SI-2K sensor noise in Slumdog Millionaire
7 Comments Published by Matthew Jeppsen November 23rd, 2008 in NewsSilicon Imaging’s SI-2K digital cinema camera was apparently used to shoot the feature Slumdog Millionaire. Over at his HD Cinema blog, Ben Cain has some criticism for the camera. He takes specific issue with SI’s claim of a “low-noise, high-dynamic range sensor,” citing excessive image noise in some of the night exterior and dark interior scenes. Image quality discussion aside, the film is doing exceptionally well from a critical standpoint, with a current 92% RT rating. So I’m curious, did you see the film? And if so, did any potential image noise pull you out of the story in any way?
I saw the new Quantum of Solace Bond flick projected in 4K recently, and am reminded how in the very first shot I was pulled from the story by image noise. Instead of being drawn into the story by the long ocean aerial shot as it approached the shore, I was wondering how many stops the negative had been pushed. Yes, I’m a geek. To top it off, I didn’t enjoy the rest of the new Bond either. It was like Bourne, but with ham-handed editing and less plot. A big disappointment after Royale…
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I don’t know how anyone could be watching Slumdog Millionaire (caught it over the weekend) and be paying attention to sensor noise. It starts out on a TV show so you don’t spend much time trying to check image quality, and by the time it switches to torture, poop and blinding children, you are hardly watching for image quality on that level. I thought it was great.
As for Bond, I thought the beginning of Casino Royale was intentionally noisy; it stops being so after a while, when it switches gears. Maybe you were focusing on that? I also thought Quantum of Solace was wonderful.
I totally agree with your review, besides a couple technical things I disliked, the most important part of the movie (plot, then action :D) was sorely lacking. Compared to the plot and action sequences of casino royale, the sequel didn’t stand it’s ground…I did love the gravel/sand pit/excavation site sequence tho!
Saw it at the Arclight last night.
EXCELLENT.
People complaining about the sensor noise are a bunch of geeks who should be forced to watch all of the crappy films people have shot on RED so far as punishment.
Bruce Allen
http://www.boacinema.com
I just saw Slumdog Millionaire at the cinematography focused film festival in Lodz, Poland,
in the audience were many top world DOPs, many of them the receipiens of the Academy Award for best cinematography.
After the screening the discussion was not about whether it was shot on this or that format, but what a wanderful film it is and how well the images support the film.
Unfortunatelly I couldn’t say the same about the new Guy Ritchie’s film, also shot on HD.
While most/all HD formats look fantastic on any large TV monitor, the real test comes when they get blown up on a cinema screen.
But it’s not all down to the camera, the post is as important as the shoot and unless it’s done with due care the results may not be what the director and DOP had in mind.
I just saw Slumdog Millionaire today and whilst the film was excellent with great story, performances and images I did notice excessive image noise on about 10% of the shots. I wasnt looking for it because i didnt know about the production methods before hand. It started me wondering if they’d used a second unit and I dont like thinking about the production when I’m watching the film because it draws me out of it a bit. I can’t see how anyone who’s used to looking at filmed images every day wouldnt have noticed.
Andy
As far as the noise, in the final print of SDM. I agree with most of your postings that it is
irrelevant to the final story but can be annoying. That being said.. there are many reasons
why this could be, first off the blow-up to 35mm for theatrical release can sometimes add
grain, the night exteriors are shot in low light( obviously) but video can hold better than
film at times, if they were shooting guerilla, so to speak, or on the fly, the SI cameras are the way to go, thats why we are seeing features shot like never before. We should learn to live with it, cause its giving us better films.. Is anyone familiar with the format SDM was shot?
was it 2k or 4k or hd/sdi? the camera can do all of these, and whatever the DP chose, can greatly affect the image captured, just curious to know.. who can help me find this info?
Jeff
SI-2K cameras were only used for outside daylight scenes… the other shots used film.