framing for different aspect ratios with monitor

[sanghamithran]

Hi master Deakins,

here in one of the behind the scenes in no country, the monitor shows more of a square image with guideline for 2.35 aspect ratio for the final film.

Is it not distracting to see the full frame for you when framing for wide screen aspect ratios or is it how you prefer doing, was it not better to black out the top and bottom of the frame if the final is 2.35.

Thank you .

 

Topic

[sanghamithran]

Also how did you operate the composition in 1917 which was shot for wide aspect ratio with a 16:9 sensor, did you black out the top and bottom frame or similar to the above image only, asking espicially since 1917 was a more dynamic camera movement film than say no country.

[dmullenasc]

Some monitors will allow you to darken the area outside the frame lines without resorting to blacking it out. There are reasons why a DP/Operator would want to see outside the theatrical frame lines, like to protect a larger area for either TV or VFX/post work or a taller IMAX version… or to simply see things about to enter the frame before they do.

[sanghamithran]

hi master david,

understood the reason to protect for multiple platforms, but isn’t it actually a compromise to frame this way? or does anyone prefer shooting like this, like you pointed out in the style of a rangefinder camera.

Thanks

[James Parsons]

Operators often want a “surround” view on their eyepiece or monitor to see what’s just out of frame to know what to avoid (or what to include) before it encroaches on the shot. Same can be helpful for focus pullers and DPs, or really anyone on set watching a monitor. Sure, it could be distracting at first, but it’s easy to get used to. Most monitors allow you to grey out or otherwise diminish the image outside the frame lines, but its rarely useful to fully black it out.

[sanghamithran]

ah yes, got it James, I had shot a couple of works with blacked out for 2.35 and it had worked for me, would be interesting to see not doing that and trying out this approach to see how it is affecting my framing,

Thanks.

[Author]

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