Bleach Bypass - Is it getting old ?

Stonefield wrote on 4/11/2006, 11:53 PM
Just wanna throw this out....

Is the whole Bleach Bypass look ( which I think started with Saving Private Ryan ) getting a bit over done ?

I know that a lot of effects are often overused until they're yesterdays news. ( Bullet time, Morphing, etc ) But are we tired of seeing film/video that's overprocessed ala Inside Man, Domino, Man on Fire?

Personally I love the look or "movie looks" as it were, but I'm wondering if anyone else is tired of them. My only real complaint is with Speilberg's War Of The Worlds. I think they amped up the overprocessing and grain in that one too much.

What do you think ? You still wanna see more kinds of film processing emulation or ya ready to go back to the lush, nicely saturated colors of the films of yesterday ?

Stan

PS, here's a secret, one of the reasons I overprocess my footage is to hide the fact that I'm using a 1 chip video camera.....LOL. But you didn't hear that from me.

Comments

apit34356 wrote on 4/12/2006, 12:20 AM
Yes, it is, but that how trends go. the secret is to figure out the next trend is!

I have always enjoyed your work, but your secret is well known. Many similar techniques are used for digital cameras to film where budgets do not permit Highend equipment. Plus you have posted pictures of you and your camera. Keep up the good work!
Grazie wrote on 4/12/2006, 12:30 AM
Excellent post Stoney!

I've mulled over this many a time.

You know there was once a time when the "Holy Grail" was that everything was in focus. Yes, a wide full view of the whole frame in focus. But now . . we have much expertise making shallow DoF to accentuate OR soften and concentrate on a response of an actor - I make this "oblique" point 'cos tastes and technologies change. But what DOESN'T change is the need to keep bank balances full and investors happy with the financial dividends created from and by creative film makers. Cynical? Nope .. it is reality. No FX here!

I'm such small fry and sooooo low in the pecking order or filmic/video food-chain that I can, flea-like, capitalise on that which IS/Has become the vernacular.

So do my soft-corp vids use a kinda P-Ryan look? You betcha! Why? 'cos the clients have either a conscious or subconscious "acquired" visual-dictionary. For me to ignore this would be silly!

However a little CAN go a long way. Sometimes even 3 to 10 seconds of a CSI-type fx will nail it for a client. See?

So, getting back on track, "old-hat" is that which is done to death, and sometimes for too long - less, definitely in this case, can oft be more!!

Great Post "O' Wise Stoney Zen-Master".

Grazie

farss wrote on 4/12/2006, 3:11 AM
Does it add or subtract from the work. Is it being done for good reason or just so you can be another fashion victim?

In the case of your work the clients come because they like what they see. But I think it pays to have more than one 'look', there's many ways that the female form can be enhanced visually, if I can be allowed a criticism of some of your work I felt some of the ladies looked like they were too far outside their comfort zone. I know that can be a real hard call, if they want to look like they're sizzling hot like their best friend when you know alluring or simmering would suit them more.

Bob.
Patryk Rebisz wrote on 4/12/2006, 3:36 AM
I think it was " Three Kings" rather then "saving Privaty Ryan" that used the looks so extensively that everyone else rped them.
SimonW wrote on 4/12/2006, 8:24 AM
The look that you use depends on the project. Really I prefer things like Music videos, stylish promo spots etc to use 'looks'.

When doing dramatic stuff the only thing I really play with are the curves. The exception being The Silencer which needed some quite hefty colour correction in places.

Not all films go through a DI process. Much of the look is obtained by way of lighting and perhaps with some filters, with any extra processing adding to the look.
busterkeaton wrote on 4/12/2006, 11:27 AM
Even films that don't do a full UI are color timed at the lab. You can really tweak the look here.
winrockpost wrote on 4/12/2006, 12:47 PM
I believe an effect ,such as bleach bypass, needs a reason to be used, just like Black and white , grainy , blown colors, whatever. Is it getting old ? Who knows, how about shine , I was sick of seeing that about 2 or 3 years ago,
funny thing though , I do use it on occasion.