Directory of Widescreen Resources

Home > Arts > Movies > Filmmaking > Film Formats > Widescreen

Most modern theatrical films are created in a shape that is different from the shape of a standard television set. A standard TV is 1.33 times as wide as it is tall; in other words, it has an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. Movies are much wider, with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 or 2.35:1; hence the word widescreen. This leads to problems when attempting to watch a movie on TV. One solution is to use a modified aspect ratio (MAR), changing the shape of the film image to fit the TV screen. Common methods for presenting MAR are pan-and-scan and open-matte. The other solution is sometimes called letterboxing, in which the film is presented in its original aspect ratio (OAR) by shrinking the image so that its width matches the width of the TV screen, leaving extra space above and below.

This category contains sites related to the widescreen format, including explanations, comparisons between OAR and MAR, and advocacy.

Resources in This Category

• Hong Kong Fanatic: Intro to Widescreen

  http://hkfanatic.com/widescreen/
  Images showing various aspect ratios, demonstrating letterbox, pan-and-scan, and open-matte formats, explaining anamorphic DVDs, and comparing standard and widescreen TVs.

• In 70 mm

  http://www.in70mm.com/
  Newsletter about 70mm cinemas, films, history and technology.

• Letterbox Format Explanation

  http://www.firsttvdrama.com/show2/letterb.php3
  Images demonstrating the various formats in which movies are displayed.

• Ryanwright.com

  http://www.ryanwright.com/ht/oar.shtml
  Flash animation demonstrating the pan-and-scan and letterbox processes.

• The Letterbox and Widescreen Advocacy Page

  http://www.widescreen.org/
  Organization defending the visions and intentions of filmmakers. Aspect ratio explanations, examples comparing images of widescreen and pan-and-scan versions of many films, sound and video clips, and commentary.

• Widescreen Advocate

  http://www.widescreenadvocate.org/
  Information resource for those wishing to participate in a grassroots education effort. Flyers, brochures, petitions, and list of DVDs not in original aspect ratio.

• Widescreen Information Page

  http://www.twowiresthin.com/aspect/
  Movie screenshots illustrating the benefits of viewing films in their original aspect ratios.

 

Home > Arts > Movies > Filmmaking > Film Formats > Widescreen

 

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