
Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures' Saw X Graded with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton December 4, 2023
0 Comments
Pocket Cinema Camera 6K also used to capture the horror film's gruesome traps.
Blackmagic Design today announced that Saw X, the hit horror film from Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures, was graded by Kevin Camilleri of Toronto based Urban Post Production with DaVinci Resolve Studio editing, color grading, visual effects (VFX) and audio post production software. DP Nick Matthews also used a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K digital film camera for select scenes on the tenth and latest installment of the critically acclaimed horror franchise. The film, now in release, has taken in more than $100 million worldwide.
In the latest film in the billion dollar franchise, John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most chilling installment of the Saw franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw's most personal game. Set between the events of Saw and Saw II, a sick and desperate Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer, only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, Kramer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through a series of ingenious and terrifying traps. The film is directed by Kevin Greutert, written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg, and produced by Oren Koules and Mark Burg.
During production, Matthews used the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K to shoot select visuals for the film's terrifying traps, as well as to capture additional camera angles for action scenes. The Pocket Cinema Camera 6K was used to capture some of the most iconic visuals of the film, as it played a crucial part in several of Jigsaw's gruesome games. It was rigged like a SnorriCam to John Kramer during the blood boarding trap that placed the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K right into a waterfall of blood. I also used it to capture a number of the visuals for the film's classic stutter frames, especially in the brain surgery trap and bone marrow trap. This meant shooting at 6 frames per second and 270 degree shutter while simultaneously lens whacking' where I'd play with removing the lens from the mount and remounting it to create light leaks similar to film roll outs, Matthews said.
In post, Camilleri had a unique challenge for the film, as it had to look cohesive with the style of the original two films, which were shot almost two decades ago. This film was interesting because it had such a distinct look built in from Saw' and Saw II' that we had to match. We had to go back almost 20 years and examine how the first two movies looked and how they were put together, he explained. Obviously, back then they shot on film, so the movies had a very unique grain structure. We wanted to emulate some of that to make it feel like Saw X' was part of that earlier history of the Saw' franchise. We relied heavily on DaVinci Resolve's film grain tools to accomplish this. It's a really robust toolset that allowed us to dial in the texture and grain size, while controlling whether it affected the luminance or chroma.
December 1, 2023Da Vinci's Legacy Unveiled with DaVinci Resolve Studio in Stop Motion feature film The InventorBlackmagic Design today announced that The Inventor, a stop motion feature film that
November 30, 2023Breadbin Productions Evolves with Ultimatte 12 HD for Virtual ProductionBlackmagic Design today announced that Breadbin Productions has transformed its green screen
Thanks to the tools, we were able to be very specific and go beyond a generic film look, which helped give the project more dimension and depth, Camilleri continued. Sometimes in this digital world, we lose some of the nuances that film gave us, like certain patterns and the noise and grains that made it feel special. Having the ability to dial that back in and make it feel natural was cool, and it really helped make Saw X' look like it fits within the franchise.
Using DaVinci Resolve Studio and a DaVinci Resolve Mini Panel, Camilleri also helped deage some of the characters that were supposed to be ageless from the original film. We didn't want to do an elaborate digital deaging process but just subtly make a few tweaks to help bridge the almost twenty year gap between the films, Camilleri explained. Using some simple adjustments in Resolve, I controlled the sharpness in the mid tones to give more of a natural softness to skin tones.
In addition to the color grade, Urban Post Production used DaVinci Resolve Studio for the film's online editing, with Camilleri noting that its intuitive end to end approach for post production made it easy to drop in the film's VFX sequences, keep timelines organized, and handle the final renders and outputs for the P3 theatrical, HDR, and Rec709 versions. With less than two weeks to complete the project's grade, the software's ease of use was crucial.
Enjoying the news? Sign up for the Creative COW Newsletter! Sign up for the Creative COW newsletter and get weekly updates on industry news, forum highlights, jobs, inspirational tutorials, tips, burning questions, and more! Receive bulletins from the largest, longest-running community dedicated to supporting professionals working in film, video, and audio.
Enter your email address, and your first and last name below!
-- Sign up: * indicates required
Email Address *
Name
--
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...