Combining Film Emulation With Modern Cinema Cameras

https://ymcinema.com/2022/02/02/sundance-2022-cinematography-combining-film-emulation-with-modern-cinema-camera/

 

Sundance 2022 Cinematography: Combining Film Emulation With Modern Cinema Cameras

Sundance Official Selection – Palm Trees and Power Lines, was directed by Jamie Dack and shot by cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj on the Panavision DXL-M. However, in order to emphasize the authenticity of the Californian visual world, colorist Katie Jordan utilized Kodachrome film emulation to add additional accurate grain. Read more about this special project, and our final thought at the end.

Based on the director’s short film

The feature Palm Trees and Power Lines is a feature version of the short with the same name, also directed by Jamie Dack. The film, which was playing in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of a disconnected teenage girl that enters a relationship with a man twice her age. As she sees him as the solution to all her problems, it appears his intentions are not what they seem. Although the trailer is not available since the film is on Festival circulation, you can watch the short (older) version below: 

https://vimeo.com/339029109?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=22772482

Shot by cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj

The film was shot by cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj on the Panavision XDL-M camera. Just a reminder, the Panavision DXL-M (=Modular) was introduced in 2018 as a hybridization of the Millennium with the Red DSMC2 body. “I’m so happy to be a part of Sundance in 2022. My very first feature film as a DP – Kirsten Tan’s Pop Aye – premiered at Sundance in 2017, so I’m very grateful to return to this festival that has supported both me and a stunning community of filmmakers” said Chotrungroj. 

The project was supported by the Panavision New Filmmaker Program and LightIron. To read more about the program make sure to read our article: Panavision’s ‘New Filmmaker Program’ Now Includes Post-Production Grants. “So honored and grateful for Panavision’s support throughout the years – it’s truly unbelievable how much Panavision has helped me grow as a cinematographer, collaborating with them is like another film school” added Chotrungroj.

Crafting the ‘Californian suburbs look’

”The film has a contemporary setting in the suburbs. Jamie Dack wanted a classic look reminiscent of 80’s and 90’s films. We used a subtle film emulation look and added grain to give that timeless feeling. The suburbs are simultaneously depressingly mundane and uniquely beautiful. That carries through into the color grading” stated colorist Katie Jordan. 

Chotrungroj added: “We wanted the film to feel photographic, composed, but also naturalistic and grounded in reality. We shot thoughtfully composed frames while still maintaining a naturalistic feeling in the world and intimacy of our characters”.

Mimicking the Kodachrome’s grain

Due to the love of the ‘film look’, the team has decided to go for film emulation. “With Katie, we went for a Kodachrome film emulation and added additional grain. This particular choice really made the colors pop and enhanced the tone and timeless feel, of the film’s world” Chotrungroj explained.  Kodachrome is the brand name for a color reversal film introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1935. It was one of the first successful color materials and was used for both cinematography and still photography.

Now, with the help of colorists, the grainy imagery of the Kodachrome can be smartly added to the footage. For instance, check out this short demonstration about adding the Kodak Kodachrome 64 Film Emulation in Lightroom: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aQ9qRJEN3o

Final thoughts

Honestly, we have some mixed filling in this one. There’s no doubt that this project is amazing and was professional and beautifully crafted, and thus very much deserves to be selected by Sundance. On the other hand, Sundance is recognized (or at least was), as an independent festival. Not all independent filmmakers have vast resources to the Panavision ecosystem like on Palm Trees and Power Lines. Once upon a time, you didn’t need an ALEXA or other high-end cinema camera to be accepted into Sundance (Read our article: The Cameras Behind Sundance Film Festival 2022). In the past, many Sundance selections were shot on DSLRs. However, it seems that these days are over, unfortunately. What do you think about this thought?