RED: the rise of digital cinema

In recent years an increasing amount of Hollywood Blockbusters, American TV shows, commercials and independent films have been embracing new developments in digital cinema.

One of the main reasons for this is the development from RED, a digital cinema camera company created by former Oakley sunglasses founder Jim Jannard. Since the creation of the company in 2007, several Hollywood blockbuster films have been shot on RED, including Neill Blomkamp’s District 9, Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones, Lars Von Trier’s Anti Christ, and Green Zone, directed by Paul Greengrass.

The RED ONE camera gives 35mm film quality at a fraction of the price, and instant playback of footage from 25 – 120 frames per second at 2k to 4k resolution. With no film developing costs and the RED ONE camera costing around £18,000 (compared with the Arri Alexa starting at £37,000), it is becoming the camera of choice for independent filmmakers.

As part of the Liverpool Biennial’s 2010 theme, ‘Touched’, Spanish artist Cristina Lucas used the RED One and Phantom HD cameras to shoot former industrial workers throwing stones through windows. Shot in super slow motion (from 50 to 1000 frames per second), the workers spelt out the words ‘TOUCH AND GO’ on windows of a derelict warehouse in the centre of Liverpool.

Next week MITES post production facilities are being used to edit the Phantom HD/RED One 2K and 4K footage. It will be shown from the 18th of September to 28th December on the first floor of the Europleasure International LTD abandoned building on Duke Street. Be sure to go along and take a look at not only a wonderful piece of work, but what has been a big step forward in video production.

MITES offers post-production services including RED post-production, film and video consultancy and professional video camera hire.