Exclusive: Star Wars Episode 7 to be Shot on Film by Dan Mindel

Published • Written by • Categorized in Film & TV
Frame of reference. This is how Star Trek was shot. Star Wars Episode 7 will use the same camera team and director.

Frame of reference: this is how Star Trek was shot on film, not digital like the Star Wars prequels. Star Wars Episode 7 will use the same camera team led by cinematographer Dan Mindel ASC BSC in addition to the director we already know is attached, J.J. Abrams. Photo by Zade Rosenthal / ICG Magazine.

Announced today at a film industry event * in Los Angeles, we’re exclusively and first to report that cinematographer Dan Mindel ASC, BSC is shooting Star Wars Episode 7 with J.J. Abrams — on 35mm film. Specifically, Kodak film stock 5219.

At today’s event in the ASC Club House, the cinematographer discussed his first work with J.J. Abrams on “Mission: Impossibe 3.” During a viewing of the dailies (a standard review of what was shot the day before, whether or not on 35mm film), a mistake lens flare caught the eye of the director. Dan showed him how they are created, which led to lens flares galore in “Super 8” and the recent “Star Trek” films, the latter of which Mindel lensed.

Thanks to the Kodak rep, Lorette Bayle, for asking the question during the Q&A, which Dan confirmed himself after a couple coy replies.

* Updated 8/22/2013 5:55pm PST: The event was “ASC Breakfast with Dan Mindel” where American Cinematographer Associate Editor, Jon Witmer, reviewed his work in Q&A, which included “Domino,” “Shanghai Noon” and “Star Trek.” Then the event had a public Q&A.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS

Photo by Zade Rosenthal / ICG Magazine.

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172 Comments

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  3. Tarkin says:

    get ready to be overwhelmed by shaky camera work!

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  9. Rudy M Alapag Jr says:

    may the force be with them shooting Episode VII. Soon it will turn out great.

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  46. John Brune says:

    Great news. The lens flare thing doesn’t bother me. I’m tired of all the articles on the Red and Alexa. I bet this will get a post 3D treatment tho. That sucks!

    1. BFFC Admin says:

      Great point, John! I don’t expect they’ll replicate the exact look-and-feel. However, regardless of the work on “Star Trek” with Dan Mindel, J.J. loves the streak look.

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  52. Interesting move from JJ. Abrams. (I would have thought they would shoot with Red’s 6K sensor). It does fit with the very physically orientated approach they are adopting with real locations etc… Very cool. We have also made a Star Wars Fan Film Smuggler’s Run please check it out here.
    http://youtu.be/jdV3yjMRF04

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About the Author, Aaron Proctor

Founder and editor of the Boba Fett Fan Club, established in 1996. Aaron curates all of the content for BFFC and also designs/develops the website. He works with a team of volunteers worldwide. When not volunteering here, he's a cinematographer and runs his own production company.

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