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Focus on Film

The Focus On series turns its attention to Shooting on Film, exploring how cameras, lenses, lighting set-ups and more combine with celluloid to produce stunning imagery on screen.

Film is experiencing a revival as cinematographers working across projects of varying budgets and genres increasingly choose celluloid to realise their creative visions and tell captivating stories. Instead of purely being rooted in nostalgia, the resurgence is driven by film’s unique discipline, texture and process. This free, extensive guide explains everything you need to know.

All
  • All
  • Introduction
  • Film stock
  • Sponsored features
  • 16mm
  • Preservation and restoration
  • Training
  • Working with a lab
  • Sustainability
  • Virtual production
  • Lighting
  • Cameras
  • Lens choice
A person holds a clapperboard and colour card in a dimly lit film set with stone walls. Another person stands in the background near a table and covered items. Various equipment is scattered in the foreground.

Film stock

Film stock
A person wearing white gloves examines photographic film negatives on a light table using a magnifying glass, carefully checking the illuminated strips for preservation. Their face is partially visible as they work to protect these historical images.

Restoration and preservation

Preservation and restoration
A close-up of a man's face with wet skin, wide blue eyes, and a slightly open mouth, looking upwards. The background is dark and out of focus, with a shadowy figure and some small lights visible.

Lighting

Lighting
Two people stand behind a large Panavision 65 film camera on a film set, both looking at the equipment; one is wearing glasses, a beige cap, and dungarees. They appear focused on discussing film formats and camera support.

Service and support across film formats 

Sponsored features
Three people stand and talk in the middle of a dimly lit, empty lab corridor, light streaming in through high windows on the right. The scene is shadowy, and the figures are partially silhouetted, suggesting a quiet moment of lab collaboration.

Working with a lab

Working with a lab
A person wearing a black hooded jacket operates a professional video camera outdoors in a snowy, forested area, with blurred trees and hills in the background.

16mm

16mm
Three crew members on a film set operate a camera; one in yellow gloves, another in a cap and glasses, and a third dressed in black watch closely—all working together amid wood panelling, emphasising sustainability behind the scenes.

Sustainability

Sustainability
A woman looking sad in a denim jacket

Push and pull processing

Film stock
A person stands smiling next to a large professional video camera mounted on a track in front of a weathered wall with faded yellow text. The individual wears a bucket hat, T-shirt, and shorts.

Cameras

Cameras
A person adjusts knobs and controls on a professional audio or video editing console in a dimly lit film lab, with illuminated buttons and screens visible—capturing the essence of film development.

Film Lab 2.0 

Sponsored features
A man in a dark jacket stands indoors on a dimly lit film set, looking at a large camera rig wrapped in plastic. Wooden walls, a window, and fabric-wrapped objects are visible in the background.

Lens choice

Lens choice
A group of people stand around a professional film camera outdoors. One person adjusts the camera, whilst others observe or discuss, suggesting a collaborative filming or production setting.

Training

Training
A film crew works on a set with a silver car surrounded by lighting equipment, stands, and people. Large diffusers and cables are visible, highlighting a controlled indoor filming environment that may incorporate virtual production techniques.

Virtual production

Virtual production
A woman holds a small camera close to an older woman with her eyes closed. Film equipment and a monitor are visible in the foreground, capturing the positives in the negative moments of this indoor scene.

The positives in the negative

Introduction

Lighting News

Partners