Move over film, here comes digital - TeluguPeople.com News

What is special about Baahubali in terms of technical aspects? Well, this is the first movie which would be completely filmed by SS Rajamouli using a digital camera.

Yes, the star director who had experimented with digital for a few shots in Eega was sufficiently impressed with the output to now completely bank on the new technology for his magnum opus Baahubali.

The movie is tipped to be the highest budgeted film in Tollywood ever and the choice of technology, an 'Arri Alexa XT' is a pointer to the film-maker's confidence in it.

More importantly, it marks the first time that a prominent film-maker has departed from the use of conventional equipment for cinematography. This heralds the shift in mindset of even big ticket films to go the digital way, in future.

While small films in Tollywood have already chosen the digital route, big ticket films have for various reasons shied away from the technology. Is it because they are not sure of the quality of output?

'No!' says cinematographer, Firoz Khan who is currently working for the Tollywood movie, Galata. 'Big budget movies in Tollywood usually have experienced cameramen who have worked with only film cameras. As such they feel comfortable with film cameras and even the unit gives in to their preference, as budget is not an issue.

Firoz further adds, 'Except for the contrast factor, there is no specific advantage accruing to the movie made on film. With evolving technology and depending on the kind of model one goes in for in digital, even this would be ironed out in the near future.'

Indeed, if one were to look at the models currently in vogue in Tollywood, the industry has indeed come a long way. From the basic 5D version which was used for Ram Gopal Varma's Dongala Mutha and Maruthi's Ee Rojullo to the current Arri Alexa XT used for Baahubali, it is clear that digital is here to stay.

The recent hit Antaka Mundu Aa Taravata was filmed on Red One and the same model was used for Ram Gopal Varma's Rakhta Charitra as well.

Rent of digital cameras in the industry starts from Rs 3,500 per day for a basic 5D model (body only) and a Red model starts from around Rs 12,000 a day. This is in huge contrast to the Rs 26,000 per day which is the minimum going price for a film camera.

The quality of output is more or less the same. Also visual effects and graphics have become the order of the day and it is far more convenient for film-makers to rely on digital for the same, as these cameras are highly flexible. This is the primary reason behind Rajamouli's decision as Baahubali is expected to have a lot of graphics and visual effects (VFX) work.

So what about those people and technicians in the industry who have relied on film cameras for decades for a livelihood? 'Change is the only constant. Either one has to adapt or be left behind in today's day and age.

The situation is a bit similar to the one when computers arrived in the time of typewriters. Kodak has shut down shop in Andhra as there are no takers for film cameras.

Even film processing workers in many studios have been laid off,' says director Phani Prakash who is currently filming Alibaba Okkade Donga. By the way he is using a Red Epic (digital) for the movie.