Need IMAX Shooting Info. at DVinfo.net

Steve Elgar · September 12th, 2009, 12:33 AM

Not sure if this is the right place for it, but I need some info on shooting for IMAX.

It's just for an advertisement to be run in an IMAX theatre, so RED ? HDCAM SR ? XDCAM HD ? or maybe HDV be ok ??

Any suggestions ?

Thanks
Steve.

Steve House · September 12th, 2009, 05:26 AM

IMHO, anything that's just "OK" won't be good enough for IMAX. That screen is so big and so close that any image imperfection or softness is going to be glaringly apparent to the audience. Go for the sharpest, crispest image you can possibly afford to get and pay minute attention to focus. "Good enough" won't be.

Chris Hurd · September 12th, 2009, 08:33 AM

Moved from Taking Care of Business to HD and UHD ( 2K+ ) Digital Cinema.

Title changed from I'll Stick it Here! to Need IMAX Shooting Info.

Shaun Roemich · September 12th, 2009, 09:20 AM

For the record, Imax proper (not just the digital projections in an Imax theatre which is what I think you're talking about) is 70mm film which has nearly 10 TIMES the surface area of 35mm film.

If it's a digital screening in an Imax theatre, I worked on a piece in DVCam that was projected in an Imax theatre. I won't comment on the end result.

Steve Elgar · September 12th, 2009, 04:48 PM

Thanks Chris, for moving the thread to the right area.

Steve and Shaun thanks for the info. Yes i'm assuming it will be a digital projection of some sort. I don't think the client will be willing to spend money on an IMAX shoot. I've done a Hi8 to 35mm for cinema once before (long time ago) and the result was reasonable. Until I get all the details and budget from the client, I guess it's just a guessing game at this stage.

Alister Chapman · September 13th, 2009, 02:56 PM

If the budget is tight I would seriously consider something like an XDCAM EX recording on to a NanoFlash. SD will look very soft, HD has to be the minimum.

Shaun Roemich · September 13th, 2009, 04:45 PM

As well, since we are assuming it's a digital projection, find out what they are feeding the projector with. Is it an HD tape format VTR or is it a media streaming appliance/computer? The end delivery will HELP to define what you can/should source and deliver on.

If I'm reading between the lines correctly, this is a promo/commercial that would run before IMAX film presentations, much as digital programming precedes movies and trailers at my local multiplex. They will likely have a set delivery format specification.

On the other hand, if it is an IMAX rental for a corporate screening, you'll have the opportunity to bring in your own playback device and you'll need to find out what the projector can accept as input.

Dave Allen · September 27th, 2009, 12:51 AM

It is my understanding that Imax resolves at about 5k.

Steve Elgar · September 28th, 2009, 05:57 AM

Thanks Alister, Dave and Shaun. I got the specs today from one of the advertising production companies, and all they need is basically a .mov animation file (lossless), 1920x1080 (square pixels), 24 or 25 fps, RGB (Millions of colours) with audio as PCM 48Khz 16 bit. and thats it. So guess you can shoot on anything HD. Easy Peasy.

September 12th, 2009, 12:33 AM	#1
Steve Elgar Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Port Stephens NSW Australia Posts: 71	Need IMAX Shooting Info. Not sure if this is the right place for it, but I need some info on shooting for IMAX. It's just for an advertisement to be run in an IMAX theatre, so RED ? HDCAM SR ? XDCAM HD ? or maybe HDV be ok ?? Any suggestions ? Thanks Steve. Last edited by Steve Elgar; September 12th, 2009 at 03:56 AM. Reason: Hearing Aid fell out.

September 12th, 2009, 05:26 AM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	IMHO, anything that's just "OK" won't be good enough for IMAX. That screen is so big and so close that any image imperfection or softness is going to be glaringly apparent to the audience. Go for the sharpest, crispest image you can possibly afford to get and pay minute attention to focus. "Good enough" won't be. __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

September 12th, 2009, 08:33 AM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Moved from Taking Care of Business to HD and UHD ( 2K+ ) Digital Cinema. Title changed from I'll Stick it Here! to Need IMAX Shooting Info. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 12th, 2009, 09:20 AM	#4
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	For the record, Imax proper (not just the digital projections in an Imax theatre which is what I think you're talking about) is 70mm film which has nearly 10 TIMES the surface area of 35mm film. If it's a digital screening in an Imax theatre, I worked on a piece in DVCam that was projected in an Imax theatre. I won't comment on the end result. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 13th, 2009, 02:56 PM	#6
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	If the budget is tight I would seriously consider something like an XDCAM EX recording on to a NanoFlash. SD will look very soft, HD has to be the minimum. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

September 12th, 2009, 04:48 PM	#5
Steve Elgar Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Port Stephens NSW Australia Posts: 71	Thanks Chris, for moving the thread to the right area. Steve and Shaun thanks for the info. Yes i'm assuming it will be a digital projection of some sort. I don't think the client will be willing to spend money on an IMAX shoot. I've done a Hi8 to 35mm for cinema once before (long time ago) and the result was reasonable. Until I get all the details and budget from the client, I guess it's just a guessing game at this stage.

September 13th, 2009, 04:45 PM	#7
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	As well, since we are assuming it's a digital projection, find out what they are feeding the projector with. Is it an HD tape format VTR or is it a media streaming appliance/computer? The end delivery will HELP to define what you can/should source and deliver on. If I'm reading between the lines correctly, this is a promo/commercial that would run before IMAX film presentations, much as digital programming precedes movies and trailers at my local multiplex. They will likely have a set delivery format specification. On the other hand, if it is an IMAX rental for a corporate screening, you'll have the opportunity to bring in your own playback device and you'll need to find out what the projector can accept as input. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 27th, 2009, 12:51 AM	#8
Dave Allen Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 497	It is my understanding that Imax resolves at about 5k. __________________ Dave -

September 28th, 2009, 05:57 AM	#9
Steve Elgar Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Port Stephens NSW Australia Posts: 71	Thanks Alister, Dave and Shaun. I got the specs today from one of the advertising production companies, and all they need is basically a .mov animation file (lossless), 1920x1080 (square pixels), 24 or 25 fps, RGB (Millions of colours) with audio as PCM 48Khz 16 bit. and thats it. So guess you can shoot on anything HD. Easy Peasy.