List of motion picture film formats

This list of motion picture film formats catalogues formats developed for shooting or viewing motion pictures, ranging from the Chronophotographe format from 1888, to mid-20th century formats such as the 1953 CinemaScope format, to more recent formats such as the 1992 IMAX HD format.

To be included in this list, the formats must all have been used in the field or for test shooting, and they must all use photochemical images that are formed or projected on a film base, a transparent substrate which supports the photosensitive emulsion. As well, the formats must have been used to make more than just a few test frames. The camera must be fast enough (in frames per second) to create an illusion of motion consistent with the persistence of vision phenomenon. The format must be significantly unique from other listed formats in regard to its image capture or image projection. The format characteristics should be clearly definable in several listed parameters (e. g., film gauge, aspect ratio, etc.).

Legend

Format is the name of the process; some formats may have multiple names in common usage.
Creator is the individual or company most directly attributable as the developer of the system.
Year created usually refers to the earliest date that the system was used to completion (i.e. projection), but may refer to when it was developed if no known film was made.
First known film is the first film (not including tests) made with the format and intended for release.
Negative gauge is the film gauge (width) used for the original camera negative.
Negative aspect ratio is the image ratio determined by the ratio of the gate dimensions multiplied by the anamorphic power of the camera lenses (1× in the case of spherical lenses).^[1]
Gate dimensions are the width and height of the camera gate aperture, and by extension the film negative frame.
Negative pulldown describes the film perforations per frame, the direction of film transport, and standard frame speed. Film transport is assumed to be vertical unless otherwise noted, and standard frame speed is assumed to be 24 frames per second unless the film is otherwise noted or has no standard. Silent film has no standard speed; many amateur formats have several common speeds, but no standard.
Negative lenses indicates whether spherical (normal) or anamorphic lenses are used on the original camera negative, and if anamorphic lenses, what anamorphic power is used.
Projection gauge is the film gauge (width) used for the release print.
Projection aspect ratio is the image ratio determined by the ratio of the projection dimensions multiplied by the anamorphic power of the projection lenses (1× in the case of spherical lenses). This is also known as the intended theatrical aspect ratio.^[1]
Projection dimensions are the width and height of the projector aperture plate, and by extension the film frame area which is projected. The aperture plate always very slightly crops the frame.
Projection lenses indicates whether spherical (normal) or anamorphic lenses are used on the projector, and if anamorphic lenses, what anamorphic power is used.

Formats are listed in chronological order and by release date in the case of multiple formats within one year, if this can be determined. Undated formats are listed at the bottom in alphabetical order.

Film formats

The table does not cover 3-D film systems or color film systems, nor is it well-suited to emphasize the differences between those systems.

Notes

^ a b c d e f Strictly speaking, aspect ratios for film are always expressed as the ratio of 1 and are formatted as x:y, e.g. 1.85:1. However, in the interest of formatting, the aspect ratios listed will assume the ratio of 1 and omit the :1 suffix.
^ Burns, R.W., Television: An International History of the Formative Years, p. 71, Institution of Electrical Engineers, 1991.
^ Scott, E. Kilburn, "The Career of L. A .A. Le Prince", Adventures in Cybersound. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
^ Hiller, John. "Film History for the Public: The First National Movie Machine Collection", Film History, v. 11, n. 3, p. 373. Indiana University Press, 1999.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 3.
^ a b c Sherlock, p. 40.
^ a b Hummel, p. 16.
^ Sherlock, p. 5-6.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 4.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 5.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 6.
^ Sherlock, p. 6-7.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 59.
^ a b c Hummel, p. 10.
^ Hart, Cinerama Specs.
^ Hart, CinemaScope Specs and Of Apertures and Aspect Ratios.
^ Hart, Ultra Panavision, p. 1.
^ a b Hart, VistaVision Specs.
^ Sherlock, p. 27.
^ a b Hart, SuperScope Specs.
^ Sherlock, p. 19-20.
^ a b Even after slowing down the frame rate from 30 to 24 frame/s, Todd AO productions retained the use of the same trade name on the 24 frame/s films. There is no difference between 24 frame/s Todd AO, Super Panavision, and what is otherwise referred to as standard 65/70 mm.
^ Hart, Todd A.O. Specs.
^ Hart, CinemaScope Specs.
^ Patrice-Hervé Pont, Jean Loup Princelle: 50 Ans de Caméras Françaises, Le Reve Édition, Ondreville-sur-Essonne, France, 2007, ISBN 2-9522521-3-0, page 107
^ Patrice-Hervé Pont, Jean Loup Princelle: 50 Ans de Caméras Françaises, Le Reve Édition, Ondreville-sur-Essonne, France, 2007, ISBN 2-9522521-3-0, --> page num 51
^ Patrice-Hervé Pont, Jean Loup Princelle: 50 Ans de Caméras Françaises, Le Reve Édition, Ondreville-sur-Essonne, France, 2007, ISBN 2-9522521-3-0, --> page num 59
^ a b c Hart, Technirama Specs.
^ Sherlock, p. 58.
^ Hart, Thrillarama
^ Hart, Ultra Panavision Specs.
^ Sherlock, p. 31.
^ Hummel, p. 13.
^ Sherlock, p. 11-12.
^ Hummel, p. 17.
^ Hart, Cinemiracle Specs.
^ Hart, The Smith-Carney System.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 19.
^ Fromm, Gerhard. "The Work of Jan Jacobsen", ..in 70 mm: The 70 mm Newsletter, Issue 57 (June 1999). Retrieved 2008-12-01.
^ Nilsen, Sarah Dawn. Projecting America: Films at the Brussels World's Fair of 1958, p. 96. University of Southern California Press, 2000.
^ Hart, Techniscope Specs.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 18.
^ Nystrom
^ "Film Gauges". Preservation Glossary. National Film and Sound Archive. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21.
^ Hart, CinemaScope, p. 6.
^ "Viewpoint Japan", The British Journal of Photography, December 3, 1965, p. 1050.
^ Sherlock, p. 17-18.
^ Clark, Paul. The Chinese Cultural Revolution: A History, p. 146. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
^ a b c Sherlock, p. 37.
^ Hummel, p. 18.
^ "Pik-A-Movie", British Kinematography Sound and Television, August 1973. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ Hummel, p. 18-19.
^ Hummel, p. 19.
^ Sherlock, p. 39
^ Giambarba, Paul. The Branding of Polaroid 1957–1977, Chapter 18, 2004-09-01. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ a b Aridi, Sal (July–December 2000). "Large Format Cinematography". Operating Cameraman. Archived from the original on 2008-06-29.
^ Hummel, p. 11.
^ Sherlock, p. 20
^ Piccolin, Lukas. "All-Around Cinema", in70mm.com, 2004-10-01. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ Vigeant, Phil. Technical schematic drawings of Max8 format, Pro8mm, 2005-11-09.
^ www.jelve.com. "Sleep Always lift article". www.friendlyfirefilms.com.
^ Hummel, p. 20.
^ "Upcoming Re-release of Vertigo", Los Angeles Times, 1996-06-16. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ Lobban, Grant. "Widescreen and 3D Formats Wallchart", BKSTS. [year unknown]
^ Schwartzberg, Schlomo. "IMAX: Oscar nominated Canadian company on the leading edge of technology" Archived 2009-02-15 at the Wayback Machine, Performing Arts and Entertainment in Canada, Spring 1993. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ Katz, Stephen Douglas. Film Directing Shot by Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen, p. 330. Michael Wiese Productions, 1991.
^ Naimark, "Giant Rectangular Screens".
^ Naimark, "Cylindrical Screens".
^ Storaro, Vittorio. Storaro's notes on Univision, date unknown. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
^ a b Hindes, Andrew. Sticking with 35mm, Variety, 1999-04-19. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
^ Weisgerber, Robert. Super Dimension 70: New 70 mm Process Demonstrated, in70mm.com, Issue 63 (March 2001). Retrieved 2008-05-17.
^ Lobban, Grant. "Film Gauges and Soundtracks Wallchart", BKSTS. [year unknown]
^ Motion Master^{[dead link]}, Screen Digest, October 1, 1995. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
^ Nystrom, sidebar.
^ Kimble, Greg. "This Is Cinerama!": Cinerama's 50th Anniversary, part 4 Archived 2008-04-01 at the Wayback Machine, in70mm.com, 2002-06-10. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
^ a b c d Sherlock, p. 58

References

Carr, Robert E. and Hayes, R. M., Wide Screen Movies. A History and Filmography of Wide Gauge Filmmaking. Mc Farland & Company, 1988.
Hart, Martin. American Widescreen Museum, 1996–2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
Herbert, Stephen and Luke McKernan, eds. Who's Who of Victorian Cinema, 1996–2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Hummel, Rob (editor). American Cinematographer Manual, 8th edition. Hollywood: ASC Press, 2001.
Naimark, Michael. Expo '92 Seville, Presence, Vol. 1, No. 3. MIT Press, Summer 1992. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Nystrom, J.E. History of sub-35mm Film Formats and Cameras, 1998–2001. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Sherlock, Daniel J. "Wide Screen Movies" Corrections, 1994–2004. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.

List of motion picture film formats

Legend

Film formats

See also

Notes

References

Further reading