Christopher Nolan has long admired IMAX, influenced by childhood experiences watching nature documentaries at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. His fascination with the format culminates in The Odyssey, the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX film.
An IMAX First
Nolan’s journey toward using IMAX started several years ago. Complications arose due to the excessive noise of IMAX cameras during dialogue-driven scenes. After completing Oppenheimer, a solution emerged under the project dubbed “the blimp.” A new IMAX camera, called The Keighley after Patricia and David Keighley of IMAX, was created. The film is dedicated to David Keighley, who passed away shortly after completing the film.
The new system presented challenges, as the camera, encased in the blimp, weighed 300 pounds. Film needed frequent reloading, and a mirror system was necessary for actors to see each other during scenes. Nolan’s objective was to offer audiences something special and new.
The Odyssey will be available across various formats, including IMAX 70 mm, 70 mm, IMAX digital, 35 mm, and Dolby Cinema.
Nolan’s Favorite Formats
Nolan explained to The Associated Press that choice of format impacts audience experience, recommending IMAX screens for optimal cinematic immersion.
His films Dunkirk, Tenet, and Oppenheimer were shot using large format film stock for sharp, clear images. The IMAX 70 mm format delivers an immersive, glasses-free 3D experience.
Technically, IMAX film resolution is nearly tenfold higher than 35 mm, with each frame holding about 18,000 pixels compared to a home HD screen’s 1,920 pixels. Differences in film and projection sizes stem from historical soundtrack needs.
Impact of Formats on Filming
Starting with The Dark Knight, Nolan’s team ensured each film could translate well across formats by “center punching the action.” This method accounts for varying screen aspect ratios, ensuring successful framing in different theaters.
Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema considers theatre-specific frame lines, especially for IMAX 1.43:1 screens, which provide an immersive experience. Other formats like 35 mm and CinemaScope involve cropping.
Nolan described no compromise to composition with these differences.
IMAX 70 mm: The Ideal Experience
Nolan prefers IMAX 70 mm film for its quality and rarity within only 32 theaters in the US and Canada. Popular locations include AMC Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles and AMC Lincoln Square in New York. Other locations showcase it, such as Cinemark 17 in Dallas.
Digital IMAX presentations remain widely accessible, including various projection formats developed by theater chains like Regal RPX. Regardless, Nolan ensures digital formats are optimized for excellent viewer experience.
Nolan highlights how the IMAX format’s popularity has led to an increased focus among theaters on sound and projection presentation, benefiting filmmakers.
Optimal Seating Preferences
Though seating preference varies, Nolan offered his preferences for different theater types:
- In CinemaScope ratio theaters: Front, middle of the third row.
- In stadium settings, IMAX 1.43:1: Slightly behind center line, middle section.
These preferences cater to an optimal immersive experience.
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