The IMAX Experience: Revolutionizing Cinema Through Technology and Immersion

Shot on IMAX: Capturing the Grandest Visions 

Shooting IMAX cameras is a risky decision that should only be made by filmmakers who care about the visual grandiosity. IMAX film cameras (both the oldermodels using 70mm film, and the newer digital versions) are made to provide exceptional resolution and a broader aspect ratio than typical cameras. The classic IMAX film camera is 15-perforations/70mm film, which has ten times the resolution of 35mm film with a greater dynamic range than any other format, as such, the large frame size of the IMAX film camera has the advantage of capturing vista shots, detailed action sequences, or close ups in great detail. This can be seen in movies such as the Dark Knight (2008) by Christopher Nolan or Dunkirk (2017), where there are specific scenes shot on IMAX film in order to give the viewer a sense of the Joker mess or the mass evacuation of soldiers, respectively. 

There are however challenges with shooting on IMAX film. The cameras are large and heavy up to 100 pounds, and also known to be noisy, necessitating use of soundproof blimps during dialogue scenes. These film mags only carry a 2-3 minutes of footage, and they have to reload very often, which is disruptive to production. It is also very expensive, film stock and processing taking millions of dollars per project. Such drawbacks usually limit the application of IMAX films to crucial parts instead of full-length movies.  

“Anybody who sees an original-negative print of a film shot in IMAX is looking at the best image quality available to filmmakers today. As long as any new technology is required to measure up to that, I think film has to remain the future” - Christopher Nolan. 

The Odyssey directed by Christopher Nolan, planned to be released on July 17, 2026, will be the first IMAX-shot blockbuster, shot entirely using IMAX film cameras of simpler and quieter designs specifically commissioned to make the film. Based on the ancient Greek poem written by Homer, this mythical action epic follows Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his hazarding journey home after the Trojan War, and stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway.