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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Aspect Ratio for Cinema Release

Capture acquisition format and display/projection format are interesting decisions.

Couple general things to think about.

- A good deal of motion pictures are show in theaters at 1.85:1.

- "Epic" movies such as summer blockbusters tend to be more in the 2.40:1 range.

- Most modern displays have native aspection ratio of 1.78:1 (16x9)

Now capture acquisition format versus your final format can be different and most shoot with some sort of "frame and focus" guide that assists with framing appropriately, but also capture at a slightly larger aspect ratio (and these days resolution) to allow for reframing and cropping at a later time. However, that's not to say you can't shoot at your desired aspect ratio, you just won't have that "creative freedom" after the fact.

Me personally? I've grown rather fond of the 2:1 aspect ratio. However, commercially speaking 1:85 makes a lot of sense as there's a minimal crop going to a 16x9 screen if you desire that fitted finish at some point. With 2.40:1 and going to 16x9 later on you loose a fairly noticeable chunk of your image. However, that may never matter if you can pull off your native aspect ratio through home delivery.

The real answer is what do you want from your image? What sort of genre is your project and what feel would you like? There's always the creative and technical answer on this front.

Phil Holland said:
CommonCinemaAspectRatios.jpg

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Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the quick response :) The film is an action/mystery very much in the style of the 'Bourne Trilogy'. It is going to be shot in a very similar style to the 'Bourne' Films. I'm going specifically after the Bourne Ultimatum feel.
 
Some conversation on this at this past link:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?74305-Choosing-an-aspect-ratio

I think choice of aspect ratio is both a technical and an artistic decision, and there are pros and cons on many choices. Me personally, I think 1.85 works fine for 90% of most films out there. I'm not sure 2.40 really buys you anything unless there's something really specific about horizontal action and framing that applies to the specific story you're trying to tell. I also think 1.85 works better for intimate human dramas, simply because close-ups work better, and you have more vertical space in the theater.

No question, for a big action epic like a car chase movie or a science-fiction spectacle, 2.40 works great.
 
Personally I really dislike 1.85 and its interesting to hear how some filmmakers have regretted not filming in 'scope.' Such as James Cameron with Aliens.

But you have to use it wisely. For example despite wanting to shoot The Avengers in 2.35:1 they couldn't since it would mean the Hulk would have been constantly cut off at the shoulders when framing him with other teammates. So it's also a practical issue as well, beyond just being artistic.
 
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