Red and Lucasfilm?

[Tom Lowe]

So Indy 4 starts shooting in June. Obviously, Lucas will be pushing for HD, while Spielberg will want to stick with 35mm. Spielberg's best argument against HD is that the resolution and quality are "not there yet."

Even the Genesis is only 1080p, which is not "future proof" since people will have displays at home surpassing 1080p within a few years.

As far as I know, the only HD camera that might work for Indy 4 is the Red. Dalsa is just too big.

Question for Jim and the gang: Have you guys been talking to Lucasfilm?

And don't plead the Fifth!

 

[chuck colburn]

Hi Tom,

The Red is certainly going to make production a lot easier due to its size, (smaller heads, jib arms, batteries etc.) But I'm not quite sure by what you mean by the Dalsa being to big. I haven't seen one in person, but judging by the photos it doesn't look any larger than a Pana Platinum. And since it's being used on an Arri gear head it can't be any heavier.

http://www.dalsa.com/dc/origin/dc_design.asp

Chuck

 

[Shawn Nelson]

Great idea, but I severly doubt that Lucas and Spielberg would want to be first wave adopters of new technology on a movie like Indie 4, only a month after the product was released. I could see them doing a one-day Red side-by-side test but not the whole movie.

 

[Alex Boothby]

But isn't that exactly what Lucas did on Star Wars Episode 2 and bits of Episode 1?

 

[Isaac Brody]

From what little I read about Indy 4 it sounds like they won't be relying on many digital effects. They're planning on shooting it very similarly to the first three. I expect they're shooting on film with very little CGI. Spielberg is pretty pro film too, I doubt he'd suddenly change his tune.

 

[Poi Boy]

Probably film but I would guess lots of cgi.
Aloha
-A

 

[Mardi_Gras]

Should the RedOne ship as scheduled and with all of the anticipated specs, by April (NAB), then quite frankly I see Lucas and Spielberg agreeing to include it in their prod schedule. It'll be a no brainer, since they'd have a few weeks at least, to test one of them.

Even though Spielberg is largely considered a traditional "film man", he will be wooed over to the very filmlike 4k images the RedOne will produce, making their prod decisions even easier.

Just my guess.

 

[Don Woods]

Well I don't think just to have the camera ready and shipping in time is enough of a step forward for a big studio to use the RED ONE Cam. Although I agree that the Red would be a perfect fit for Indy 4. Big studio's need to see a full production pipeline in place and proven. From actual shooting with the RED ONE, to the footage all the way through the post production pipeline. Although I and most of use belive this will be a simple thing to acomplish. But big studios with big money on big films, like things that have been tried and true. That is why the porn industry and independent film makers, are the first to push new technolagey into the main stream. And then the studio's catch on.

 

[Michael Struthers]

Lucas and Spielberg are both counting on making millions and millions and no way are they going to risk it with a new tech just out the box.

However, I imagine the first dp that shoots a feature (that looks great) with a Red One will be in strong demand at top dollar for a few years as more directors say "Let's try that look..."

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

That is why the porn industry and independent film makers, are the first to push new technolagey into the main stream. And then the studio's catch on.

...I tell ya, 4K porn is where it's at.

 

[Tom Lowe]

Great idea, but I severly doubt that Lucas and Spielberg would want to be first wave adopters of new technology on a movie like Indie 4, only a month after the product was released.

Well Lucas literally help design and push forward the F900 working with Panavision and Sony. You cannot tell me Lucas is afraid being a first-wave adopter! But Spielberg is another story.

What I was wondering is if the Red team has been talking to Lucasfilm at all? Who knows, if Lucas is intrigued by the camera, he might talk Spielberg into trying it out, maybe doing second-unit stuff. Think of how big that would be for Red.

It was just a thought.

 

[Poi Boy]

I don't think lucas and spielberg are sitting around thinking "if only we could get a less expensive digital cinema camera that takes the place of film: then we would be truly free to create " I think not.
Aloha
-A

 

[Mardi_Gras]

Trust me, Lucas has used and obviously loves digital. If the Red team are not already in talks with him, he most probably would have heard of it. My guess would be, he will try it out, love it and then include it amongst other traditional capture methods in his workflow.

Spielberg will respect his wishes and the RedOne would have made history, making all owners of this piece of tech gem, a priceless bunch

 

[Tom Lowe]

Well, listen, I could definitely see Lucas and Spielberg sitting down and having a long, detailed conversation about all this. Lucas is on record, from like two years ago, saying that he has been trying hard to get Spielberg to switch to HD. Lucas is religious about HD.

But Lucas will lose this argument, because all he can offer Spielberg is 1080p (Genesis). Then all Spielberg has to say is, "Not enough resolution, George," and the conversation is over.

My guess is that, one way or another, Lucas is going to try to bring some HD cameras into this shoot. I could be wrong, but you know he wants to. And remember, Lucas is partially bankrolling Indy 4 out of his own fat pocket.

Edit: I like your optimism, Mardi!

 

[Mardi_Gras]

But Lucas will lose this argument, because all he can offer Spielberg is 1080p (Genesis). Then all Spielberg has to say is, "Not enough resolution, George," and the conversation is over.

... And with 4k+ resolution from the RedOne, Lucas's arguments, plus of course being a co-exec producer, will hold sway and RedOne will be snuck in, making Spielberg go, "Whatever you say, George, its your money, too"?[/QUOTE]

Edit: I like your optimism, Mardi!

Thanks Tom.

 

[Poi Boy]

I just don't think it is that important to them for this film. Lucas is definately an HD head and will undoubtedly buy many Red cameras but I can not believe that they are sitting around thinking about usung red for indie 4.
Aloha
-A

 

[Tom Lowe]

You guys are probably right, but let's face it, Lucas took a huge risk shooting his $100-million Attack of the Clones on an almost brand-new F900. He didn't do that for his health... he is very, very interested in promoting HD technology.

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

I hate to ask the obvious but:

Why wouldn't Spielberg shoot on film? He's used to it, he likes it, and it'll probably produce better results.

 

[Digigenic]

...and it'll probably produce better results.

And an uncomfortable silence suddenly fell over the reduser forums before somebody whispers..."oh no he just didn't"

 

[Poi Boy]

I don't think it would be a better result but Spielberg doesn't need to save a million on his 100 million dollar movie. He will be one of the last to go digital whereas Lucas loves the workflow and red will be a no brainer for him.
Aloha
-A