Long story short: Ok, so the intention was to shoot a 16x9 short. The camera guy shot in 4x3 under the theory we would just have more choices by moving the 4x3 frame around inside the 16x9 frame. As it turns out, the framing we got sometimes is best framed 4x3, and sometimes it's best at 16x9, leaving editing a mess.
One idea might be to try a different aspect ratio in between 1.33 and 1.78 in hopes of achieving a happy medium. What do people think? Might an odd aspect ratio make it significantly harder to get into festivals?
If your shooting on film or were shooting on film, its always best to get the camera assitant to expose a few frames with the ground glass markings to get the aspect ratios in place to figure out how excatly the DP framed his shots.
It almost always helps for short films like we always do.
Hi
Sorry to say but there is no "inbetween" ratio. I highly suggest shooting in 16/9 and then pan & scan if needed to package - but I doubt it. We are all going into the HD world and 4/3 will die eventually. Even for specific festivals, offer a 1,78, as offered in HD and DVD. This will proove you're modern and aware of the new standars. Do not limit yourself in a 4/3 frame in your action, it's not worth it anymore.
Nijni
24p?
24p?
Actually, there is an accepted "in-between," and I'd suggest at least trying it. 1.66:1 is narrower than 16x9 and wider than 4x3, and it's been used all over the place, including Dr. Strangelove. It's not as widely used anymore, but take a shot and see how it looks.
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Andrew Gingerich
Exploding Goldfish Films
Check out my vodcast on iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=96931870
and my blog at http://www.exgfilms.com
-----------------
Andrew Gingerich
Exploding Goldfish Films
Check out my blog at http://www.exgfilms.com
and my reel at http://portfolio.exgfilms.com
I myself usually use 4:3 or something wider than 16x9 because I think 16x9 is ugly ugly UGLY.
But that's just me.
-----------------
Andrew Gingerich
Exploding Goldfish Films
Check out my vodcast on iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=96931870
and my blog at http://www.exgfilms.com
-----------------
Andrew Gingerich
Exploding Goldfish Films
Check out my blog at http://www.exgfilms.com
and my reel at http://portfolio.exgfilms.com