Cinnafilm HD1
Many new technologies and advancements were presented at SIGGRAPH 2008, but to me, none more exciting, and relevant, as Cinnafilm HD1. The key focus of Cinnafilm is to provide a tool for filmmakers, mainstream or independent, with an affordable solution to apply celluloid film effects to a digital format. I was very fortunate to meet and listen to the developers Lance Maurer and Dillon Sharlet as they explained this powerful new software solution.
First and foremost, one of many amazing features of Cinnafilm HD1 is the fact that you can apply and modify your film in real-time! This is astounding when you consider that the modus operandi of using effects in a digital environment is to apply them and wait for the software to go back over the film and render the changes. The reason that this is even feasible is due to an algorithm that computes the motion vectors on every frame down to ¼ pixel accuracy. By calculating this ahead of time, the software is able to know exactly where every pixel is going to be at any given time, allowing for effects to be applied without having to wait for the footage to render.
At its genesis, Cinnafilm HD1’s concentration has been primarily focused on providing genuine solution to the tension of choosing between using film or digital media. Currently, if a filmmaker wants to have the “look” of film in his work, they had a choice between spending a lot of money to have it transferred from a digital origin, for less-than desired results, or simply use regular film stock; which can be too costly. With the Cinnafilm HD1 technology, not only can you choose from preset film stock effects that have authentic results, you can also apply and tweak the dust, fibers, and scratches in that have an organic quality. The software safeguards against any mechanical regenerations that would give the film a digital aftertaste. And to make things even better, the user also gets control over pigmentation correlation, color, and weight levels of the film grain as well. This much access to the film grain and color of your film is what any filmmaker needs at their fingertips.
