EPK 4:3 vs. 16:9? at DVinfo.net

Ryan Krickow · December 6th, 2008, 12:13 AM

As far as I know footage for EPKs and "Making of" videos are shot 4:3. Is this still the standard or has it changed to 16:9? I know that clips from a movie within an EPK/"Making of" are letterboxed 16:9 but all the interviews and behind the scenes are usually 4:3. I'd appreciate any advice... and references to movies would be great. Thanks!

Tripp Woelfel · December 6th, 2008, 06:52 AM

I think the answer depends upon a lot of things. You haven't said what you need the information for. Curiosity? Are you planning on doing something like this? I think the ultimate answer is up to the guy writing the check.

That said, I think that 4:3 is approaching its last days. All TVs now are 16:9. SD TV is still broadcast 4:3 but how long will that last? Do the DTV converter boxes have aspect ratio controls? Having never put my mitts physically on one of them, I don't know. If they do, then 4:3 is even closer to lights out, at least here in the US.

I haven't delivered any SD projects in the last year in 4:3 and I don't expect to in the future. There was a thread somewhere around here recently on this general subject and as I recall 16:9 was the favorite by a good margin.

In the end, the decision is up to the "dreaded client".

Ryan Krickow · December 7th, 2008, 03:10 PM

I'm editing a film and I want to be sure that the "Making of" and behind the scenes footage is shot appropriately for the deliverables' sake. It's hard to know what aspect ratio to pick though, because we don't have a distribution deal so I'm just trying to determine what the most widely accepted format would be. Thanks, Ryan

December 6th, 2008, 12:13 AM	#1
Ryan Krickow Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hawaii Posts: 41	EPK 4:3 vs. 16:9? As far as I know footage for EPKs and "Making of" videos are shot 4:3. Is this still the standard or has it changed to 16:9? I know that clips from a movie within an EPK/"Making of" are letterboxed 16:9 but all the interviews and behind the scenes are usually 4:3. I'd appreciate any advice... and references to movies would be great. Thanks!

December 6th, 2008, 06:52 AM	#2
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	I think the answer depends upon a lot of things. You haven't said what you need the information for. Curiosity? Are you planning on doing something like this? I think the ultimate answer is up to the guy writing the check. That said, I think that 4:3 is approaching its last days. All TVs now are 16:9. SD TV is still broadcast 4:3 but how long will that last? Do the DTV converter boxes have aspect ratio controls? Having never put my mitts physically on one of them, I don't know. If they do, then 4:3 is even closer to lights out, at least here in the US. I haven't delivered any SD projects in the last year in 4:3 and I don't expect to in the future. There was a thread somewhere around here recently on this general subject and as I recall 16:9 was the favorite by a good margin. In the end, the decision is up to the "dreaded client".

December 7th, 2008, 03:10 PM	#3
Ryan Krickow Regular Crew Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hawaii Posts: 41	I'm editing a film and I want to be sure that the "Making of" and behind the scenes footage is shot appropriately for the deliverables' sake. It's hard to know what aspect ratio to pick though, because we don't have a distribution deal so I'm just trying to determine what the most widely accepted format would be. Thanks, Ryan