Box, the New York photographic studio founded by legendary fashion photo retoucher Pascal Dangin, has purchased a FilmLight Northlight 2 film scanner and a Baselight EIGHT colour grading system for Box Motion, its newly launched film services division, which performs post production work for commercials and feature films.

Box Motion has already used its new FilmLight systems to perform scanning and colour grading for several high profile commercial advertising campaigns, including spots for Levi’s and Prada. Additionally, Dangin personally used Baselight EIGHT to perform colour grading and digital retouching for Restless, a new film from director Gus Van Sant scheduled for release in 2011. It marked the first time that Dangin has graded a feature film. He worked with Van Sant and cinematographer Harris Savides on the project.

Dangin, who said that he has been preparing for his company’s move into motion imagery for more than a year, observed that he selected Northlight because of its superb scanning quality and chose Baselight because of its unparalleled colour management and rendering power. “I studied the technology and felt very comfortable with FilmLight for several reasons,” Dangin explained. “Their people are passionate about what they do and have made a very precise and concerted effort to do the right thing.”

“Baselight’s color module most closely resembles what I am used to in film,” he added. “Baselight’s 4K capability is outstanding. From a creative point of view, I need to play with color the way an editor plays with motion. I can’t have rendering time. Baselight offered all the characteristics I wanted.” Dangin added that he was also impressed with Baselight’s toolset, which along with colour grading, offers the ability to perform sophisticated retouching, compositing and visual effects functions.

Dangin called Northlight’s scanning capabilities “far superior to any other machine.” “The range of the scanner is superior to the range of any film,” he said, “so I know I am covered for many years to come.”

Dangin and Box are widely considered the premier providers of retouching, printing and other photographic services to the fashion industry. The company’s clients’ include the world’s top advertising agencies and fashion magazines, as well as photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Steven Meisel, Craig McDean and Mario Sorrenti. In addition to Box Motion, the company operates a digital services division, Boxwork, and a publishing division SteidlDangin.

Contact – Deepa Parbhoo ([email protected]) +44 20 7292 0400

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