What is VistaVision?

VistaVision movies where made by Paramount in the 1950's. It was a high quality way to capture widescreen motion picture images. But how does it work? And why did it not last into the 1960's? Check out my video to learn more!

[bowi]

I'm here because "The Brutalist" is marketed as "VistaVision".

[wrestlecritical]

Great Video! When I found out End of Evangelion was shot entirely on Vistavision in 1997 it blew my mind!

[pixbypatric]

The Brutalist was shot on VistaVision.

[verdigo]

I'm watching Ten Commandments in 4k HDR and man does it look fantastic! Tones and clothing looks amazing, and some of the vistas are absolutely stunning, like documentary footage from today!

[theoldman]

Excellent concise explanation and video.

[CreatureFeatures]

Interesting info I never knew prior. More videos like this, please. But show more of the equipment itself. :)

[TweetBomb]

I'm so surprised that Vistavision isn't used anymore for acutal features. It would be far cheaper than 65mm, it's 8-perf so it provides twice the resolution than super 35, and produces a breath taking image -- the color saturation is dream-like (reds look like a completely new color), awesome color separation so the image doesn't look like a blurry, mushy flat mess like digital. There's so much texture and the way in which the skin tones are rendered feels like I could touch Grace Kelly's face in To Catch A Thief and feel how soft it looks (and probably was). It's a format that for the life of me I don't understand why it's not used. Maybe because of the 1.66 aspect ratio? You can easily crop to say a 2.35 if so desired but idk. If i ever get a chance to shoot on the format I will do it in a heartbeat. Thanks for sharing!

[AtOddsAlways]

I'm an "old" carbon-arc projectionist from the 60's. Never had the opportunity to run Vista but recall hearing from some of my generation's Old Timers who did and they said it was a pain in the butt BUT the picture quality was unforgettable. I remember them talking about the physical gyrations they had to go through to thread the film through the projector's path. The only thing I have to compare and this is only from an audience standpoint: Cinerama at the Denver Cooper. It was an unforgettable experience but a totally different process and not one for this discussion..

[HazumuOsaragi-ku]

Regular 35mm motion picture film - 4 perforations vertical
VistaVision 35mm motion picture film — 8 perfs horizontal>
In the industry it was referred to as "lazy-8" on account of the 8 pers and the horizontal orientation.

[Jason-os]

Cheer~~~a form of widescreen cinematography employing standard 35 mm film in such a way as to give a larger projected image using ordinary methods of projection.😊

[larzlarz]

The Brutalist. Vistavision still lives in 2024!

[zorkonthegreat]

Hi. Your graphic is somewhat off. There should be 4 perfs within the 35mm frame and 8 perfs for the VistaVision frame.

[OsamaRaoPK]

Thank you for explaining.

One thing I don't understand. How is one larger film format printed onto a smaller one? This would cause a crop right?

Conversely, how can it be printed onto a larger one? The Brutalist is being shown in 70mm in some places, how is that possible? Wont it cause some distortion?

[Gaverny]

Just saw To Catch a Thief.
Thanks for this

[JohnK-glum]

Many thanks for your video. One thing confuses me however, looking at the Mitchell VistaVision camera, the film travels horizontally through the gate as you say, but the magazine feed and take up either side seem to be set vertically (like the BNC etc) - was the film twisted 90 degrees en route?

[ibrahimal-khalaf]

Great video! — does the canon 5d have vista vision? What’s the difference between vista vision and full frame?

[darcytomayko]

I'm here for new film "one battle after another" not yet released all shot on Vista vision. Don't call it a comeback lol

[robfriedrich]

Vistavision was also turned into 70 mm

[nicholassheffo]

Christopher Nolan still uses VistaVision and I doubt it is dead yet. More classic VistaVision film are also being restored and John Ford's Technicolor classic THE SEARCHERS is coming out in 2024, so we have reason to celebrate!

[jakewestbrook]

part of me wants to be ambitious and made a movie on vistavision