Anamorphic
Definition
Anamorphic refers to a type of lens (and the filmmaking format associated with it) that uses a special optical element to squeeze a wide image horizontally onto a standard film frame or sensor, which is then "unsqueezed" during projection or post-production to produce a very wide aspect ratio image (typically 2.39:1). Anamorphic lenses produce a distinctive visual character, including horizontal lens flares (rather than the circular flares produced by spherical lenses), a characteristic "oval bokeh" (the out-of-focus areas have an oval rather than circular shape), and a slight barrel distortion. Many filmmakers prize the anamorphic look for its cinematic quality.
Contextual Usage
The DP proposes shooting on anamorphic lenses: "I want to shoot this film in the anamorphic format. The 2.39:1 aspect ratio will give us a very cinematic, widescreen look, and the anamorphic character — the lens flares, the oval bokeh, the slight distortion — will give the image a quality that you simply can't replicate with a spherical lens. It's a more expensive and technically demanding format, but I think it's the right choice for this story." ---
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Color grading and finishing is the final visual polish of the image — the stage at which the raw footage is transformed into the rich, cinematic image that the audience will ultimately see. A skilled ...
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