Panavision Genesis filmar SUPERMAN RETURNS

Just nu spelas SUPERMAN RETURNS in, bl.a.i studio i Sydney, och kamerorna som används är Panavisions Genesis. Med en budget på över 150 milj. dollars var det inte av ekonomiska skäl de valde bort film för att istället spela in digitalt.

Här kan du se en kort bakomfilm med filmfotografen Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC, och höra vad han tycker om Genesis.
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Superman Returns

Här kan de se på flera bilder med Genesis-kameran.
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Panavisionís Genesis Flies with Superman Returns

Director Bryan Singer and DOP Newton Thomas Sigel Debut Genesis Cameras on Warner Bros. Pictures Feature

In its first major role, Panavisionís groundbreaking Genesis HD digital cinematography camera has been selected to photograph Warner Bros. Picturesí highly anticipated feature Superman Returns, directed by Bryan Singer and lensed by Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC. The film stars Brandon Routh in the title role and is currently being shot in Sydney, Australia.

The Genesis camera, which offers unparalleled clarity and flexibility in a cable-free video format, was developed over a three-year period as a collaborative effort between Panavision and Sony. Panavision, the worldwide market leader in the design, manufacture and rental of camera systems for production of motion pictures, television series and television commercials, introduced the Genesis at Cinegear 2004 as a prototype. Nine months later, Superman Returns has eight Genesis cameras on set for the main unit, second unit and the visual effects unit. Three more are currently in use on a sequence being photographed in the Los Angeles area.

“We are very confident that the use of Genesis on Superman Returns represents a defining moment in moviemaking,” said Bob Beitcher, president and CEO, Panavision. “Our goal at Panavision is to provide the best possible equipment to support the creative vision, and we believe Genesis cameras offer breathtaking images with an ease of use similar to our best film cameras. We salute Bryan Singer, Tom Sigel and Warner Bros. Pictures for joining us in taking the industry forward in such a bold fashion.”

Sigel, a veteran cinematographer who has paired with Singer on several projects including X-Men, X2, Apt Pupil and The Usual Suspects, describes the images as “Great. The color and tonality of the pictures Iím getting seem very much like film, and yet to see it so sharp and grainless is wonderful. In some weird way, itís like shooting 65mm.”

Sigelís crew found that the ergonomics of the Genesis camera closely resemble a Panavision film camera. “Since it uses regular Panavision cine lenses, there is a big comfort factor in knowing that, at least up front, it is similar to the way we have worked before, and the size and weight of the camera is similar to the Millennium,” noted Sigel. “The shutter options are great, better than any film camera. Really, what film camera can you shoot with a 360 degree shutter?”

The Genesis camera works with a dockable Sony SRW-1 VTR, which allows for freedom from cables. “Being able to treat the recorder like you would a film magazine is infinitely superior to some of the other tethered systems,” said Sigel. Sigel added that one of the most attractive features is being able to view shots on a large HD monitor. “I canít say that what you see is what you get, but there is not a film video tap in the world that compares to the clarity of a direct HD feed.”

“Itís a whole new thing, a new technology,” he added. “To explore what we can get out of it weíre going to make some mistakes along the way, but weíre also going to discover some things.” As for Singerís reaction, “He seems very positive,” Sigel said. “If I give him a good-looking film, heíll be happy.”

Genesis is currently available for rental for features, television and commercials.

Superman Returns stars Brandon Routh in the dual roles of Clark Kent and The Man of Steel; Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane; James Marsden as Richard White; Frank Langella as Perry White; Eva Marie Saint as Martha Kent; Parker Posey as Kitty Koslowski; Kal Penn as Stanford; Sam Huntington as Jimmy Olsen; and Kevin Spacey as Supermanís archenemy, Lex Luthor. The film is based upon Superman characters created by JERRY SIEGEL & JOE SHUSTER and published by DC Comics.

Superman Returns is directed by Bryan Singer (X2: X-Men United, X-Men, The Usual Suspects) and produced by Jon Peters, Bryan Singer and Gilbert Adler from a screenplay by Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris, and story by Bryan Singer and Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris. The executive producer is Chris Lee, and the co-producer is Stephen Jones. Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute Superman Returns worldwide in Summer 2006.