CANON HD LENS ENABLES INDIE
FILMMAKER TO CAPTURE HER
UNIQUE CINEMATIC VISION
Canon Performance, Features, and
Respect All Contribute to Successful Production
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 18, 2005—Mysterious
deaths, an alien cult, and faded celebrities all collide
in Freezerburn, a sophisticated and witty dark comedy
directed and produced by independent filmmaker Melissa
Balin. The film includes a full spectrum of story
elements, and in order to capture them all Balin chose
Canon’s HJ11x4.7B KLL-SC High Definition-Electronic
Cinematography lens for her directorial debut. The
film was the first feature to utilize the Grass Valley
Viper camera in FilmStream mode for selected shots
and the Sony CineAlta for the remainder of the picture.
“The Canon lens gave us an incredible
amount of flexibility,” Balin said, explaining
how she used the HJ11x4.7B KLL-SC to set the tone
of the film. “It gave us a lot of freedom, knowing
that we could create an ambiance and different moods.
For example, it was a very important theme of the
film to shoot wide. We had a large cast, so there
were a lot of very sweeping scenes with an exceptional
amount of people in them. We used the full range of
the lens, from the low end of 4.7mm all the way up
to 52mm on days when we didn’t have enough extras.
We really worked that lens to achieve Freezerburn’s
unique look. The lens’ deep-focus capabilities
were instrumental to communicating the film’s
story.”
Philip Schwartz, a veteran director
of photography who shot Freezerburn, agrees that the
HJ11x4.7B KLL-SC was best for capturing Balin’s
cinematic vision. “I wanted a wide feel to almost
everything in the film, so that people could always
be seen in their environments rather than being isolated
from them," Schwartz explained. "I liked
the focal length range of the lens and the lens markings,
which made my assistant cameraman’s job easier.
I particularly liked the fact that the lens doesn’t
breathe when you pull focus."
The HJ11x4.7B KLL-SC High Definition-Electronic
Cinematography (HD-EC) zoom lens utilizes Canon's
exclusive Power Optical System, which incorporates
the "X-Element," a unique optical technology
that provides exceptional performance and enhanced
specifications. This technology includes Canon's special
Hi-UD (High Index, Ultra Low Dispersion) glass, Fluorite,
and special HD coatings, which contribute to the lens'
outstanding overall optical performance. As noted
by Schwartz, the HJ11x4.7B minimizes focus breathing.
And with a maximum relative photometric aperture of
T 2.1 the lens is among the most sensitive in the
electronic cinematography field.
All Canon HD-EC lenses have traditional
film-style feel and operation. Zoom, focus, and iris
indications are engraved with dual large luminous
scales. Gear rings are compatible with studio-focus
rings, manual fluid-zoom drives, and motorized control
systems. All distance markings are measured in feet.
Balin reports that the Canon HJ11x4.7B
KLL-SC lens worked flawlessly throughout Freezerburn’s
21-day production schedule and provided the performance
necessary to make her story come alive. She also enjoyed
working with Canon. “I am an independent filmmaker
and I find that a lot of companies are dismissive
if you’re not coming to them with big bucks,"
she said. "I’ve always felt that Canon
was concerned with me as an investment in the future,
as opposed to some of the other companies that are
not interested in you until you’re successful."
“From the perspective of women
having opportunities in the business, I don’t
think it is as hard today as it was for previous generations,
but I do feel that difficulties can arise when it
comes to choosing technology,” Balin explained.
“I’ve been surprised that while I am the
decision maker they [equipment providers] do not want
to talk to me.”
With Canon, however, Balin felt she
had an equal opportunity. “I will always choose
a company that I feel respects me and my talent. In
this case with the HJ11, Canon not only offered the
best lens, but believed in my abilities and supported
my vision.”
About Freezerburn: A sophisticated and
witty dark comedy, Freezerburn features a cast including
Robert Hays, Dick Van Patten, Hal Linden, David Faustino,
Rachel Hunter, and Drena De Niro. The movie focuses
on the twentieth anniversary reunion of a fictional
television show whose star died under mysterious circumstances.
For more information go to www.freezerburnthemovie.com.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business,
and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed
as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America
and is rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top
100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ)
is a top patent holder of technology, ranking third
overall in the U.S. in 2004, with global revenues
of $33.3 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
