In an exciting preview of his upcoming film Sinners, acclaimed director Ryan Coogler delves into the intricate world of film stock and aspect ratios, providing insights that would typically cost a fortune in film school. This comprehensive breakdown not only highlights the technical aspects of filmmaking but also emphasizes the artistic choices that can greatly influence the storytelling process.
Being mentioned alongside legendary filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Christopher Nolan is a remarkable achievement for any director. Ryan Coogler, known for his innovative storytelling, is using this opportunity to advocate for the revival of traditional film techniques. His upcoming project, Sinners, showcases the stunning capabilities of both the IMAX MSM 9802 and UDM LensesPanavision Panaflex System 65 Studio. Coogler is set to provide an enlightening masterclass on film stock and aspect ratios that promises to be incredibly informative, packing a wealth of knowledge into just ten minutes. This is a unique chance to learn about critical filmmaking concepts, including the frequently mentioned term “perforations,” which plays a significant role in the film’s visual storytelling.
Teaming up with Kodak, Ryan Coogler has crafted a detailed tutorial that explores the various film stocks available in the industry and their specific applications concerning different aspect ratios. Through a visual demonstration, he contrasts the unique characteristics of formats like Super 8 and 65/70 mm film, emphasizing how these choices impact the visual narrative. Coogler elaborates on the essential role that aspect ratios play, not just in framing the visuals but also in enhancing the emotional depth and storytelling of the film itself.
In a captivating segment of his video, Ryan Coogler showcases a clip from Sinners that utilizes the 2.76:1 aspect ratio, a format historically used in epic films like Ben-Hur and The Hateful Eight. He highlights that Sinners will also be presented in IMAX’s 1.43:1 aspect ratio, making it the first film ever to be shot in both formats. This unique capability allows audiences to experience the film in varying dimensions, significantly affecting the viewing experience and enhancing the narrative in ways that are difficult to articulate without visual aids.
However, it’s important to note that the availability of Sinners may be limited due to the specialized equipment required to showcase it. For instance, the IMAX film with 15 perforations on 70mm is set to screen in only ten theaters globally. Nonetheless, Ryan Coogler assures fans that Sinners will be released in multiple formats, including 4DX, ICE (Immersive Cinema Experience), Screen X (offering an expansive 270-degree view), and Dolby Cinema featuring HDR. These diverse formats promise to provide an immersive and visually stunning cinematic experience, which early reactions suggest will be well worth the wait.
For those eager to learn more about the fascinating world of film stocks and aspect ratios, Ryan Coogler’s insightful tutorial is available for viewing in the embedded video below:
