"Neither of us could quite put our finger on it, but we both agreed there was something special" –Spider-Man: Brand New Day cinematographer talks shooting with a large-format camera, prototype lenses and comic book-inspired LUTs
The new Spider-Man film was shot on large-format cameras with customized lenses and a painstakingly crafted LUT inspired by the character's earliest appearances in the comics
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has grossed over $2.2 billion at the box office, and its distinctive visual style required careful consideration of cameras, lenses, and color grading. Director of photography Brett Pawlak was inspired by the vibrant reds and blues of Spider-Man's suit, which contrasted with deep blacks in the comics. Combining rich saturated colors with deep shadows became a core element of the film's aesthetic.
During camera testing, Pawlak and his team at post-production house Company 3 developed a LUT (Look Up Table) to protect the suit's colors while maintaining a contemporary film print curve. Customized lenses were also essential, as Pawlak sought a 'classic hybrid' look with high-performance glass. Panavision's Special Optics team modified Panaspeed lenses to work with the Alexa 265, resulting in a 65mm sensor that served as the perfect canvas for the film.
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