How Greig Fraser shot THE BATMAN
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- The Batman is arguably the most anticipated comic-book movie of the past couple of years, and I don't think we could have asked for a better director-dp duo than Matt Reeves and Greig Fraser. They've managed to build a world that feels fresh to the Batman universe, yet doesn't feel out of place, and in today's video, I look at how Greig Fraser took it to the screen.
In today's video, I'll be covering the equipment Fraser used, his use of lighting, how he and Matt Reeves crafted the look, the utilization of Stagecraft technology, as well as comparing it to other similar Batman films.
As always if you have a recommendation for an analysis, let me know below!
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Equipment
02:46 The Lighting
05:11 Crafting the Look
07:55 Stagecraft
09:44 Compared to other Batman films
11:40 Conclusion
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The Dark Knight - • How Wally Pfister shot...
Joker - • How Lawrence Sher shot...
Source: variety.com/2022/film/news/ba...
Source: www.thewrap.com/the-batman-ci...
Source: www.indiewire.com/2022/03/the...
Music:
Karstenholymoly - Ave Maria
Dance of the Sugar Plum Faries - Tchaikovsky
Fur Elise - Beethoven
Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven
Deep Space - Audionautix
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - Mozart - Фільми й анімація
Before I get any more comments about the white letterboxing, I just have to say that I kind of have no other choice. I've used black letterboxing before but it causes a lot of issues with copyright and flags up UA-cam's anti-copyright detector before I even have a chance to upload it. In order to keep making these videos I do have to jump through a few holes in order to show the right footage, and this is one of those holes.
Trust me, if I could use black letterboxing, I would.
What about red? Anything but white
This movie inself is most beautful than all MCU's cinematography.
That’s not a very high bar, but yeah the cinematography in The Batman is spectacular.
@@Mikey-em8hs For a Superhero movie, the cinematography is unique.
@@henrique21890 Definitely. One of the best shot movies in the past few years.
Rent free
Multiverse of Madness and Love & Thunder would like a word with you.
About the lenses, there were also a Helios 44 and a Jupiter 9 used for the car chase sequence.
You did a great job in showing and supporting the idea how The Batman was not "too dark". I've seen really darkly lit movies before. But, not once while watching The Batman did I ever strain to see what was important. As a matter of fact, I agree that Greg Fraser literally "painted with light" in The Batman. As of now, The Batman has the best cinematography I've ever seen. Because of the cinematography, Greg Fraser made Gotham City as immersive as I've ever seen of a storyworld's environment. I would love to shoot a film with such a solid and complete look as The Batman.
I, too, would like to look into the world of virtual production. I think the advent of this technology will be the next step in making powerful films more budget friendly. Just as digital "film" cameras democratized filmmaking making it more accessible for smaller budgets, virtual production will open up the possibilities for the same reasons. Of course, this will also mean more "bad" films using the technology. But, it also means more people who don't have "connections" but have good scripts will have more power to create.
Great content, as usual. You should have millions of subscribers. Seriously.
Thanks!
Couldn't agree more, he perfectly balanced the use of lightness and shadow, and it didn't feel nearly as excessive as many were making it out to be.
I'll get onto the Stagecraft video asap, like you say it's going to be the next step for lower-budget productions. SO it could be quite beneficial for a few of the viewers.
Haha, Thanks so much :)
The OG Roger Deakins loves The Batman. He genuinely said it's the first time liking a Batman film.
I didn't really notice the dirty anamorphic look in theaters, but I definitely did when I watched it at home
Even compressed to shit on YT and being played on a worn out laptop...the beauty of the film shines through. There is so much texture and richness to the visuals of this film. The very first thing that made my heart melt for this film within the first 10mins was how gorgeous it looked.
An then I go online and the "THE BATMAN IZ TWO DARK LUUKING DUUUURRRRR" and my heart sinks. I can't believe we've been so conditioned by the Insurance Commercial aesthetic of modern blockbusters that something as visually revelatory at The Batman gets "too dark" accusations.
I think this is Fraser's best work. Would love to see a video on StageCraft! I agree that it's definitely the next big thing in filmmaking technology, and as an aspiring filmmaker I would love to use it during my career
So do I! I've been doing more research over the past few weeks, so I'll hopefully have a video coming out soon all about StageCraft!
I'd love to use it at some point too :)
The Arri Alfa lenses were produced at Greig Fraser request. He has worked with Arri for several years creating specific lenses (Arri DNAs etc) The Alfa primes are modifying Arri Master anamorphics which use a built in expander to cover an LF sensor and also detuned to create their signature look.
Her skin had an amazing glow to it even in very dark scenes. Even her lips.
Missed the opportunity to say 'A real change' at 0:31
Greig will be next cinematographer in Bond 26 if British or Australian filmmaker direct.Followed like Freddie Young,Claude Renoir,Phil Meheux,Robert Elswit,David Tattersal, Roger Deakins,Hoyte van Hoytema, & Linus Sandgren
Would love to see a video about stagecraft, It's just so damn interesting the way they use it.
Love seein my dude grow like this. Awesome
This an awesome breakdown! I hope you do more of these 🙏
Loved the film
Lighting with additional film lights in the Volume doesn't have much to do with discoloration the LED wall since the subjects are already being lit to an extent by them. It comes down to getting enough light exposure for the subject vs controlling background exposure and being able to physically/creatively place your key light, accent lights etc where you wish. For example, lighting for the Mandalorian or The Batman in the Volume relies heavily on where to best place lights that will give the best reflections off Mando's helmet/Batman's cowl for more depth and to bring out their silhouette.
Quasar Science lights are mostly out of favor here in the LA. Astera Titans, Arri Skypanels, Creamsource Vortex 8 and Litemats are the standard these days. If you notice the empty sections of in the top of the LED, that's where lights are usually added. Probably a Vortex 8 pushing through a diffusion frame. Based off the bts footage, I can say for sure Vortex 8s and Micro Colors were used in the Volume.
I was just relaying information from a BSC panel I attended surrounding LED Volume walls and discolouration, I took their word for fact. Thanks for the info though, I'll definitely be looking more into it!
@@AngusDaviesDP the discoloration may factor into why the Volume LED walls alone are not used to light the subjects but post-coloring has gone such a long way in finalizing the image. BUT gaffers do have the ability to create "shapes of light" on the LED walls through an app on their tablet (Not sure if this app is proprietary to Volume tech). So in more than one ways (architectural light vs environmental light) the Volume is still being used to light the subjects.
You were quick with this one lol. Great stuff as always, and would definitely love a video about volume since it's getting picked up more. On that note, would you make a video about the current discourse surrounding "CGI is not cinematography" conversation happening right now? Stemming from the recent Thor Love and Thunder trailer people seem to be adamant about CG shots not comprising of cinematography and would like to hear you talk about this topic further to explain some things
I was super excited to work on it as well. Thanks!
Will definitely get on that.
Thanks for sorting this Sundays video idea, that’s an amazing suggestion!
a great channel creating great videos carried by a great passion
Brilliant as always, man.
Thanks!
You know after they shot on Alexa LF, they recorded the digital file onto Kodak 2242 35mm film right? They then took those negatives, and contact printed those negatives onto 2242 again to make an interpostive. So the colors and texture you're seeing is Kodak film, not alexa color science.
I didn’t no. I couldn’t find it in an article anywhere and without a solid source I don’t like to include anything in a video. But thanks for pointing it out, I’ll definitely be looking into it.
It makes sense though, as if I recall correctly, he did the same on Dune.
Dope video ! Just to add a few tidbits on, Reeves and Fraser gave the specs for the lenses they were going to use to the VR team, so Reeves could use VR to scope out and plan his shots virtually.. Like, he literally storyboarded the whole movie in VR. Amazing !!! A lot of the rain in the movie was added in post too (CG), and all the rain during the car chase scene was CG. Sick !
Thanks!
Ah ok, I read something about Fraser being able to go through the whole storyboard in 5 or so minutes, but I didn't realise that it was all in VR!
I kind of expected the CGI Rain, but couldn't find anything to verify it, so thanks for letting me know :)
Great vid. I feel like your channel fills an important niche for aspiring filmmakers and people who are interested in how films are made, thank you
Thanks!
So glad it's helping others out :)
@@AngusDaviesDP definitely helping me out man currently a film uni student and your channel opens my mind to so many things, when you mention what equipment they used and why they used it my mind lights up and clears how I could learn how to be like that and use that equipment too. Awesome channel keep going :))
Hello again! Love Klute! An analysis of that one would be so awesome cos that movie is such a touchstone for my taste in filmmaking. And this Batman looks so good, I hope it gets a nomination this year 🤤
Hey!
I'm yet to see it, but it been on the watchlist for a couple of years now...
I won't be surprised if he wins 2 times in a row.
Greatest Movie, I have ever seen.
Damn, I didn't know the movie was shot on digital! I was pretty sure it was shot on film
Needed
I know for certain that Fraiser like to use the light from the volume as often as possible and only bring in external sources when needed. The light from the wall is quite terrible quality yes, however when you only use that quality of light in the screen it doesn't become as noticeable, on top of Stagecrafts streamlined color pipeline and the grade in post.
I like this movie, but i think they couldve dialed the contrast up a bit since it can be hard to see whats happening in the frame.
Yaaaaasssssss
Well done and very interesting.
The rumor of the use of vintage lenses (ex. Helios 44-m) for car chase scenes would not be true?
Thanks!
I didn't see it listed anywhere, but I do remember hearing about the use of vintage lenses somewhere so I wouldn't rule it out.
@@AngusDaviesDP The Dolby UA-cam channel has two great interviews with Matt Reeves, one with him and his sound team and one with his visual team. He states that they used Russian lenses that were de-tuned or "broken" for the filming as they gave the look they were going for. They are focused in the center and blur/distort on the edges of the frame. He also talked about the work they did to ensure that the CG heavy scenes had the same look as the non-CG scenes.
This is the first video of yours I've seen and I've subscribed to receive notifications on your new ones. Great work here, Angus!
The car chase used a number of IronGlass rehoused soviet primes and some other I believe Japanese lenses. The same lenses were used for some shots on The Creator and for specific scenes in Dune Part 2.
why the white letter box
Aesthetic is on but I just couldn’t feel for anyone. You did the death of the parents, and Riddler, Falcone, Penguin, Cat Woman, Batman, Alfred, the Commissioner and then at the end joker 😂. Like bro what! There’s a reason Dune is more then one movie 😂
The Batman is the most beautiful Batman movie (in fact, the most beautiful movie) I've ever seen. It really feels like Fraser painted with lights, and shows us that it's not only lights, but shadows too that creates a beautiful, cinematically aesthetic, realistic visual portrayal.
Man can you do one thing make a video on the cinematography and look of KGF 2 . Please man! I always watch your videos. If you see it, you will definitely like it
People tend forget that The Dark Knight is suppose to be in the dark/shadows. I think people mess up by trying watch these movies in bright sun on their phones. These types of movies are meant for the big screen.🤦🏾♂️
who is Batsman?
It really is an outstanding masterpiece and I appreciate your work thats gone into making this video. But why oh why are those hyperdistracting white bars on top and bottom?!? It makes it really a pain to watch imho, sorry.😅
My guess is that he played Arkham City
A John Constantine film will fit in with this style of filming
Did Batman recover?
Everyone knows uncle Greig uses digital sputniks a lot
That was it!
I saw them in the background but just couldn't think of the name off the top of my head.
Thought he wouldve just used a gun
Great video but am i the only one suffering from the white frame? As a visually spoiled brat i only made it to 1:36 :(
Thanks! And completely understandable haha, I use to have big issues with copyright and this was the easiest way to bypass, I've since changed it over and I don't seem to have the issue anymore!
@@AngusDaviesDP ok i see - good luck to you ;)
Please dont use white latter box? It's so distracting
I don't really have a choice due to copyright reasons.
im just gutted that you chose to use those obscene white letterbox borders on the edge. it really throws off watching this in full screen. the white is so bright and disconcerting.
People like yourself that complain about the white border must not be here for information that you can utilize… I literally didn’t even notice the white boxes, simply because I was soaking up the information given here. These type of videos are meant to educate you quickly, rather than having to do your own research. Relax
In my own opinion, I hate the cinematography as it is way too dark and distorted, to the point where it is hard to see what is going on.
To this day, I have not managed to get through the whole film without falling asleep or turning it off. And I went to the midnight showing when it was released!
If Batman 2 is the same, I won't be watching it! So please don't make it the same.
I can pick one good thing about it. And that was Colin Farrell's performance as The Penguin.
LOL.
7:57 Jon Watts should watch this part. Spiderman no way home was in no way a good movie at all. Only the plot was good but nonetheless, it was too much.
It was only good because of nostalgia back in 2002/04.
Sadly, That white letterbox prevented us from watching any further than 3 min. There’s a reason its supposed to be black. When you make a video talking about the cinematographer and their lighting of a film and the overall color timing that has been chosen to express said film all the while being bordered with a bright mono, one can only speculate exactly how much knowledge the host, he or she, actually possesses of the presented subjected.
I’ve tried using a black background before but it causes way too many issues with copyright. I have to cut way more often and it takes 5+ exports to make sure that there are no issues with it. I agree that it’s harder to watch but until copyright laws are relaxed there’s not much I can do about it. (There’s a reason other channels similar to mine do the same thing e.g. In Depth Cine, Karsten Runquist)
I use black bars for everything I can (for example instagram and wherever is suitable on UA-cam) but it’s just not feasible for the majority of videos. So please don’t insult my ability to posses information for something I have no control over.