In the glamorous world of cinema, few directors have mastered the art of breathtaking practical effects quite like Christopher Nolan. In 2020’s “Tenet,” he left audiences in awe by orchestrating the explosive crash of a real 747 plane without relying on CGI trickery. Now, with his latest feature film, “Oppenheimer,” Nolan is aiming even higher, trying to recreate the historic Trinity Test, the first-ever successful detonation of a nuclear bomb, all on camera, without the safety net of visual effects.
From the start, the ambitious challenge required unconventional thinking and technical prowess. “Of course we couldn’t make an explosion the size of the actual explosion, so we used trickery,” explains the mastermind behind the lens, cameraman Hoyte van Hoytema. Rest assured, there was no detonation of an actual nuclear bomb.
Oppenheimer did the impossible with an awesome array of atomic bombs
To bring the awe-inspiring ten-minute sequence to life, Nolan and Hoytema worked closely with special effects supervisor Scott Fisher and visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson, according to Variety. “We are absolutely thrilled with the depth of resolution that IMAX offers,” explains van Hoytema. “And with VFX you have to scan it, which causes a loss of about half the original resolution.” The goal was clear: to maintain the visual richness and depth of resolution that only IMAX can provide.
The team got creative and turned their set into an art studio. They performed exciting science experiments, set up aquariums with electricity and used various devices. They made silver particles dance and made metal balloons glow from the inside. They also carefully choreographed objects that collide, spin and fly in the air to get the perfect look they wanted.
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Black and white IMAX stock in Oppenheimer
As the story intertwined between Oppenheimer’s world and the corroborating hearings of Lewis Strauss, played by the talented Robert Downey Jr., the decision to use black and white arose. With no existing 70mm black and white IMAX stock, Van Hoytema enlisted Kodak to engineer the necessary film. The collaboration expanded to include camera tweaks, printing plate remakes, and lab tweaks, turning a seemingly simple choice into a remarkable feat of engineering.
The moment of revelation came when Nolan and Hoytema were in the cinema and witnessed the results of their first black and white test. The pinnacle of their work left them speechless, a testament to their relentless pursuit of excellence. “I remember when Chris and I were in the cinema and witnessed the results of our first black and white test, and it was just amazing. We had never seen anything like it.”
Ultimately, “Oppenheimer” stood not only as a cinematic achievement, but as a celebration of collective brilliance. Weeks of dedication from a hugely talented team from all corners of the country resulting in one final stunner that will resonate with audiences for years to come.
READ ALSO: Oppenheimer: Here’s why you need to see Christopher Nolan’s movie in IMAX; Take a look at theaters in the US
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