Digital has done a pretty good job of trying to kill actual real film, but celluloid is still alive and breathing in Hollywood.
The Hollywood Reporter has announced that the major studios have reached a deal with Kodak to continue buying and using the companies film stock for their productions.
The deal is with the five majors: Disney, Universal, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros.
Even though digital is cheaper and a lot easier to use in post-production, a number of filmmakers in Hollywood prefer using film stock and this deal was the result of directors such as Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino and J.J. Abrams championing the format.
Recent films which were shot of film include the Oscar-nominated films Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and The Irishman.
The Rise of Skywalker, despite its heavy use of digital effects, was also shot on Kodak.
At one point Kodak was a powerhouse in the industry. However, once digital was introduced they were unable to adjust to a different marketplace and were forced to declare for bankruptcy in 2012. A number of their patents were sold to companies such as Apple, Google, and Amazon in order to stay in business.
Based out of Rochester, NY, the company’s business and manufacturing dwindled down so much that in order to stay afloat they had to start renting out their corporate space to other businesses in the early part of the millennium.
Rental income is now one of Kodak’s main money makers.
