Civil War: is another ‘Filmed for IMAX’ mega-budget project shot on a prosumer camera. This time the team picked the DJI Ronin 4D. IMAX movies that are being shot on prosumer cameras — A new trend?

Update (26/3/24): A note from IMAX

CIVIL WAR did not use IMAX-certified cameras. The DJI Ronin 4D is not an IMAX-certified camera. Furthermore, IMAX states: “Filmed for IMAX is a specific program here that most importantly involves productions that are shot with IMAX film cameras or IMAX-certified digital cameras. There are other key points that designate a title Filmed for IMAX – e.g. extended, bespoke marketing support from IMAX in partnership with our studio partners, IMAX involvement from pre- through post-production, and the like”. 

Update (6/3/24): A note from Sony: VENICE 2 as the A-cam

DoP Rob Hardy and he can confirm most of the film was filmed on VENICE 2 and alpha7s3 and not the Ronin, although this was used in a few parts. Explore the BTS picture below:

A24’s most expensive film

Civil War is a 2024 dystopian action film written and directed by Alex Garland. Its plot follows a team of journalists who travel across the United States during the rapidly escalating Second American Civil War, which has engulfed the entire nation. Civil War is scheduled to be theatrically released on April 12, by A24 in the U.S. and by Entertainment Film in the UK. Principal photography led by DP Rob Hardy, began in Atlanta on March 2022. By May, production had moved to London. The production budget for Civil War was $50 million, making it A24’s most expensive film. Surprisingly, the film wasn’t shot on IMAX film cameras, nor on IMAX-certified cameras. The camera behind Civil War is the DJI Ronin 4D.

Filmed for IMAX on prosumer cameras

Do you remember The Creator? The film that initiated endless debates was shot on the Sony FX3, also for IMAX screening. The Creator had a budget of $80,000,000, and yet, the team chose a $4,000 camera to shoot the whole film with. The reasons were its compactness and low light capabilities. In the Civil War, the DJI Ronin 4D was picked for the same reasons, more or less. As stated before by DJI: “Flexibility is the key in the Ronin 4D”. Although the Ronin 4D costs a bit more than the FX3, it’s still considered a prosumer camera. Actually, the DJI Ronin 4D was purely born for the Run N’ Gun shooting style, which serves the story of Civil War.

Keeping it simple with the camera

It seems that directors and cinematographers want a camera that will not slow them on set. Indeed, Sony FX3 and DJI Ronin 4D were designed for a hassle-free cinematography process. The question remains if it holds the IMAX screen. We’ve seen The Creator on IMAX, and it looked solid. It’s not DUNE though, but it’s solid. Furthermore, IMAX utilizes AI technology to “blow up images” and fit the imagery into the IMAX screen. Thus, it will be interesting to see how Civil War will hold against the huge canvas. Meanwhile, watch the trailer below: 

IMAX has published a short interview with the film director Alex Garland who stated: “There’s a bunch of things about IIMAX and the things everyone talks about obviously is the size of the screen, which is spectacular. But one of the things I like about IMAX is actually the sound system, and this film has some really beautiful sound design, but it’s also at times quite overwhelming. It’s just a good way to see a movie”. So there you go. Just like The Creator, Civil War’s IMAX aspects focus on sounds rather than imagery. Anyway, let’s wait till April 12. Would you go to see Civil War in an IMAX theater?

Product List

Here are the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers. 

• DJI Ronin 4D 4-Axis Cinema Camera 6K Combo Kit
  • BUY on B&H

• DJI Ronin 4D 4-Axis Cinema Camera 8K Combo Kit
  • BUY on B&H