Preserving Artistic IntentMaking the case forOriginal Aspect Ratios

Bryan Beckman

31 May 2007

Aspect ratios revisited

Origin of the “Black Bars”

• “Black bars” on the top and bottom of an image are the result of a mismatch between ▫ The aspect ratio of the media▫ The aspect ratio of the viewing device

Dealing with the discrepancy

• Film studios regularly distribute two versions of a movie on DVD▫ Widescreen (aspect ratio preserved, “black bars”) Also called “Letterbox” or “Original Aspect Ratio”

▫ Full Screen (modified to fit a 4x3 screen) Also called “Full Frame” or “Pan & Scan”

Modifying aspect ratios is wrong

• Film is art• The aspect ratio is the director’s “frame” for

composing the image• Modified aspect ratios compromise the artist’s

intent and limit the art’s intended effect on the viewer

• Viewers can miss up to 40% of the film

How “Pan & Scam” works

• Squishing

How “Pan & Scam” works

• Squashing

How “Pan & Scam” works

• Zooming

How “Pan & Scam” works

• Artificial pans and scans

Oppose MAR-ed media

• Buy, rent, and borrow only films in OAR▫ 99.999% of the time = WIDESCREEN

• Educate your friends and family members▫ “Full” screen is pure marketing hype▫ You’re not seeing the film as the director intended

See the ENTIRE film . . . . . . don’t cut it short!