PORTIONS OF THE DARK KNIGHT TO BE SHOT ON IMAX
Tue, May 29, 2007
Warner Bros. has announced that portions of The Dark Knight will be shot in the IMAX format - the first feature film to be partially shot in the large film format. Though Hollywood has been increasingly showing feature films on IMAX screens, the process usually entails stretching the picture on the large screens. The expense and technological limits of the system, as well as the lack of theaters to show films shot in IMAX has caused Hollywood to be slow in embracing the format. ”It doesn’t have a huge effect yet on the money you bring in,” 20th Century Fox distribution chief Chris Aronson told USA Today. ”But it does help make your movie more of an event.”
Director Christopher Nolan will shoot four action sequences using IMAX cameras, including the introduction of the Joker, played by Heath Ledger. ”We wanted the Joker to have the grandest entrance possible,” says Nolan of the move. ”There’s simply nothing like seeing a movie that way. It’s more immersive for the audience. I wish I could shoot the entire thing this way.
Though the scenes will fill the entire eight foot IMAX screen and look even more vivid on standard theater screens, don’t expect to see a full length IMAX feature anytime soon. The film stock, which is ten times bigger than standard film is expensive and requires the use of cameras that are bulky and loud. ”We had to figure a way to eliminate the sound so we could shoot dialogue,” explains Nolan.
Despite the logistical issues, Nolan is excited to embrace the new format. ”You can’t do this on any home theater,” says Nolan. ”I figured if you could take an IMAX camera to Mount Everest or outer space, you could use it in a feature movie.”
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