Film vs. Digital Documentary: SIDE BY SIDE

[rashad]

First Trailer for Film vs. Digital Doc SIDE BY SIDE Featuring Interviews with Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, and More
by Adam Chitwood [SIZE=-2]Posted:January 18th, 2012 at 5:12 pm[/SIZE]

A little over a week ago, a curious little documentary was announced called Side by Side. The project, spearheaded by Keanu Reeves, features interviews with a number of master filmmakers regarding the film vs. digital debate. Now the first trailer for the film has popped up and Side by Side is officially one of my most anticipated movies of 2012. The trailer showcases Reeves having candid conversations about the death of film (and the advent of 3D) with people like George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and Steven Soderbergh. It looks incredibly intriguing, and I can’t wait to hear today’s foremost filmmakers weigh in on the future of moviemaking.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. Side by Side will be released sometime this year.

http://collider.com/side-by-side-trailer/138886/

Trailer
http://vimeo.com/35206631

 

[SoNicRaDiATioN]

I love film, but digital is definitely the future for so many reasons. As I said in the ASM trailer thread, there are digital cameras now that can rival IMAX in resolution and only weigh around 5lbs.

 

[marcvader]

Looking forward to this. Will catch it on Netflix.

 

[dark_b]

call me crazy but i would watch a 1 hour video where Cameron/Fincher talk to Nolan/Tarantino. BOOM

 

[mclay18]

Hmm... I don't think Nolan and Wally have actually studied the newer digital cameras thoroughly. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Hugo look like they were shot on film, they look THAT good.

Film definitely has that signature look and pleasing grain structure, though.

 

[craigdbfan]

lawl. So only Nolan and Wally saying how much they prefer film over digital versus pretty much everybody else in Hollywood.

I love film and I think it ultimately does capture a feeling that digital often time doesn't. With that said there are some skilled directors like Fincher for example that use filters after the fact to make the movie seem as it was and quite frankly it's barely noticeable if at all.

This will be a great documentary I think but it was just kind of funny seeing Wally and Chris in a David vs Goliath situation.

 

[KRIM]

Nolan and Wally have a point in that digital still hasn't reached the level of quality that 70mm or IMAX provide. However considering that those formats aren't widely used, or even prominent in their own films, it's strange that they're so vehemently against the digital alternatives that are arguably equal to their film counterparts.

 

[obin_gam]

lawl. So only Nolan and Wally saying how much they prefer film over digital versus pretty much everybody else in Hollywood.

I love film and I think it ultimately does capture a feeling that digital often time doesn't. With that said there are some skilled directors like Fincher for example that use filters after the fact to make the movie seem as it was and quite frankly it's barely noticeable if at all.

This will be a great documentary I think but it was just kind of funny seeing Wally and Chris in a David vs Goliath situation.

And who won in that particular fight?

Anywhoo, I love watching films filmed with film, but the problem with that format is that one self cant work with it because of the price it costs to use it. Digital is awesome in that regard!

 

[dark_b]

yes Wally 3D is only used for money and marketing. IMAX is used for ''art''. correct?

the problem IMO with Wally is that he has bad arguments. Tarantino and Nolan have better arguments and know how to talks in an interview to explain their opinion. Wally sounds and talks like an angry comicbook fanboy .

 

[craigdbfan]

Yeah I mean digital has opened it up to those who can't afford or operate film yet can still reproduce the effect to a satisfying end.

Digital isn't all bad seeing as the look of film can be reproduced and it's getting less discernible by the day to really tell the difference when a good director is in charge..

 

[SoNicRaDiATioN]

Hmm... I don't think Nolan and Wally have actually studied the newer digital cameras thoroughly. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Hugo look like they were shot on film, they look THAT good.

Film definitely has that signature look and pleasing grain structure, though.

Agreed. My problem with digital in the past was the skin tones. Colors in general really. It had that washed out quality and could make people look ghoulish despite the amazing sharpness of the image. It lacked the warmth of film. But digital has come a long way in that department. The Hobbit and TASM trailers show this. Great skin tones to go along with the crispness of image. Both shot on the EPIC.

lawl. So only Nolan and Wally saying how much they prefer film over digital versus pretty much everybody else in Hollywood.

I love film and I think it ultimately does capture a feeling that digital often time doesn't. With that said there are some skilled directors like Fincher for example that use filters after the fact to make the movie seem as it was and quite frankly it's barely noticeable if at all.

This will be a great documentary I think but it was just kind of funny seeing Wally and Chris in a David vs Goliath situation.

Disagree with Wally when he said the Social Network should have been shot on film. Especially considering the circumstances. Fincher only had so many hours available on the Harvard campus. The size of the digital camera alone made it much more practical to maneuver around campus with expedience. That film looked great IMO. And isn't Wally a spokesperson for Kodak?

 

[Motown Marvel]

i hate the girl who essentially says "i never thought i could do film, because that requires knowledge of how to operate a camera. but with digital, i dont need to know those things!"

either way, i'd really like to see this movie. but im assuming its not gonna be getting a wide release.

 

[dark_b]

i hate the girl who essentially says "i never thought i could do film, because that requires knowledge of how to operate a camera. but with digital, i dont need to know those things!"

it was the worst promotion for digital when she said that. i can not belive its in the trailer.

 

[mclay18]

i hate the girl who essentially says "i never thought i could do film, because that requires knowledge of how to operate a camera. but with digital, i dont need to know those things!"

She should've articulate it better. Pointing out things like having to buy film stock, load the cartridges and load the cartridges into the camera would make it more succinct. Or she could've said something along the lines of "Well, with digital, what I see on the monitor is how it's going to look now. I don't have to worry about how the dailies will look after processing."

But digital has come a long way in that department. The Hobbit and TASM trailers show this. Great skin tones to go along with the crispness of image. Both shot on the EPIC.

Absolutely. I have a feeling that if Nolan and Pfister shot TDKR on the Red Epic, the shots would've looked similar to the 35mm stock they used. Plus, it would equal faster camera set-ups.

 

[marcvader]

I got from the woman that it is just physically simpler with digital as well as mechanically.

 

[mclay18]

the problem IMO with Wally is that he has bad arguments.

Yes. Pfister doesn't get that not all the movies out there can afford to shoot in 35mm like he prefers, or that not all digitally-shot studio films are in 3D. I'd wish he and Nolan would actually go and test the newer digital cameras like the Arri Alexa, Red Epic, and the Canon EOS. They ought to test those against 35mm and see how they fare.

The Alexa and Red Epic are very impressive cameras. If I was a director and had to choose, I'd definitely go digital for the flexibility and faster camera set-ups.

 

[SoNicRaDiATioN]

Even Roger Deakins has come on board the digital train after doing camera tests (with the Alexa I believe) and he was a skeptic for the longest time. He still perfers film, but can no longer deny the capabilites and potential that the technology has to offer.

I really don't understand the bug that Wally has up his butt in terms of Digital. The revolution is just getting started.

 

[jmc]

Definitely want to check this out.

 

[Travod]

If the interviews were shot half in digital and half in film that would rock. Like split the screen to show both. DUDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Also, digital for lifeeeeeeeeeee, except for movies like Black Swan that really gain something from the grain.

 

[mclay18]

Also, digital for lifeeeeeeeeeee, except for movies like Black Swan that really gain something from the grain.

Black Swan was also shot on my favorite film stock, Fujifilm. Whenever I shoot 35mm pictures, I always use that brand. Gorgeous color and grain structure... especially 16mm, which BS used.

Speaking of which, I don't know why Kodak and Fuji never branched out into the digital movie camera business.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Look, film still looks great, but digital is the future. And digital can only get better. Nolan and Pfister love film too much and need to see that it's going to become obsolete someday. If they hold onto it for too long, it will look sad. Film will always be there. But it's time to move forward. If Roger Deakins can accept it, they can. I'm not big on traditionalists, because people like Nolan and Pfister should be thinking forward and not looking and staying back. We're not being forced into it. Filmmakers are just seeing its capabilities. Nolan and Pfister aren't certainly forced into it. They can do whatever they want. But not everyone agrees and not everyone can keep it.

And wait, Hugo was shot on digital? Wow, I didn't even notice.

 

[mclay18]

And wait, Hugo was shot on digital? Wow, I didn't even notice.

Well, Scorsese was intent on making it in 3D, so he had to go digital for that. It also helped that he and Robert Richardson went and "schooled" themselves on how to use and shoot it. It looks stunning in digital 3D.

And I wish Tarantino would "look" forward instead of intending to go old-school every time he shoots a damn movie.

Agreed. My problem with digital in the past was the skin tones. Colors in general really. It had that washed out quality and could make people look ghoulish despite the amazing sharpness of the image. It lacked the warmth of film.

That reminds me of the Robin Hood TV series they aired on BBC America. I definitely enjoyed the first season, but a huge drawback was the obviously digital photography (due to the limited budget). It was shot before the Red One came out, and during the brightly-lit daytime scenes or well-lit interiors the show looked good. But there was definite video noise in the darker scenes and skintones looked pasty at times.

Some DPs should never EVER touch a digital film camera unless the camera is high quality, particularly Dante Spinotti's preference for Sony CineAlta (which gives mixed results IMO). Public Enemies looked like a feature-length YT video and while Dawn Treader looked markedly better, some of the scenes look like a made-for-TV sequel.

And don't get me started on Dean Semler. The man should be barred from using Panavision Genesis cameras after Date Night -- the darkly-lit scenes with Tina Fey and Steve Carell look like a handheld videotape (even some of the brightly-lit neon scenes looked digital at times). Not the best movie or camera to show off the wonders of digital filmmaking.

 

[Project862006]

Look, film still looks great, but digital is the future. And digital can only get better. Nolan and Pfister love film too much and need to see that it's going to become obsolete someday. If they hold onto it for too long, it will look sad. Film will always be there. But it's time to move forward. If Roger Deakins can accept it, they can. I'm not big on traditionalists, because people like Nolan and Pfister should be thinking forward and not looking and staying back. We're not being forced into it. Filmmakers are just seeing its capabilities. Nolan and Pfister aren't certainly forced into it. They can do whatever they want. But not everyone agrees and not everyone can keep it.

And wait, Hugo was shot on digital? Wow, I didn't even notice.

"If you Don't Adapt.....You'll Be Left Behind"

 

[dark_b]

And wait, Hugo was shot on digital? Wow, I didn't even notice.

you thought Hugo was post converted 3D?

 

[dark_b]

i only now realized that Lana Wachowski(Larry Wachowski from Matrix) is in this pic. so both Larry and Andy Watchowksi will be in the doc.