Film Emulsion. Using Fotokem’s SHIFTai for film S1NGULAR

NEER’s Ryan McNeal of RKM Studios

SHIFTai is a dream for cinematographers and directors alike. Most of us grew up on film and became really passionate about the images shot on mediums like 35mm. Right now digital is the main resource for image acquisition. Some producers may not understand that shooting on film can actually be more aesthetically pleasing as well as financially achievable which makes it challenging when proposing the medium. It's exciting to have an option like this for colorists giving DP's more opportunities to dial in their desired look.

- Brent Mata, Founder of NEER

The filmic '70s look for The Batman was achieved by running the finished digital image through film, then scanning it back. An IP (interpositive film) and a bleach bypass were also used in this process.

For S1NGULAR, we knew we wanted to do film emulation. Ramon and I both had the creative vision for a 70s throwback retro, but still with a sci-fi transportive feel. We used the Shift AI process offered by Fotokem. This  technology was used for "The Batman,” which has been getting acclaim for its visual style. 

The service has been available just for a little while. So, we are on the cutting edge of experimenting with the medium. And, blending digital processes with analog to create a unique result.

The “Shift AI” process is a digital-film-digital transfer. Projects that have been digitally shot are projected onto film.  Then scanned back into a digital format. 

Essentially, it gives you all the benefits of shooting digitally. Lower cost, high dynamic range and detail preservation. But you also get the benefits of traditional analog film. Texture, authentic film curve, frame judder and film breath.

“We used the Shift AI process offered by Fotokem. This technology was used for ‘The Batman,’ which has been getting acclaim for its visual style.” 

Actors Fin Argus and Sean Ford in S1NGULAR by Ramon J. Goni

The result has been stunning.  The VFX was applied before the scanning process. This helped unify the image and make the VFX appear as a natural part of the image. 

“SHIFTai is a dream for cinematographers and directors alike.” - Brent Mata

We did a creative digital pre-grade to visualize the type of look we were aiming for, but the scan was done in log with just a basic technical color pass for balance.  After the scanning process, we did the final creative color grade. This was so we retain the most information. Also, we utilize the natural look of the film projection as a baseline to work off of.  

Here’s more from international award-winning colorist- Ryan K McNeal of RKM Studios