In a BTS video of NOPE published by IMAX, the acclaimed cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema states that he and director Jordan Peele did very extreme and crazy things with the IMAX film cameras. We can’t wait to watch this first IMAX horror movie.

NOPE: “Shot With IMAX”

IMAX brags that NOPE belongs to the category of “Shot With IMAX” which means that the movie was actually being filmed with IMAX film cameras, rather than just being adapted to IMAX screening (Optimized for IMAX, or Filmed for IMAX). Confused? Read our article that clarifies these definitions]. Anyway, not all scenes of NOPE were filmed on the ‘real deal’ (MSM 9802). Another camera was the wonderful Panavision Panaflex System 65. Anyhow, 65mm all the way, and that means that NOPE is the first R-rated film to be filmed with IMAX cameras.

Directed by Jordan Peele

NOPE (Not Of Planet Earth?) is an upcoming American science fiction horror film written, directed, and produced by Jordan Peele. NOPE was shot by IMAX cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema using Kodak film, including 65mm film in IMAX format. AS known, Hoytema which is Nolan’s cinematic partner specializes in 65mm film cameras and earned some decent precious experience on operating those beasts. Indeed, NOPE seems like a very special big-screen project. As stated by Peele in the new BTS video released by IMAX: “NOPE stands from my other films as this is a bigger adventure than I ever tried to tell. From my filmmaking perspective is by far my most ambitious. Thankfully, the great Hoyte Van Hoytema, one of the best cinematographers and a mastermind behind some of my favorite films and favorite imagery, has responded to the script and the challenges”.

Thankfully, the great Hoyte Van Hoytema, one of the best cinematographers and a mastermind behind some of my favorite films and favorite imagery, has responded to the script and the challenges.

NOPE Director – Jordan Peele

Involvement in the new IMAX cameras

Furthermore, Peele is involved in the development process of the next generation of IMAX cameras. As a reminder — IMAX is working with the world’s most accomplished filmmakers and cinematographers, including Jordan Peele and Christopher Nolan, to identify new specs and features for the prototype development phase already underway.  “IMAX is movie magic pushed to its limit,” said Peele. “When you see a film in an IMAX theater, it feels like you are there. It’s complete immersion, and there’s nothing quite like it. Shooting with the IMAX Film Cameras gave us a look and feel you can’t get anywhere else. And we are only at the beginning, there’s still so much to be explored in this format” Peele added. Nevertheless, NOPE was shot with the current generation of IMAX cameras, and not with the new ones. However, we’re pretty sure they have been testing them on set.

We were not shy of doing very extreme or crazy things with those cameras.

NOPE DP- Hoyte Van Hoytema

Hoytema: We did crazy things with these cameras

Moreover, DP Hoyte Van Hoytema elaborated in the BTS: “It was a very exhilarating ride always creative fun never scared and always pushing in the scope of what we can do, this is made for a big screen. Shot on IMAX cameras and we were not shy of doing very extreme or crazy things with those cameras”. Indeed, in the BTS video, we see some crazy heavy IMAX shoulder setup— very similar to Tenet and No Time to Die. IMAX cameras were utilized on the shoulder and on helicopters as well (as shown in the BTS). “I wanted immersion of awe and a fear and a wonder we all had when we were kids” summarized Peele. Hence, NOPE seems like a refreshing huge screen experience as horror is extremely amplified especially when screened in IMAX theater. Let’s wait and see how it delivers. Meanwhile, watch the BTS below: