TECH VISTAVISION
IS FOR VISTAVISION
VistaVision, Paramount’s once-forgotten widescreen format, is enjoying an unlikely revival. We speak with DOP Robbie Ryan, BSC, ISC and Paramount’s Charlotte Barker to find out more
WORDS OLIVER WEBB V istaVision is experiencing an of filmmakers and DOPs fall in love with the format, drawn in by its distinctive style and classic film texture, it is time to dive into what exactly VistaVision is, who’s using it... and why? Before the fifties, most Hollywood films were shot in the 4:3 frame known as the Academy ratio. That changed in 1953 when 20th Century Fox introduced CinemaScope, bringing widescreen images to theatres across the US. Other studios soon followed, developing their own widescreen processes in an effort to compete with the growing popularity of television. unexpected renaissance and is once again at the forefront of filmmaking. As a new generation
One such studio was Paramount Pictures, which introduced VistaVision in 1954. Rather than relying on anamorphic lenses to capture a wider field of view, the system uses horizontally running 35mm film to create a larger negative area. By exposing eight perforations per frame instead of the standard four, VistaVision captures significantly more image information while remaining in the familiar ecosystem of 35mm production. Although VistaVision negatives are shot horizontally, most theatrical prints would end up being reduced to the standard vertical 35mm format before projection. However, the larger negative still allows for finer grain and improved image clarity, even after that optical reduction process.
12
DEFINITIONMAGAZINE.COM
Powered by FlippingBook