It’s hard time for hardcore film fans. Celluloid definitely looks better than Hi-Def, most cinema fans agree on this, but it won’t be long before they stop making film altogether, and it’s going to be a sad day when that happens.
Thankfully, that day’s not completely here yet, and writer / director Chris Nolan has sworn his allegiance to film with the next Batman flick, which is now just a few months away.
As you’ll surely recall, the camerawork in The Dark Knight was amazing, especially the scenes in the beginning shot in IMAX. There’s sure to be plenty of cinematic razzle dazzle in the Dark Knight Rises as well, and it’s going to be on glorious film while we still have it.
As Movieline headlined its report, “Christopher Nolan Really, Really, Really Not Giving Up Shooting on Film,” no matter what.
As DGA magazine pointed out, Nolan and Steven Spielberg “are among the last holdouts who shoot on film in an industry that’s moved to digital,” and Nolan said, “For the last 10 years, I’ve felt increasing pressure to stop shooting film and start shooting video, but I’ve never understood why. It’s cheaper to work on film, it’s far better looking, it’s the technology that’s been known and understood for a hundred years, and it’s extremely reliable.”
Indeed, as we’ve previously reported on TG, Gary Ross insisted on shooting the Hunger Games on film because it was a more reliable medium to work with, especially with iffy weather conditions.
Nolan knows this is a big hot button issue in the industry, and he added, “I think, truthfully, it boils down to the economic interest of manufacturers and [a production] industry that makes more money through change rather than through maintaining the status quo.”
He also knows the choice of working between film and digital “is in real danger of disappearing. So right before Christmas I brought some filmmakers together and showed them the prologue for The Dark Knight Rises that we shot on IMAX film. I wanted to give them a chance to see the potential, because I think IMAX is the best film format that’s ever been invented.”
Nolan also feels it’s important to stand up for film if you have clout in the business, and insist that your movie be made on film if you have the power to get what you want. Thankfully Nolan’s got the power of the Dark Knight behind him right now, and no one’s going to be turning down what’s best for Batman in a million years.
