Danny Boyle's SI-2K film winning awards

Jack Walker · February 9th, 2009, 02:05 AM

Slumdog won Bafta's best picture, director, adapted screenplay, music, cinematography, editing, and sound.

The significance of the cinematography award is much more than the digital camera. It is how this camera made a revolutionary shooting style possible (with equipment adaptations developed throughout the shoot). The results are seamless and spectacular. Not to mention, film and DLSR footage was also part of the picture.

One is literally "inside the frame" in this movie. There is never the "feel" of a steadicam or a crane or a dolly, just the feel of being hurtled forward through the story.

As well, the camera gave beautiful pictures, the most organic and seamless digital camera footage I have seen, and I have seen virtually all the movies the past 5 years shot on digital.

(On many levels "Slumdog Millionaire" is phenomenal. No small part of the direction is getting three casts of actors, different ages, many inexperienced, to fit together seamlessly. From an editing and writing stand point, the use of time, cutting straight between scenes years apart, is seamless in the storytelling. The technique is used brilliantly and transparently. Other movies are notable for making it the point to use odd time sequencing, but here the "shenanigans" are subtle, organic, and perfectly fit into a larger whole.)

Christopher Drews · February 9th, 2009, 02:31 AM

Actually, Danny told us that 80% of Slumdog was shot on the SI-2K. He was open about his camera choice and, without giving away too much, acknowledged that many shots would have been quite impossible without this "SLR looking camera" and an efficient "German Documentary Crew" who rolled some crucial scenes.
-C

Joseph Kassana · February 9th, 2009, 03:48 AM

I have to admit out of the digital cinema cameras footage I have seen so far SI2k is by far the most organic looking 35mm look I have seen so far. Well Slumdog and Che are stunning.

Even the curious case of BB looked video in parts.

Ari Presler · February 9th, 2009, 08:14 AM

Whether it was the advantage of being on home turf, the buzz that has built around it, or the British film’s natural charm, Slumdog Millionaire won a decisive victory last night at the Baftas in London. The film earned seven awards - best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, best editing, best score, best sound, and best cinematography for Anthony Dod Mantle (see photo).

Slumdog Millionaire now has a clean sweep of every major precursor to the Oscars: WGA, DGA, PGA, SAG Ensemble, Golden Globe, Critic’s Choice, and BAFTA. The only other film to have won all of these honors is 1999’s “American Beauty.”

Joseph Kassana · February 10th, 2009, 09:04 AM

You must be a proud man Ari.

Brian Drysdale · February 10th, 2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph Kassana

You must be a proud man Ari.

I only got to see the film today. Impressive energy through the slums; that relatively low profile rig would be great for working amongst the crowds without attracting too much attention. Locations like that can be a nightmare.

The gyro rig looks rather neat and handy for this type of shooting.

BTW A gyro rig was used on "Das Boot", to it's an interesting revisit to that technique.

Important also to remember that the film has a high quality script and high quality acting. People on forums obsess about DOF etc for their indie film, when they'd be better spending a year working hard on their script.

Ari Presler · February 10th, 2009, 12:04 PM

Absolutely!

Slumdog Millionaire was the first Hollywood (or is that Bollywood) style production to leverage all of the core technologies and unique benefits of shooting with the SI-2K camera.

I am very proud to see the results on the big screen and to know that others around the globe can share in the experience. The success of an SI shot feature is also a very important point of pride for our SI-2k customers, technology partners and user base who have been backing our camera hardware, software and the post workflows, especially the ones with CineForm and Iridas.

Thank you for all the support here on the DVInfo boards and look froward to seeing your posts for the Digital Oscars!

Joseph Kassana · February 11th, 2009, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Drysdale

I only got to see the film today. Impressive energy through the slums; that relatively low profile rig would be great for working amongst the crowds without attracting too much attention. Locations like that can be a nightmare.

The gyro rig looks rather neat and handy for this type of shooting.

BTW A gyro rig was used on "Das Boot", to it's an interesting revisit to that technique.

Important also to remember that the film has a high quality script and high quality acting. People on forums obsess about DOF etc for their indie film, when they'd be better spending a year working hard on their script.

Damn straight....words are everything.

February 9th, 2009, 08:14 AM	#19
Ari Presler Silicon Imaging Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York or Hollywood Posts: 214	Slumdog Millionaire sweeps Baftas with seven awards Whether it was the advantage of being on home turf, the buzz that has built around it, or the British film’s natural charm, Slumdog Millionaire won a decisive victory last night at the Baftas in London. The film earned seven awards - best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, best editing, best score, best sound, and best cinematography for Anthony Dod Mantle (see photo). Slumdog Millionaire now has a clean sweep of every major precursor to the Oscars: WGA, DGA, PGA, SAG Ensemble, Golden Globe, Critic’s Choice, and BAFTA. The only other film to have won all of these honors is 1999’s “American Beauty.” Attached Thumbnails

February 10th, 2009, 12:04 PM	#22
Ari Presler Silicon Imaging Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New York or Hollywood Posts: 214	Slumdog....Pride Absolutely! Slumdog Millionaire was the first Hollywood (or is that Bollywood) style production to leverage all of the core technologies and unique benefits of shooting with the SI-2K camera. I am very proud to see the results on the big screen and to know that others around the globe can share in the experience. The success of an SI shot feature is also a very important point of pride for our SI-2k customers, technology partners and user base who have been backing our camera hardware, software and the post workflows, especially the ones with CineForm and Iridas. Thank you for all the support here on the DVInfo boards and look froward to seeing your posts for the Digital Oscars!

February 9th, 2009, 02:05 AM	#16
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Slumdog won Bafta's best picture, director, adapted screenplay, music, cinematography, editing, and sound. The significance of the cinematography award is much more than the digital camera. It is how this camera made a revolutionary shooting style possible (with equipment adaptations developed throughout the shoot). The results are seamless and spectacular. Not to mention, film and DLSR footage was also part of the picture. One is literally "inside the frame" in this movie. There is never the "feel" of a steadicam or a crane or a dolly, just the feel of being hurtled forward through the story. As well, the camera gave beautiful pictures, the most organic and seamless digital camera footage I have seen, and I have seen virtually all the movies the past 5 years shot on digital. (On many levels "Slumdog Millionaire" is phenomenal. No small part of the direction is getting three casts of actors, different ages, many inexperienced, to fit together seamlessly. From an editing and writing stand point, the use of time, cutting straight between scenes years apart, is seamless in the storytelling. The technique is used brilliantly and transparently. Other movies are notable for making it the point to use odd time sequencing, but here the "shenanigans" are subtle, organic, and perfectly fit into a larger whole.)

February 9th, 2009, 02:31 AM	#17
Christopher Drews Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 628	Actually, Danny told us that 80% of Slumdog was shot on the SI-2K. He was open about his camera choice and, without giving away too much, acknowledged that many shots would have been quite impossible without this "SLR looking camera" and an efficient "German Documentary Crew" who rolled some crucial scenes. -C

February 9th, 2009, 03:48 AM	#18
Joseph Kassana Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London Posts: 92	I have to admit out of the digital cinema cameras footage I have seen so far SI2k is by far the most organic looking 35mm look I have seen so far. Well Slumdog and Che are stunning. Even the curious case of BB looked video in parts.

February 10th, 2009, 09:04 AM	#20
Joseph Kassana Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London Posts: 92	You must be a proud man Ari.