Kodak Introduces Two New VISION3 Films

New camera negative and intermediate film incorporate breakthroughs in high-tech emulsion science to deliver greater efficiencies and enhanced creative freedom; New VISION3 films demonstrate the company’s continued commitment to providing maximum image quality to visual storytellers and their audiences

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Kodak announced today the addition of two new films to its VISION3 family of motion picture products, sending another powerful message that its commitment to film is unwavering. The stock additions include a medium-speed, tungsten-balanced color negative camera film, and a color intermediate film optimized to work with digital postproduction technologies.

“These new VISION3 films are the tangible result of our ongoing commitment to filmmakers,” says Kim Snyder, president of the Entertainment Imaging Division, and vice president of Eastman Kodak Company. “They were designed based on our customers’ suggestions and with the goal of increasing creative freedom and efficiencies in production and postproduction. As filmmaking technology evolves, Kodak continues to lead the way, delivering the highest quality imaging systems and innovative products and services for visual storytellers.”

KODAK VISION3 5213/7213 is a 200-speed, tungsten balanced film. It features extended latitude, enabling cinematographers to record more details in highlights, and delivers finer grain for natural-looking images in the darkest areas. The emulsion is optimally designed for both controlled interiors and challenging high-contrast exteriors, and is available in all formats (65 mm, 35 mm, Super 16 and Super 8).

Cinematographers who have tested the film report that it records cleaner whites and deeper black tones, offers enhanced latitude, and provides richer color saturation and natural skin tones.

“Kodak’s new VISION3 200T 5213 stock is a significant improvement over the already excellent VISION2 5217,” says Michael Goi, ASC (The Mentalist, My Name is Earl), who tested the film. Goi is also president of the American Society of Cinematographers. “Reds in skin tones have a noticeably more natural balance and the high resolution results in texture you feel you can almost touch.”

“This new film has an even finer grain structure with deeper black tones and richer color saturation, especially in the reds and flesh tones,” adds David Mullen, ASC (Jennifer’s Body, Akeelah and the Bee), who also tested the film. “The images were slightly sharper … and more consistent in over-exposed areas. The white tones were cleaner after the film was scanned and converted to digital files. There is also a tighter grain structure … especially when it is used for daylight exterior scenes.”

KODAK VISION3 Color Digital Intermediate Film 5254/2254 is designed for use with contemporary film recorders – both laser recorders and numerous CRT recorders that are still widely used in the marketplace. The imaging characteristics of this new intermediate film enhance the speed and efficiency of DI postproduction while rendering noticeably sharper images that more faithfully represent the intentions of filmmakers.

KODAK VISION3 technology, introduced in November 2007, offers increased exposure latitude and color detail with noticeably reduced grain, especially in the brightest highlights and darkest shadows. The product line also produces cleaner film-to-digital transfers for postproduction.

The new 5213/7213 stock joins the highly acclaimed KODAK VISION3 500T 5219/7219 and 250D 5207/7207 camera negative films. The new intermediate film provides an improved bridge between KODAK negative films and KODAK print films.

“By capturing the highest possible amount of image information, far more than any digital format, the KODAK VISION3 family of films gives the filmmaking community incomparable flexibility throughout the motion picture chain,” Snyder adds. “That translates directly to time and cost efficiencies on set and in post, and greater creative control no matter what workflow is followed.

“Our customers demand the very highest image quality, and these new Kodak films help them achieve their creative visions better than any other image capture medium today,” says Snyder. “Our actions continue to demonstrate that Kodak remains committed to motion picture film, with more advances on the way.”
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About Kodak’s Entertainment Imaging

Kodak’s Entertainment Imaging Division is the world-class leader in providing film, digital and hybrid motion imaging products, services, and technology for the television, feature film, commercial, music video, documentary and exhibition industries. For more information, visit www.kodak.com/go/motion, or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KodakMotionPictureFilm.

Multimedia Elements:

* Kodak film demo online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFMw_75Mqyo

Editor’s note: Photos and additional technical information on each of the new films is available upon request, including a Q&A with the product scientists and engineers involved in the development of the films, as well as a Q&A with Kodak cinematographer Chris Hart who shot the 5213/7213 film demo.