VICE And Virtues Of HD

(From The Los Angeles Times)

MIAMI VICE director MICHAEL MANN and his director of photography, DION BEEBE, knew the challenges they'd be facing when they decided to shoot the feature version of the classic 1980s TV series on high-definition video.

Two years ago, Mann and Beebe used high def to shoot COLLATERAL which gave the action-thriller set in nighttime Los Angeles a distinctly visceral look.

Beebe and co-cinematographer PAUL CAMERON received an OSCAR nomination for their work on that film.

Before the HD cameras rolled in Miami last year, Mann, Beebe and the technical staff spent months in pre-production.

"There's been a lot of debate about high def replacing film and being an easier choice for filmmakers," said the Australian-born cinematographer, who won the OSCAR this year for MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA. "But it's definitely not the easy choice."

Although he has now made his last two pictures in high definition, Mann says he hasn't abandoned film.

"I could very well do a movie I prefer to shoot on film,"
he said. "Shooting on film is simpler."

Vice And The Virtues Of HD

Kraig Bailey, thanks for the post.