2k Anamorphic Theatrical Release

[Joseph Coleman]

I'm working on visual effects for a movie that was shot Anamorphic 2:1. Our delivery format is 2k 2048 by 1556.

My question is...In the era of digital projection are anamorphic films still projected through an anamorphic lens to achieve the proper frame aspect ratio or does the final DCP just scale the image down to 2048 by 858 and then project through a typical spherical lens?

The reason why I ask is we caught one of out vendors rendering the visual effects at 2048 by 778 and scaling the image up to delivery format rather than rendering at 2048 by 1556 at 2:1 pixel aspect ratio. So, my second question is, is that standard practice for visual effects on anamorphic films?

I can see that being ok if the final DCP is scaled down. But I've always seen one of the benefits of shooting Anamorphic is the increased resolution.

 

[Phil Holland]

Last several anamorphic features I worked on were worked at and finished flat.

 

[Marc Wielage]

As far as I know, 2048x858 is pretty standard for final DCP delivery of 2.40 feature films. How the effects are rendered would be a decision by the visual effects supervisor and the post supervisor, and there are good reasons to extend the effect all the way to the edge of the image area depending on the masking applied later on. If the image were squeezed, then 2048x1556 sounds right to me and is what I've always used in post.

I don't find there is any real increase in resolution with anamorphic lenses because the lenses (to me) are softer than spherical lenses anyway, even with Primos and similar high-end lenses. Anamorphic glass has other artistic qualities that some DPs like, and I concede it's a creative choice. I'd be curious to find out from the VFX why they chose to do their work at 2048x778, which sounds goofy and non-standard to me.

I agree with Phil above that most of the A-list Hollywood features I know of shoot in 1.78 flat and then mask off to 2.40 for the final, though they do a squeeze during the final D.I.

 

[Joseph Coleman]

Thanks Phil, what do you mean by flat?

 

[Dave_S]

Hi Joseph,
I believe Flat means 1.85:1

 

[Keith Putnam]

There is no anamorphic DCI projection specification. All DCPs are projected spherically. There are only four acceptable aspect ratios for a DCP container: 16:9, 1.85:1, 1.89:1 (hence FF on the Epic being a 1.9:1 aspect ratio) and 2.39:1. Those come in both '2K' and '4K' flavors.

It is always wise to be aware of your precise delivery specs when shooting.

 

[Phil Holland]

Thanks Phil, what do you mean by flat?

"Unsqueezed".

Keith's nailed it.

There is no anamorphic DCI projection specification. All DCPs are projected spherically. There are only four acceptable aspect ratios for a DCP container: 16:9, 1.85:1, 1.89:1 (hence FF on the Epic being a 1.9:1 aspect ratio) and 2.39:1. Those come in both '2K' and '4K' flavors.

It is always wise to be aware of your precise delivery specs when shooting.