Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Technical issues with Matrix Reloaded

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 05-19-2003, 11:07 AM:

This is a continuation of the discussions about the sound mix, framing, and whatever else comes up (started in Reviews).

Framing: I've seen Reloaded twice. Both times, the framing issue jumped out at me -- I wasn't looking for a problem because titles etc. were perfectly framed. Then all of a sudden there's a string of closeups where the eyes are at the very top of the screen -- most of the forehead is missing. My first thought was "this is some kind of Super35 transfer/framing error", especially since not all shots were framed that way.

Sound Mix: The SR-D mix at the first theatre (Cinemark 17) was very impressive. They had it cranked, and for once the subs were working. Very crisp, clear, directional, and visceral. The second theatre (Regal Cinema World 8) was almost dull and uninvolving by comparison. I think it was SR-D too but not positive. I have an email dialog going with Regal's northwest technical guru, hoping he will confirm that something was wrong. That Regal show was VERY disappointing soundwise. There was more bass coming from the adjacent theatre (also showing Reloaded) than there was in that one.

Lastly, has anyone confirmed yet that Reloaded is an SDDS-8 mix?

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 05-19-2003, 01:37 PM:

I agree that misframing in projection or in optical printing is a serious problem. But since "Matrix Reloaded" is a "scope" release, any misframing would be immediately obvious as visible framelines, or at least seeing the negative splices. The scope answer print would have been approved by the director and cinematographer, who would have rejected any mistakes made in printing.

Remember, composition is subjective. I agree with Brad that the character's eyes are often the focal point of any composition, and many compositions often follow the photographic "Rule of Thirds", where the most important part of the scene (e.g., the eyes) are located 1/3 ways in from each edge of the frame, even if it means cropping the tops of heads as you note in your review.

Composition and "Rule of Thirds":

http://www.silverlight.co.uk/tutorials/compose_expose/thirds.html

Kodak Composition Suggestions

http://7hcc.tripod.com/technical/composition/rothirds/rothirds.htm

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?78

Nature Photography

Of course I assume the theatre where you saw "Matrix Reloaded" was showing the full 2.39:1 aspect ratio (0.825 x 0.690 inches projectable image area) specified by standard SMPTE 195, and not a cropped image area.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 05-19-2003, 01:45 PM:

JP, that's what I was alluding to, that this was a scope print and there were no other signs of misframing. It could very well be a deliberate artistic decision, but it sure looked odd to me.

Did I forget to mention that Regal ran 2 flat ads for Matrix games (or some such thing) in scope? [Roll Eyes]

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 05-19-2003, 01:55 PM:

Sometimes odd framing is used to create a sense of disorientation or uneasiness in the audience.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 05-19-2003, 04:57 PM:

This "artistic" framing also causes the end result on DVD to REALLY look like it's "cutting off the top and bottom" in the widescreen edition. [Roll Eyes]

=TMP=

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 05-19-2003, 05:49 PM:

Not only the eyes, but do the opening titles and logos look missframed to anyone else?

Particularly the village roadshows logo. It is way to high on the screen! This was the case with it on 2 seperate prints, one of which i threaded, and i know was in frame.

Whats the deal? Lab mistakes on all of my prints?

Posted by Aldo Baez (Member # 790) on 05-19-2003, 10:44 PM:

I mentioned this in my review but yes the Warner and village logos are high for me.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 05-20-2003, 09:56 AM:

How high is "high?" I didn't notice any problems with either of our prints.

Posted by David Favel (Member # 1125) on 05-21-2003, 08:46 PM:

Off centre, I watched this at someone elses cinema & was tempted to rack down various times throughout the flick.

Posted by Aldo Baez (Member # 790) on 05-22-2003, 02:14 AM:

High enough to show a very visible black bar along the bottom of the screen

Posted by Darren Briggs (Member # 1071) on 05-23-2003, 04:03 AM:

Cant see any of the above problems on my print? The opening logos are bang in the middle of the screen.
Here in the U.K. we also have a warning on the front of the film about film piracy and warn people if they video tape the film they will be in serious trouble if caught!
The same warning was on the front of X2 here in the uk also.

Darren

Posted by Michael Brown (Member # 890) on 05-24-2003, 06:44 PM:

Just saw it.

The Village logo seemed a little high. But saying that, I would need to see it on another film to compare.

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 05-25-2003, 10:13 PM:

Has anyone playing 'Matrix:Reloaded' in analog having what seems to be the DTS timecode being picked up on the analog reader? I have received a call that this is happening on two different prints on two different machines, one of which has been recently A-chained. They say it occurs on either reel 4 or 5 (they aren't 100% sure which reel but it is one of the two) and doesn't happen before or after that reel.

-Aaron

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 05-27-2003, 09:20 AM:

If you have a reel where the DTS time code is being heard in the analog track, it's easy to check to be sure it was printed in the proper position. The centerline of the DTS timecode track should be 0.297 inches (7.54 mm) from the reference edge of the print, per standard SMPTE 115.

If any part of the timecode track is closer than 0.281 inches (7.14 mm) to the reference edge, you may hear it in the analog track.