Star Wars: Episode IX To Be Shot On Film
Seeing a movie on film in a theater is much like listening to an album on vinyl. It may seem to be a bit antiquated in a world of streaming and instant gratification, but the experience is arguably always a richer, deeper one.
Colin Trevorrow recently announced during a Sundance press conference, that he intends to film Star Wars Episode IX on film, calling it a period piece. “There’s something in my brain that says, ‘well they didn’t have video cameras then,’” Trevorrow told reporters. He went on to explain that since it was a long time ago, digital media would seem anachronistic. The idea of a movie that could be considered the epitome of a blockbuster being shot on film is a huge notion in today’s digital age.
One would suppose that a film about space would be shot on what is considered to be the cutting edge of photographic technology, but considering the scope of the space drama, film might just be the best way to end the new trilogy. Throughout history, film has been able to beautifully capture some of the greatest sequences the human eye has ever witnessed and Trevorrow’s idea seems to be in that same vein of thought. Movies like The Ten Commandments, Ben Hur, and Lawrence of Arabia changed the landscape of film with their sheer scope and majesty while being shot on 35 mm.
Photo Credit: Starwars.com
Joining Trevorrow at the panel was director Christopher Nolan, of Inception and Interstellar fame, as well as Rachel Morrison, cinematographer of Fruitvale Station. The trio went onto herald the benefits of shooting movies on film rather than digital, calling the latter medium a cheap “corporate conspiracy” and “a culture trying to kill film.” Nolan did admit that he has the clout to demand the more expensive medium of film, but only because he believes that that is how movies should forever be made. Digital might be the best way to accomplish an independent film with a smaller budget, but with the might of Disney behind him, Trevorrow has the ability to film Star Wars Episode IX exactly the way his vision demands. Episode IX promises to be an explosive conclusion to the new trilogy so filming it in such a soulful way will most certainly add to the movie-goer’s immersion into a galaxy far, far away.
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