lens confusion.. film vs video.

Charles Papert · March 15th, 2004, 07:34 AM

I have heard of a few fillms that were made with a single focal length. Wes Anderson is fond of this, I know that both Bottle Rocket and Rushmore used (allegedly) one focal length each. Bottle Rocket was a 27mm I think; don't remember what Rushmore used (40mm?). No idea about Royal Tannenbaums.

I do not believe that in this day and age, a viewer could find anything jarring about multiple focal lengths in use.

The practice of moving in for a closeup on a wide lens is often shunned as it distorts the facial features (especially considered a no-no for the ladies), unless this is the desired effect.

Alfred Okocha · March 16th, 2004, 03:45 AM

Hi!

I wrote a post here yesterday which seems to have disappeared.. weird.

Anyway, if nobody could see the difference, why would a director chose to shot an entire movie with one focal length? Just for the hell of it?

Is there any of this that applies to video too? Should you not have the lens wideopen when you shot a lady?

Thanks for your answers, they are great!

Charles Papert · March 16th, 2004, 10:56 AM

Here is a link with some great interview material with Wes Anderson about "Bottle Rocket". About 2/3 of the way down the page he describes his logic about shooting the entire film on a 27mm prime.

This one mentions the 40mm anamorphic lens that was used primarily but not exclusively (so that was my bad) on "Rushmore".

I recall some classic western being made with a single lens but I don't remember which one.

March 15th, 2004, 07:34 AM	#16
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	I have heard of a few fillms that were made with a single focal length. Wes Anderson is fond of this, I know that both Bottle Rocket and Rushmore used (allegedly) one focal length each. Bottle Rocket was a 27mm I think; don't remember what Rushmore used (40mm?). No idea about Royal Tannenbaums. I do not believe that in this day and age, a viewer could find anything jarring about multiple focal lengths in use. The practice of moving in for a closeup on a wide lens is often shunned as it distorts the facial features (especially considered a no-no for the ladies), unless this is the desired effect. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 16th, 2004, 10:56 AM	#18
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Here is a link with some great interview material with Wes Anderson about "Bottle Rocket". About 2/3 of the way down the page he describes his logic about shooting the entire film on a 27mm prime. This one mentions the 40mm anamorphic lens that was used primarily but not exclusively (so that was my bad) on "Rushmore". I recall some classic western being made with a single lens but I don't remember which one. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

March 16th, 2004, 03:45 AM	#17
Alfred Okocha Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: London Posts: 427	Hi! I wrote a post here yesterday which seems to have disappeared.. weird. Anyway, if nobody could see the difference, why would a director chose to shot an entire movie with one focal length? Just for the hell of it? Is there any of this that applies to video too? Should you not have the lens wideopen when you shot a lady? Thanks for your answers, they are great!