Matte Box

[swc]

What is a Matte Box used for ?

Do many people use them with 8mm ?

thanks.

[disjecta]

A matte box serves 4 purposes:

1. It will hold various matte shapes in front of your camera to simulate looking through a keyhole, or binoculars, etc.
2. a sunshade for your lens
3. A filter holder. you can stack 2 or 3 filters (depending on the matte box) without having to screw them in front of your lens. The Filters are usually square (most popular is 4x4).
4. Makes your camera look cooler :twisted:

Check out the following examples: http://jl-site.com/Super8/Matt-Box.html

[super8man]

And, related to point three - allows you to perform trick shots like those seen in Woodstock. Of course, you must be able to rewind your film to expose/film the other half, as in the case of a simple split image effect.

[swc]

So would you consider them a fairly essential item if you were making a feature film (on 8mm or any other format) ?

Most pro productions seem to use them...

[mattias]

So would you consider them a fairly essential item if you were making a feature film (on 8mm or any other format) ?

you shouldn't worry about looking cool, and you probably won't be doing many matte effects, so you'd only need it to keep the lights from hitting the lens as well as for holding filters. using some flags and screw on filters and sun shade would take care of that though. one reason the "real" productions always use one is that they need the support system anyway for follow focus and such, so they might as well put the box on there too. good luck.

/matt

[swc]

Thanks for that...

PS. I've always been a nerd, it would take more than a Matte Box to make me look cool !!!

[disjecta]

Jeez, I'm sorry I included number 4, it was meant to be a joke!!! :roll:

[rollemfilm]

There were no camera matte shots in Woodstock. All those split screens were opticals.

[mattias]

Jeez, I'm sorry I included number 4, it was meant to be a joke!!!

of course, but it's true nonetheless.

/matt