Panavision Genesis
Let’s start here, since I believe the only actual piece of film equipment in the Film Center is a gorgeous Panaflex GII. Sharing space with this icon is the Panavision Genesis–with it’s Sony CineAlta HD SR 444 recorder (tape). This is a serious rig for serious (budgeted) 35mm films. This week is a great chance to see it if you’re around in Park City–Film Center is at 333 Main in the basement.
Things to know: If you want to shoot to SR 444 tape untethered, this is the way to do it. Panavision’s Ric Halpern who runs the education/new filmmaker program reminds me of the flap with disc arrays and insurance companies–perhaps solved by now. But for their part, Panavision wanted the Genesis to fit as much as possible into the familiar workflow and business realities of 35mm studio filmmaking. So tape, for the moment is tried and tested (and understood by acuaries). Just one factor in the matrix of choosing your format…
Who’s using it: Dean Semler for Mel Gibson, Jim Orr for Rocco Devilliers.
