Digital Cinema Discussed by Scorsese, Wachowskis, and Soderbergh

Keanu Reeves is producing an interesting documentary called Side by Side in which filmmakers discuss film versus digital. The doc is basically a debate about the revolution of digital filmmaking, and Reeves also serves as the film's narrator and interviewer.  More and more people are shooting their films digitally these days. It more cost effective, easier, and convenient. There are a few filmmakers who are holding out, like Christopher Nolan. I personally don't think shooting movies on film will ever die out, but in the end it all comes down to the story that the movie tells anyway, not the format it's filmed in. 

Movies.com got their hands on six unused clips from the documentary, called "Side Swipes," that are being released on YouTube. They include interesting discussions on the subject of digital filmmaking with Lana and Andy Wachowski, cinematographers Wally Pfister and Michael Chapman (of Raging Bull and The Fugitive), Steven Soderbergh, David Lynch, and of course Martin Scorsese. The Wachowski discussion is probably the most interesting. 

Other filmmakers involved with the film include James Cameron, George Lucas, Greta Gerwig, Lena Dunham, David Fincher, Danny Boyle, Joel Schumacher, Robert Rodriguez, Lars Von Trier, Vittorio Storano, Michael Chapman, and Vilmos Zsigmond.

This is great stuff for anyone interested in filmmaking! The actual film will be released in theaters on August 17th and on VOD August 22nd. Check out the videos below and let us know where you stand on digital filmmaking!

Lana and Andy Wachowski on editing and performances:

Cinematographer Wally Pfister on Christopher Nolan's movies:

Cinematographer Michael Chapman on not to worry:

Steven Soderbergh on accepting digital over film:

David Lynch on the improved consistency with digital cinema:

Martin Scorsese on the choice of celluloid: