- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 13,600
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I'm a fan of this series, which to me seems to rise far above it graphic novel roots, to a point at which, if one were unaware, the idea of those roots might never come to mind.
Shot in Super 16, around various locations in Georgia, inclusive of Riverwood Studios, the series projects a seemingly constant atmosphere of dread, around which the lead characters work to get along, to hold together their bit of civilized culture, and to simply try to survive.
Reference tells me that the series is shot on Kodak Vision3 500T stock, which gives it a beautifully granular sheen, and a slightly rough-hewn look, which may also help to hide any seams between production photography and the VFX backgrounds and plates shot on 35mm.
The major set-piece in the first few episodes is a multi-lane highway, filled with abandoned vehicles, which needed to be opened for traffic at times, and all vehicles removed and replaced as they were. Interestingly, some vehicles -- I defy you to figure out which ones -- are CGI, as are some of the "walkers." Just beautifully produced.
It doesn't take long for viewers to become entrenched in lives of the cast, which makes an occurrence in episode seven one one the most affecting I recall from episodic TV. For those who view the series on Blu-ray, please no spoilers.
I tend to view episodic TV on different monitors -- usually on a 50 or 55 panel, then checking quality in projection with proper audio reproduction.
And it was in projection that I noticed something unusual, and it wasn't the perfect grain structure, which is shown off on a large screen.
It was the audio.
Which literally came alive. I had to go to the packaging to confirm what my system was telling me. This show was posted in Doby TrueHD 7.1 -- discreet channels for cable product. It was obvious the first time that effects and ambiance came into play, and I was immensely impressed. Not only with the quality of the audio -- Dolby has been there for years, and my work on Lawrence, Spartacus and My Fair Lady were all finished in six-track Dolby SR...
But this was something else. Above and beyond, and it needs to be heard to fully understand the care that is going into these productions.
Glorious S16mm imagery, combined with a far higher level of audio quality that one might imagine for a cable production, makes this Blu-ray, from Anchor Bay, a winner in my home theater.
Image - 5
Audio - 5
Highly Recommended.
RAH
Shot in Super 16, around various locations in Georgia, inclusive of Riverwood Studios, the series projects a seemingly constant atmosphere of dread, around which the lead characters work to get along, to hold together their bit of civilized culture, and to simply try to survive.
Reference tells me that the series is shot on Kodak Vision3 500T stock, which gives it a beautifully granular sheen, and a slightly rough-hewn look, which may also help to hide any seams between production photography and the VFX backgrounds and plates shot on 35mm.
The major set-piece in the first few episodes is a multi-lane highway, filled with abandoned vehicles, which needed to be opened for traffic at times, and all vehicles removed and replaced as they were. Interestingly, some vehicles -- I defy you to figure out which ones -- are CGI, as are some of the "walkers." Just beautifully produced.
It doesn't take long for viewers to become entrenched in lives of the cast, which makes an occurrence in episode seven one one the most affecting I recall from episodic TV. For those who view the series on Blu-ray, please no spoilers.
I tend to view episodic TV on different monitors -- usually on a 50 or 55 panel, then checking quality in projection with proper audio reproduction.
And it was in projection that I noticed something unusual, and it wasn't the perfect grain structure, which is shown off on a large screen.
It was the audio.
Which literally came alive. I had to go to the packaging to confirm what my system was telling me. This show was posted in Doby TrueHD 7.1 -- discreet channels for cable product. It was obvious the first time that effects and ambiance came into play, and I was immensely impressed. Not only with the quality of the audio -- Dolby has been there for years, and my work on Lawrence, Spartacus and My Fair Lady were all finished in six-track Dolby SR...
But this was something else. Above and beyond, and it needs to be heard to fully understand the care that is going into these productions.
Glorious S16mm imagery, combined with a far higher level of audio quality that one might imagine for a cable production, makes this Blu-ray, from Anchor Bay, a winner in my home theater.
Image - 5
Audio - 5
Highly Recommended.
RAH
