a different use of Ekatachrome

[cmacd123]

this one showed up on my cell phone News feed. https://www.popphoto.com/news/hbo-euphoria-shot-on-kodak-ektachrome/

seems that one of the cable TV/ streaming TV shows "
Euphoria"
used 35mm Ektachrome 100D 5294 35mm as the Camera Original in shooting their second season. I assume that the typical electronic production methods were used in editing and presentation. the first season was apparently shot on Vision 3 500T in both 16mm and 35mm.

the ektachrome 100D is the same emulsion as is used for Ektachome Still film these days.

 

[AgX]

To avoid confusion: this is about a TV series, thus a kind of movie. A "TV show" at least for me is something completely different.

 

[brbo]

100D was always used as cine film and with the reintroduction of Ektachrome the use of new Ektachrome as cine film was heavily emphasised (as to the point that "our" still film was made possible because of expected large enough use in show business and also through the new Kodak Super 8 camera that was announced at the same time).

So, maybe not so "different use of Ektachrome". More like "original".

 

[Helge]

100D was always used as cine film and with the reintroduction of Ektachrome the use of new Ektachrome as cine film was heavily emphasised (as to the point that "our" still film was made possible because of expected large enough use in show business and also through the new Kodak Super 8 camera that was announced at the same time).

So, maybe not so "different use of Ektachrome". More like "original".

Didn’t know that. That is fantastic “news”.
I’d love to hear the show runners thoughts on using film. And especially reversal film.
Why would you use chrome vs. print film? Better sharpness? Less post work?

Edit: Did the unthinkable and actually followed the link.
So “skintones” and the usual wishy washy play about “feel and nostalgia”.
I bet there is a lot more at play here, and more thoughts gone into the decision, than that.
For example they didn’t “have Kodak recreate Ektachrome”. Plain bullshit.
I’d like to hear their real thoughts.

Kodak better come up with a better boilerplate spiel to press play on than the usual quaint whimsy angle.
Ektachrome is a much too good a sensor to have to play it like that.

 

[MultiFormat Shooter]

Kodak better come up with a better boilerplate spiel to press play on than the usual quaint whimsy angle. Ektachrome is a much too good a sensor to have to play it like that.

I agree 100%; the more I use Ektachrome, the more it amazes me...still and movie. Ektachrome deserves its proper due.

 

[Helge]

I agree 100%; the more I use Ektachrome, the more it amazes me...still and movie. Ektachrome deserves its proper due.

It's the only film to give Provia a good run for the title of best chrome ever.
As said all colours of human skin is slightly better on Ektachrome and skies is also ever so slightly better. Provia has more real speed and latitude though, is a tad warmer and sharpest by a hair. Exceptional reciprocity too.

 

[markjwyatt]

It's the only film to give Provia a good run for the title of best chrome ever.
....

Hold on their, buddy. Are you not paying proper tribute to Kodachrome?

ADMIN- is this permitted of members? Should we be holding a trial here? [/sarc]

 

[warden]

I agree 100%; the more I use Ektachrome, the more it amazes me...still and movie. Ektachrome deserves its proper due.

It is a great film, but Kodak can't control what directors say about it. For their part I think Kodak has been pretty consistent with their messaging about "clean, vibrant colors, a neutral tone scale, and extremely fine grain. Its distinctive look is well suited to a wide range of applications, such as product, landscape, nature and fashion photography." But of course you can use the film for a tailored aesthetic too, as seen on this show. I don't know if they market it differently for cine.

I wonder how the cost compares between season 1 and season 2 after the switch to film?

 

[MattKing]

FWIW, my sources indicate that it was Kodak Alaris (the still film Kodak distributors) who were the main motivators behind the re-introduction of Ektachrome. The motion picture people at Eastman Kodak joined in later.

 

[lantau]

To avoid confusion: this is about a TV series, thus a kind of movie. A "TV show" at least for me is something completely different.

I think I know what you mean. TV series and show can mean the same thing in the English speaking world. I think that in German the term 'Show' has been used primarily for one, other, meaning of show. The recorded or live broadcast program in a studio, often with spectators. Like the Late Night Shows, Lets Dance, game shows and the like.

A TV series even has a position called a 'Show Runner'.

I expect that the makers wanted to get even more of a 'film look', or a special look in general, by using reversal film. After all print film should, in theory, give a higher technical quality. So Ektachrome might deliver better base material for what they need in a program about emotions, drug use, societal issues and psychological mayhem in the characters.

 

[AgX]

I think I know what you mean. TV series and show can mean the same thing in the English speaking world. I think that in German the term 'Show' has been used primarily for one, other, meaning of show. The recorded or live broadcast program in a studio, often with spectators. Like the Late Night Shows, Lets Dance, game shows and the like.

Not only in German...and thus my remark. And this other meaning is completely new to me. Thank you for explaining.

 

[Chan Tran]

Hold on their, buddy. Are you not paying proper tribute to Kodachrome?

ADMIN- is this permitted of members? Should we be holding a trial here? [/sarc]

Back in the 70's the ektachrome was so bad so I used only Kodachrome. When Kodak discontinued Kodachrome I tried Ektachrome and I like it better than Kodachrome.

 

[cmacd123]

100D was always used as cine film.

except for Home Movies, Cinema production has generally always used a negative film. (even Technicolor used multiple Negative film.) the introduction of the first version of 100D was mostly used in Movies for special applications like Music Videos and also film schools and similar users. to shoot an entire season of a pay TV program on Ektachrome is quite unusual.

 

[AgX]

In the 70's, before colour video got portable, a special Kodak colour reversal film (VNF) was used for TV-news reporting in parts of the world.

 

[MattKing]

to shoot an entire season of a pay TV program on Ektachrome is quite unusual.

I wonder whether any of this relates to the relative unavailability of fast local ECN development.

 

[cmacd123]

I wonder whether any of this relates to the relative unavailability of fast local ECN development.

their are many labs that run ECN2 every day - these folks http://colorlab.com/film/film_processing.html just upgraded their ECN2 Processor. (admittedly with a used one) And do whatever workflow you want.

 

[MattKing]

their are many labs that run ECN2 every day - these folks http://colorlab.com/film/film_processing.html just upgraded their ECN2 Processor. (admittedly with a used one) And do whatever workflow you want.

I had been wondering if the decision might be due to choosing a filming location where ECN "rushes" were not easily obtained.
But as it seems the series is filmed in LA, that certainly wouldn't be the case.

 

[cmacd123]

I had been wondering if the decision might be due to choosing a filming location where ECN "rushes" were not easily obtained.
But as it seems the series is filmed in LA, that certainly wouldn't be the case.

and I don't believe that many productions still do workprint/rushes these days. Most doing a scan and wanting the Dailys on Video. their is not a workflow to make a workprint from Ektachrome, and they would not let the camera original out of the lab until it was time to do a final scan.

 

[mshchem]

https://ascmag.com/videos/clubhouse-conversations-euphoria-hacks

This is a one hour interview including the cinematographer who filmed the 2 special episodes of Euphoria. The text says the Vision 500T was used processed by Fotokem, ?

I couldn't sit through the interview. Seems to boggle my mind that a location shot would be shot using a reversal process???

Could it be that Ektachrome 100D was used and processed as a negative???

For some reason I have in my head that NASA used Ektachrome and processed as a negative?

Not sure. Anyway it's great press for analog!!

 

[markjwyatt]

Starting at 53 min. they say they used 16/35mm, prefer 35mm. Used 500T for the scene they were showing, but said for season 2 they used Ektachrome.

 

[mshchem]

Starting at 53 min. they say they used 16/35mm, prefer 35mm. Used 500T for the scene they were showing, but said for season 2 they used Ektachrome.

Cool!!

 

[cmacd123]

https://ascmag.com/videos/clubhouse-conversations-euphoria-hacks

This is a one hour interview including the cinematographer who filmed the 2 special episodes of Euphoria. The text says the Vision 500T was used processed by Fotokem, ?

IMDB says that 5219 (Vision 3 500T) was used for SOME episodes of the First Season

Could it be that Ektachrome 100D was used and processed as a negative???

I would guess not, more like scanned and final output in the electronic domain.

For some reason I have in my head that NASA used Ektachrome and processed as a negative?
!!

Not quite - at least for the moon shots my understanding is that they used ektachrome and processed as reversal. Kodak did make them a SO version on a Polyester base, as acetate is not stable in a vacuum, while polyester used with the reference plates in the camera, and data on each lens, would allow them to do measurements from the images.

 

[mshchem]

IMDB says that 5219 (Vision 3 500T) was used for SOME episodes of the First Season


I would guess not, more like scanned and final output in the electronic domain.


Not quite - at least for the moon shots my understanding is that they used ektachrome and processed as reversal. Kodak did make them a SO version on a Polyester base, as acetate is not stable in a vacuum, while polyester used with the reference plates in the camera, and data on each lens, would allow them to do measurements from the images.

Was the Moon film extra thin??

 

[cmacd123]

according to this account ; https://ascmag.com/articles/flashback-photographing-apollo-11

"Films selected for use on the historic Apollo 11 mission were Kodak Ektachrome EF film SO-168 (ASA 160), in 16mm and 70mm; Kodak Ektachrome MS film SO-368 (ASA 64) in 16mm, 35mm and 70mm; and 70mm Kodak Panatomic-X recording film SO-164. All films used were fabricated on Kodak’s Estar thin base, which has a 2½-mil film thickness, as compared to the standard 5-to-7 mil thickness. This reduced thickness allows up to 33 percent more film to be carried on weight and bulk — critical space missions."

 

[mshchem]

Starting at 53 min. they say they used 16/35mm, prefer 35mm. Used 500T for the scene they were showing, but said for season 2 they used Ektachrome.

I looked at the interview at the 53 minute mark. I like when the cinematographer said, it was a little bit of a nightmare shooting 100 ISO Ektachrome at night .

I shot a lot of slide film, even Kodachrome time exposures at night close to 50 years ago. It was fun. This is so great that these young guys are shooting film now and then.