Debra Kaufman caught up with Andy Romanoff, executive VP of technic al marketing & startegy for Panavision to look at the new improvements to the Genesis camera as well as the new Hylà©n System, which allows cinematographers to selectively focus and defocus areas of the image in-camera.

The Panavision Hylà©n System introduces new realms of “On-Set” creativity control for cinematographers and directors. By utilizing the Primo ® quality optical relay system, and advanced electro-mechanics, the user can manipulate the intermediate image (the image between the lens and the film plane or image sensor) in “real time” with a wide range of organic optical effect “plug-ins” prior to image capture.

The first such plug-in is called “Regional Focus Control” (RFC). This effect has an area of sharp focus which can be freely moved anywhere within the frame. The surrounding area can be defocused to any desired degree from sharp to completely soft. All adjustments are seen live in your viewfinder or field monitor.

RFC enables new ways of directing the viewer’s attention anywhere within your image. Now even wide-angle lenses can have a shallow focus effect.

Desired effects are based on interchangeable smart plug-ins. Additional “plug-ins” currently in development for future releases are:
– Rotating RFC
– Filter Mosaics
– ND Grads, Diffusion, Polarizer, Overalls
– Mask Mosaics
– Gun Sight, Binocular, Keyhole, Night Vision.
– Text/Image Overlay

In-Camera effects save production money while allowing complete “On-Set” artistic control.

This revolutionary patented system is compatible with Genesis, all our 35mm cameras, Zoom lenses and primes down to 6mm. The Hylà©n system also covers the Super35 format.