Oppenheimer's Cinematographer: “Shoot film! It's much easier than you think”
Oppenheimer's Cinematographer: “Shoot film! It's much easier than you think”

Oppenheimer’s Cinematographer: “Shoot film! It’s much easier than you think”

2024-03-13
2 mins read

As a part of his Oscars 2024 winning speech, Oppenheimer’s cinematographer – Hoyte van Hoytema, advises filmmakers to shoot on film. “It’s much easier than you think,” he says. What do you think of his advice? 

Hoyte van Hoytema Talks About Film, Large Format, and Nolan
Hoyte van Hoytema Talks About Film, Large Format, and Nolan

To all aspiring filmmakers out there, I would like to say please try shooting with that incredible, new, hip thing called ‘celluloid. It’s much easier than you think. And it makes things look so much better.

Oppenheimer DP – Hoyte van Hoytema

Hoyte takes the Oscars

It’s not a secret that the acclaimed IMAX cinematographer and Christopher Nolan’s cinematic partner, Hoyte Van Hoytema NSC FSF ASC, loves shooting on film. He has said before that he trusts celluloid and doesn’t want to shoot on digital. Indeed, it was worth it, as Hoytema took the Oscars 2024 Cinematography award for Oppenheimer. Furthermore, during his speech at the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, Hoytema gave a piece of advice to filmmakers: “To all aspiring filmmakers out there, I would like to say please try shooting with that incredible, new, hip thing called ‘celluloid. It’s much easier they think. And it makes things look so much better” Hoytema stated and praised the extraordinary imagery crafted from the mighty IMAX film cameras utilized by him in all Christopher Nolan masterpieces.

BTS of Oppenheimer: Hoyte van Hoytema filming with the IMAX camera. Picture: IMAX
BTS of Oppenheimer: Hoyte van Hoytema filming with the IMAX camera. Picture: IMAX

Panavision introduces the bespoke probe lens

In continuation of our articles focusing on the lenses behind Oppenheimer, Panavision has just officially introduced the custom-made lens used to film the macro particle shots. As stated by Panavision: “In celebration of The Oscars, we’re showcasing a special, custom probe lens created exclusively for Oppenheimer captivating microphotography sequences, designed by Panavision’s Senior Vice President of Optical Engineering and Lens Strategy Dan Sasaki (aka The Lens Guru)”. Moreover, “To represent Oppenheimer’s visions of an atomic detonation, ASC Award winning #cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema ASC FSF NSC needed to be able to photograph submerged wood and aluminum flakes, burning thermite, and other microscopic elements in 15-perf IMAX. Van Hoytema called upon Panavision’s special optics team to design a custom, watertight, interchangeable IMAX lens relay. Onscreen, the result is an immersive view of Oppenheimer’s mental visions of atoms colliding and setting off chain reactions” Panavision added. Explore this very special lens below:

The Panavision probe lens paired with IMAX film camera on Oppenheimer. Picture by Panavisioin
The Panavision probe lens paired with IMAX film camera on Oppenheimer. Picture by Panavisioin
The Panavision probe lens paired with IMAX film camera on Oppenheimer. Picture by Panavisioin
The Panavision probe lens paired with IMAX film camera on Oppenheimer. Picture by Panavisioin

As explained, the lens was specially designed to be paired with IMAX 9802 film cameras, in order to craft those excellent atomic particle shots instead of just using special effects.

Closing thoughts

We wrote numerous articles regarding the advantages of shooting on film (discipline, accuracy, costs – in some cases, and of course, the texture of the imagery). Note that IMAX film costs like gold ($1,500 for 3 minutes of shooting at 24 frames per second) and might be used by high-end production only. However, many independent filmmakers do shoot on ARRIFLEX and ARRICAM film cameras, even in low-budget projects, just to get the authentic look of celluloid. Will you consider using film in your next project?

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Yossy is a filmmaker who specializes mainly in action sports cinematography. Yossy also lectures about the art of independent filmmaking in leading educational institutes, academic programs, and festivals, and his independent films have garnered international awards and recognition.
Yossy is the founder of Y.M.Cinema Magazine.

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