Sony FX3 + Atomos Ninja Deliver ProRes for the IMAX

In this article by YM Cinema, we're diving deep into the technical nitty-gritty of how the Sony FX3 was geared up for 'The Creator' shoot. Teevarit Pirompapachoke, the DIT and data wrangler extraordinaire of the Thailand unit, is taking us on a journey behind the scenes. He's sharing some incredible rare photos and offering down-to-earth explanations about the challenges they faced. Plus, you'll get the inside scoop on how the FX3 became the star of the show, being the main setup on this mega-budget project. It's a tale of technical wizardry and creativity in action!

They've written a bunch of articles about 'The Creator,' a jaw-dropping mega-budget sci-fi action flick that took on the challenge of being shot with a prosumer camera – the Sony FX3. While it's not the first time that a remarkable action movie has embraced affordable consumer cameras (remember 'Act of Valor' shot on the Canon 5D Mark II by the incredible Shane Hurlbut ASC and even gracing IMAX screens?), there's an irresistible curiosity about how it all came together.

Now, everyone knows the perks of using small and simple cameras, but they're typically not tailor-made for high-end cinematic productions demanding a big crew. Even though the FX3 carries the title of a 'cinema camera' and proudly belongs to Sony's Cinema Line, it grapples with its own set of limitations, particularly when it comes to major screen productions. So, they got in touch with Teevarit Pirompapachoke, the DIT and data wrangler in the Thailand unit of 'The Creator,' to shine a light on the nitty-gritty technical challenges. Below, Pirompapachoke breaks down the hurdles and processes the Thailand team navigated during 'The Creator' production (affectionately known as 'TRUE LOVE' by the Thailand crew).

“Since our main issue was keeping the cameras rolling continuously, Timecode was our best resort, simplifying our trials. The Script Supervisor and Continuity Team also needed to rely on the timecode because the monitors didn’t provide enough information on the screen. We used Atomos Ultrasync for transmitting and syncing Timecode to all the Atomos devices, then synced the record with the FX3. Sony FX3 was also chosen for backup files for the post-production team, just in case something unexpected happened to the ProRes RAW. An Audio Timecode was added by connecting Tentacles to the FX3 to match all the metadata. During the first week of preparation, all the files were displeasingly overlapped at 23.98 FPS, despite our precise observation along with the Fotokam team. We had to examine and calculate it frame-by-frame (Hours:Minutes:Seconds: Frame) to find the cause of the overlap”.

“Since Atomos isn’t compatible with a 2.76:1 frame line and no customizable software like ARRI, we had to come up with a Frame Chart to see the frame we were going to use. Although it took us days to complete, we used tapes to section off Atomos into our desired frame, and we could customize other SmallHD monitors.  After that, we manually set up (x7) Sony FX3s and (x8) Atomos to be identical for the main and backup cams, along with countless GoPros and Drones that went through all the tests together with the FX3”.

Pairing the Sony FX3 with an Atomos Ninja recorder can truly elevate your filmmaking experience. It's all about taking your creative endeavors to the next level. The Atomos Ninja recorders are well-known for their exceptional external recording capabilities, and they offer several fantastic advantages. Imagine getting higher-quality recordings, with richer details and more flexibility during post-production. You'll have access to a variety of recording options, like ProRes and DNx codecs, which can be a game-changer for your post-production workflow. Plus, you'll enjoy longer recording times, so you won't have to constantly swap out storage media. The icing on the cake? Atomos recorders provide nifty features like focus peaking and waveform monitoring for top-notch image quality. While there might be some additional costs and considerations, the benefits of pairing an Atomos Ninja with your Sony FX3 are well worth it. It's like giving your filmmaking journey a turbo boost towards excellence!

Read the full article from YM Cinema HERE