Alone and Restless was shot on an unprecedented level of formats for a unique visual quality. Director Michael Thomas Dunn has been recognized internationally for his incredible visual style and presence. The new feature film will be shot in a mixture of consumer and professional film systems to present the erratic point of view of its psychotic narrator (portrayed by Allan Medina). Super8 Reversal Film, 16mm Reversal Film, Analog 8mm Video, DVCam Pro and HDTV 1080i were all used in the production of Alone and Restless. "It really was the only way to capture the crazy trip that encompasses the storyline. The aspect ratios costantly change and so do the grainy qualities of the images. The bizarre visuals make you ride along with the characters through their nightmare," says Director Mike Dunn.
Breaking new boundaries for distribution was also a goal of the producers. Alone and Restless is the first independent feature film to officially support both Blu Ray and the HD-DVD standards. All three versions of the film release (DVD, HD-DVD and Blu Ray) will really push the visual capabilities of their respective players.
History of Each Format:
Super8 Film (Reversal)
Introduced in 1965 by Kodak, this consumer grade film stock features a fair range of color. This film is ideal for the scenes in Alone and Restless that require a gritty, grainy look.
16mm Film (Reversal)
16mm film remains the most common film stock used by indepedent filmmakers (the Super16 variant of 16mm film is also popular among television shows). The wide availability of stocks in both negative and reversal forms gives production companies a vast amount of choices. This film stock will be used in various methods to bridge between the scenes shot in Super8 and 35mm (the clarity of the characters will improve with the frame).
8mm Analog Video
This consumer format was developed by Sony to replace bulky VHS camcorders. This grainy video will be intercut and mixed with Super8 film segments for the raw, edgy nature that establishes Alone and Restless.
DVCam Pro
This professional standard was developed for emerging technologies such as IEEE Firewire that is implemented on newer editing equipment and computers. Otherwise known as DV, this format will be used in the psuedo-documentary style portions of Alone and Restless.
HDTV 1080i
The next video standard that is moving into the mainstream. High Definition Television will open and close Alone and Restless. This format is gradually replacing the existing NSTC standard currently in use nationwide. The term 1080i refers to the resolution of the image, with 1080 scan lines interlaced at 60 frames per second.
Camera Lineup
16mm: Krasnogorsk K-3
Super8: Bell & Howell 2123XL
HDTV: Sony HDR-HC3
DVCam Pro: Sony TRV-7000
8mm: RCA Pro 800
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