Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/760821
DGA QUARTERLY 25 PHOTOS: COURTESY OF LYTRO WHAT THEY MEAN: Filmmakers can use this mountain of picture information in post to manipulate frame rate, aperture, focal length, focus, 3D depth and more. Depth information can be used in back- ground replacement, obviating the need for blue- or green- screen shoots. BY THE NUMBERS: The Lytro prototype captures 755 RAW Megapixels at up to 300 frames per second, with up to 16 stops of dynamic range. The ple- noptic sensor sees objects from multiple points of view and cre- ates a holographic digital model of the scene. IN PRACTICE: Director Robert Stromberg made a short film titled Life to explore the Lytro camera's potential. "What we were able to achieve is what I think the future of filmmaking will look like," he says. "Lytro opens up a new set of creative tools. It allows storytellers to deliver a narrative, but with a spectrum of options when the shoot is over. Over time, the camera will be re- duced in size. Once you're able to put it on a Technocrane or a tra- ditional dolly, it should smoothly sync into Hollywood productions. Storytelling has always been con- sistent. We are finding new ways to visualize these stories." » LYTRO CINEMA LIGHT FIELD CAMERA Although the Lytro is quite cumbersome, a sleeker version is expected to "smoothly sync into Hollywood productions," says director Stromberg. "We see technology constantly changing and advancing very quickly, with cross-pollination of several new fields. Lytro's powerful technology will help storytellers create cinematic ex- periences. What they're doing is fantastic, and a short time away from becoming commercial." — R O B E R T S T R O M B E R G TA K E AWAY FOCUS