Film is a great way to separate your content from the rest of the crowed. With more and more of the video content we consume going digital, it has never been a better time to utilise formats like film. Big brands such as Nike, Adidas and Reebok are all using the film format to add some extra creative flare to their marketing campaigns. The result is a combination of refined digital visuals combined with the character of grainy film. Occasionally, you will see videos shot entirely on 16mm or Super 8 but we actually think that the refined look of digital can greatly compliment the grainy imperfections of film and we are seeing a greater push in that direction.
Motion picture film was once the only option filmmakers had to tell their stories and so film wasn’t as appreciated as it is today. With digital there came a lot of convenience such as play back and portability. However, with that came a lot of compromise, especially on quality. When digital was first used on films like George Lucas’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) (20th Century Studios) they were still in the early development stages of the technology and so no one took the format seriously for quite some time. In fact it wasn’t until around 2013 when film became the exception.
Comparative Analysis: Film vs. Digital
Where digital is now, it is virtually indistinguishable from films shot on 35mm. However, smaller formats like 16mm and Super 8 retain their character. There are an abundance of film templates and grades out there but none of them come even close to the magical aesthetic of these film formats. The reason is because the smaller format size results in more noticeable grain, therefore, making the image less clean than 35mm film stocks for example. Movies like Darren Aranofsky’s ‘Black Swan’ (2010) (Searchlight Pictures) and Jonah Hill’s ‘Mid 90’s’ (2018) (A24) were both shot on glorious 16mm.
As a team we have a great appreciation for film, having all shot on it in the past, we understand the limitations that come with shooting on this medium and know how to use it to our advantage. If you’re interested in having film as part of your next project than please enquire over email or by phone and we will be happy to advise you on what package would be best for you.