Modern Streamed Films Spark Debate over Darkness
A growing chapter in digital viewing involves the discussion about the dark appearance of many streamed films. The conversation is feasible thanks to the displeasure expressed by viewers of particular films. For instance, ‘Immaculate’, a horror film produced by Neon, was targeted for its seemingly inadequate lighting. However, the director insists this was not a deliberate effort to darken the visuals.
Filmmakers Lament Lack of Control Over Compression Specifications
Michael Mohan, the director of ‘Immaculate’, has expressed his disappointment stating, “This was absolutely not done intentionally. We have no control over the compression specs of each platform. It’s a real issue that truly bums me out.” Resultantly, the director conceded that iTunes seemed to provide a closer representation to their intended brightness.
William Brent Bell, another horror filmmaker, has echoed Mohan’s sentiments. During the release of ‘Orphan First Kill’, he also experienced similar complications regarding the visual output across various streaming platforms.
The Influence of Hollywood’s Darkening Trend
The issue goes beyond ill settings and technical mishaps; it involves a conscious decision in cinema. Hollywood has recently developed a soft spot for darker aesthetics. Consequently, films are increasingly producing specialized dark visuals, optimal for a contemporary Dolby Theater or a well-calibrated 4K TV viewing.
Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’, serves as a relevant example. Given that the film was substantially dark, distributors were forced to slightly illuminate virtually every still from the movie. In contrast to the IMAX experience, viewers attending regular cinemas may have had a less satisfying viewing.
The Dissociation Between Exhibition Standards and Screen Calibration
Film projection and digital projection standards from different eras do not quite align, which is another factor contributing to this issue. Past films employed consistent standards that accommodated a wide spectrum of viewing setups. This consistency seems to be wavering as digital cinema advances, leading to visuals getting lost in translation on smaller, less favourable screens.
Home Viewing and Screening Adjustments
To derive the best viewing experience from home, proper screen calibration can be fairly helpful though it demands some effort. The degree of investment may prompt an understanding that it could be difficult for a regular home TV and streaming setup to handle the intricate nuances of significantly dark films.
Are Our Viewing Devices Compliant with Dark Films?
Repetitive issues with dark films like ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Severance’ suggest an overlap of the industry and viewing technology needing to evolve. Until we perfect a balance between advancements in film aesthetics and viewing device capabilities, viewers must continue adjusting settings and would possibly need to squint at screens.
Today, film independence and growth come hand in hand with streaming platforms. However, the balance hinges on the capability of these platforms to adjust to evolving trends in film aesthetics. Until then, the battle of brightness in movies continues.
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