alt= class=wp-image-10906 data-lazy-srcset=https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_1.jpg 960w, https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_1-768x432.jpg 768w data-lazy-sizes=(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px data-lazy-src=/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_1.jpg /> For some, celluloid film brings back memories of the black-and-white films and silent movies of a different era. But did you know that top-grossing feature films were exclusively shot on celluloid until the early 2000s?
Even now, hit films like these were filmed on traditional film stock, or mixed film formats.
Jurassic World Dominion (2022), directed by Colin Trevorrow
Death On The Nile (2022), directed by Kenneth Branagh
Don't Look Up (2021), directed by Adam McKay
Eternals (2021), directed by Chlo Zhao
No Time To Die (2021), directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga
Wonder Woman 1985 (2020), directed by Patty Jenkins
Tenet (2020), directed by Christopher Nolan
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019), directed by Quentin Tarantino
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), directed by J.J. Abrams
Digital acquisition just surpassed celluloid film in the box office about 10 years ago, and it has dominated the big (and little) screen ever since. What prompted this swift transition to digital capture, and how do we keep the filmed-on-film tradition alive in the digital era?
We invited Sterling Sherrill to weigh in on the subject. Sherrill is currently directing KEEP FILM ALIVE, a documentary about celluloid film technology featuring interviews with key executives, filmmakers, and cinematographers on the importance of keeping traditional celluloid film available for filmmakers everywhere.
Here's what he says about celluloid film and the digitization of cinema.
alt= class=wp-image-10905 width=800 height=450 data-lazy-srcset=https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_2.jpg 960w, https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_2-768x432.jpg 768w data-lazy-sizes=(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px data-lazy-src=/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_2.jpg />Sterling Sherrill, director of the upcoming documentary, KEEP FILM ALIVE Celluloid Film Vs Digital Capture Let's get this question out of the way first: Is shooting on film better than digital capture?
Filmmakers choosing digital cameras do so for a host of reasons: familiarity, cost, convenience, workflow, etc. Yet, there is a thriving community in Hollywood and beyond that wholeheartedly supports celluloid film and the art it creates.
Proponents of film acquisition often speak of better resolutions, remaster capabilities, and movie preservation-since film can last hundreds of years, whereas digital formats are often phased out over time. In my opinion, it's the natural film grain present during capture and projection that sets film apart from digital. The random way the silver halide crystals float in the emulsion layer creates unlimited, unique pictures-that's the magic of film.
Some productions sought the best of both worlds, like Dune (2021)- shot on digital, transferred to film, then scanned back to digital. In this interesting article about the unorthodox decision, Dune cinematographer Greig Fraser, ACS, ASC, said: For this film it gave us something that film acquisition couldn't give us, and it also gave us something that digital acquisition couldn't give us.
We could argue the film vs. digital debate for days (as I'm sure has been extensively covered on Reddit). In the end, choosing to shoot on film or digital cinema cameras should be a creative decision for the director to make based on the desired look and feel of their production.
alt= class=wp-image-10907 data-lazy-srcset=https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_3.jpg 960w, https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_3-768x432.jpg 768w data-lazy-sizes=(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px data-lazy-src=/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_3.jpg /> The Rise of Digital Capture in Film Not too long ago, every television show, commercial, documentary, and feature film was shot on celluloid. Now, nearly everything we watch is captured digitally. How did we get here?
Here are some compounding factors that, in a few years' time, drove the filmmaking world to its tipping point.
Recession. The 2008 global financial crisis weighed down production budgets. With less money to spend on a production, the price-per-reel cost of filming on celluloid came under scrutiny, and many turned to the fixed-price digital alternative.
Threat of strike. Back before the SAG-AFTRA merger, there was a perceived threat that the Screen Actors Guild would go on strike. Filmmakers sought out talent from other labor unions, some of which had stipulations that required or recommended the use of digital film cameras. Even though the SAG strike never happened, many productions decided to go digital, just in case.
Cell phones. The growing popularity of mobile phones had a profound impact on the camera industry. As the general public walked around with cell phone cameras in their pocket, they no longer needed small film cameras. Film and camera sales plummeted, forcing many film manufacturers and labs to close their doors for good. The effects of this echoed across global filmmaking markets as film supply drastically decreased.
Bankruptcy. Kodak, the last remaining manufacturer o
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
alt= class=wp-image-10906 data-lazy-srcset=https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_1.jpg 960w, https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_1-768x432.jpg 768w data-lazy-sizes=(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px data-lazy-src=/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Celluloid-Film_1.jpg /> For some, celluloid film brings back memories of the black-and-white films and silent movies of a different era. But did you know that top-grossing feature films were exclusively shot on celluloid until the early 2000s? 
