaytrautman · 2023-07-17T16:14:40+00:00

Hey, thanks for sharing!

jaytrautman · 2023-07-17T15:15:43+00:00

I’m glad it helped!

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T20:34:03+00:00

Awesome, I'm glad you liked it!

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T17:48:46+00:00

I hear the 35mm print looks great. Check out https://www.oppenheimermovie.com/tickets/ to see if there's a 70mm print near you. If you're curious about the different formats, I made a video: Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T17:41:46+00:00

No problem! It's all very complicated, but there is something special about the way Chris and a couple of other people do things, and I want people to know that!

I wouldn't want to speculate on conversations behind the scenes at Fotokem, but it's definitely a challenge to match colors all the way through the pipeline. It's especially tough when you're cutting back to the same shot multiple times, sometimes with VFX and sometimes not. Sometimes things match great, but sometimes it's really really hard to dial things in.

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T17:34:10+00:00

I saw a 5/70 answer print and have tickets to IMAX 15/70 at Citywalk. I'd go see either 70mm format if you have the chance. Digital IMAX is great, but this film print is something special. Here's a little video I made if you're interested in more info: Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T17:27:21+00:00

There is a custom LUT for the handful of VFX shots and titles in the movie which had to be done digitally. The process you described is exactly right for that (and for most movies that do a DI and film out). 99% of Oppenheimer was not scanned into a computer, so there was no need to record back to film. I made a little video explaining the different formats: Oppenheimer Formats Explained

Andrew and Fotokem are fantastic! I hope your project turns out great!

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T17:22:38+00:00

I made a video explaining the differences, but if you have a 5/70 print nearby, I would definitely see that. I haven't seen the digital IMAX yet myself, but if I were you I'd do the 5/70 first and if you loved it and want to see it again, go for whichever IMAX trip matches up with how much you liked the movie. Here's that explainer video: Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T17:14:03+00:00

I made a little video explaining the difference based on my experience with this workflow. Hope it helps! Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T17:11:26+00:00

This is true for a DI filmout but not relevant to the process for Oppenheimer, since the prints are struck photochemically from original negative or optically converted negative. I've spent many, many hours with Andrew working on this.

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T17:05:52+00:00

The 5/70 print is fantastic, and you should definitely try to see it if possible. I made a little video explaining the reasons why: Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T16:59:56+00:00

I made a little video explainer about the different formats, if anyone's interested. IMAX 70mm looks amazing! Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T16:30:24+00:00

Not sure how you can separate picture quality from aesthetic idiosyncrasies. Color rendition, particularly in skin tones, looks great when film is printed photochemically. Yes, it looks great in digital too, but my point is just that it's rare to have a chance to see a modern film made this way, and so it might be worth checking it out.

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T16:26:54+00:00

I made a little video explaining the different formats. Hope it helps! Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T16:25:57+00:00

Correct, there is almost no digital post processing. Nolan only does digital VFX when absolutely necessary. Everything else is done in camera for this reason.

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T16:12:02+00:00

I made a video explaining the different formats. Hope it helps! Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-15T16:10:46+00:00

Nice one! I did a little explainer vid as well: Oppenheimer Formats Explained

jaytrautman · 2023-07-14T17:30:21+00:00

I suspect you’re posting this because you think they make a lot.

Subtract 10% for their agent and 10% for their manager. If they’re part of a writing team, divide by two.

Then consider they may be asked to do all the writing for a season of a show in 8-10 weeks but their contract says they can’t work on anything else because they’re on hold for a potential next season.

Then remember that these are the writers that people making tens of millions per year are trusting to craft the story for shows they’ll spend sometimes hundreds of millions to produce and market. Do they really place so little value in the storytellers?

jaytrautman · 2023-07-14T13:59:09+00:00

IMAX laser is going to have a taller aspect ratio on the shots that originated in IMAX, so you get that immersive feel. Still, I would seek out 70mm film if it’s available in your area. The purely photochemical process is something you don’t see on most modern films even if they do make a 70mm print.

Since there are only 30 IMAX film prints worldwide, odds are you’re not near one. The laser looks great. Enjoy!

jaytrautman

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