A recent 65mm Production

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The 70mm Newsletter

Written by: James Tavella, Producer

Date: 21 May 2004

The "System 65" on a 30-foot Technocrane with the director, Bruce Sears, dictating a shot.

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I just recently came across your newsletter website and am appreciative to see such dedication for Large Format cinema. My name is James Tavella. I produced a 65mm multi-camera shoot last summer. A bold step, but one the production team and my Director partner, Bruce Sears, was willing to undertake in a joint cooperation with Kodak and Panavision. The fantastic 40-person crew, under the advisement of 65mm specialist James Dixon, accomplished a difficult task of shooting the music presentation. Don Earl, who was a welcomed guest, watched with intrigue and shared many historical stories and valued insights on the equipment. The film was processed at CFI labs. The shoot was published in the January 2004 edition of Modern drummer magazine.

Further in 70mm reading:

In depth article

Internet link:

The 2nd System 65 on Dolly.

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My personal love for large format photography is something I’ve always shared with such films as “Ben Hur” and “Lawrence of Arabia”. But my partner Bruce Sears and my own endeavor into carefully learning and working with large format photography began after seeing IMAX works like “Amazon” and “Everest”, and also the 70mm production of Kenneth Branagh’s “Hamlet”.

Bruce and myself are currently in the process of cutting the behind-the-scenes video footage. Would you be interested in hearing more about our production?

Thank you for your time.

D.P. Neil Moore following the steadicam operator who is flying the pellical handheld 65 which has been around since the 1950's.

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26. maj 2004

Dear Thomas,

Thank you for your encouraging response on our 65mm production. I will be assembling the package of materials and details you have requested for your review. The Director and myself are still cutting of the behind the scenes footage which alone is exciting to watch. Unfortunately I don t have a DVD for review as of yet since we are still prepping to cut and mix the music for the footage.

I went ahead and attached a couple of photos (of the shoot) for your review and feedback. I will keep in touch and let you know how things are progressing. Once again, thank you.

Sincerely,
James F Tavella

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Updated 20-09-08