Filmmakers Jim Lounsbury & Behren Schulz from Eponine Films, have teamed up with Nikon to capture their debut film, Love is Now. The collaboration is part of an exciting venture that explores the possibility of shooting a feature film entirely on Nikon cameras and NIKKOR lenses, and is currently in production.
In 2013 DSLR cameras are no strangers to the world of cinematography. The continual improvements in the technology mean that every budding filmmaker and their dog now have the potential to shoot high quality short films. More and more online and TV commercials are being shot with DSLR cameras as well, and for a fraction of the price.
Yet despite this apparent takeover in the commercial and short film arenas, the jump up to feature film is still a relatively daunting one. The continual shooting due to the increase in footage required, suddenly means the little things like battery life, prevention of overheating (part of Love is Now will be shot in the harsh desert heat of the Australian outback), and data output speeds all come into play more so than on a short film or 30 second TVC.
The ergonomics of the camera need to be comfortable as well – something the Nikon and Eponine Films team has been experimenting in preproduction:
“We're reaping the benefits of all the filmmakers out there who have been bolting, strapping, tweaking and pushing their DSLR gear to its extreme, and now we have a number of tools, rigs and support technologies that make it easier than ever to operate these cameras over a sustained period of time. A camera needs to be comfortable to operate if you're going to keep a consistent aesthetic over five or six weeks of production. But at the end of the day, the Nikon gear we plan to use is similar to the gear you can buy off the shelf at your local camera store.” (Behren Schulz, producer).
Challenges aside, there is no doubt that, in an industry constantly driven by technological and artistic innovation, the idea of an entire film being shot on DSLR cameras is an exciting one, and yields many advantages. Director Jim Lounsbury cites the heightened intimacy with the actors as an example:
“As a director, you are always looking for ways to decrease the impact of the filmmaking process on the authentic interaction between actors, because many times it is like, “Let’s forget about these thirty people standing over here, and pretend we’re lying on a bed, revealing a secret about ourselves we haven’t shared with anyone”. If a Nikon camera approach can reduce that thirty to ten, or six, or even one, then it can make it easier to establish an intimate tone on set.”
Set within the world of photography, Love is Now has a cyclical narrative that brings a Kishotenketsu style story structure to the traditional romantic genre. As Lounsbury suggests, “It’s a love story with a twist”.
Although entirely scripted, the film is being developed in a visual style that Lounsbury believes, “will allow the actors to improvise and follow their instincts”. Lounsbury also hopes that capturing the film withphotographic cameras and lenses will “lend to the authenticity of what we [are] trying to do”.
Love is Now is slated for a 2014 cinematic release in Australia. Producer Behren Schulz says the team is planning to do, "some interesting things in the digital space that haven't really been done before, at least to our knowledge, and not in Australia”.
Nikon encourages you to join them on the journey of the filmmaking process; from equipment testing; technical challenges; modifications for creative effects and post-production; right through to the release on the big screen. To follow them, visit www.mynikonlife.com.au/loveisnowfilm and join the conversation.