Netflix is not only a streaming entertainment service, but it is also one of the largest producers in the audiovisual world. For this reason, the American company has many requirements when it comes to filming and the cameras are one of those points that they look at with a magnifying glass before filming.
With Stranger Things triumphing in its final season , Netflix reminds us that, above all else, what they do and what they are passionate about is telling stories through the small screen. It is not a mere tool to upload movies and series, they want to believe them.
For Netflix, which pours huge sums of money into original content in its ongoing quest to retain subscribers and attract new ones , picture quality is totally non-negotiable.
At this point it’s time to ask yourself: did you know that the production companies in charge of shooting their exclusive productions should only use cameras approved by the streaming giant?
In the video above, Netflix explains how it works with camera manufacturers and production companies to ensure a high level of quality when selecting devices for its “approved cameras” list.
In the video, Netflix camera systems specialist Kris Prygrocki begins by pointing out a common misconception: believing that the company’s only requirement for its approved list is 4K capture capability.
Of course, high-resolution images are certainly important, but Prygrocki says ” it’s not everything ,” citing a long list of other criteria such as the quality of a camera’s dynamic range, color reproduction, noise performance, etc. the reading speed of the sensor…
The video includes a look at some of the high-precision test equipment Netflix uses to check a camera’s picture performance , though the company also liaises with manufacturers to get the best results.
Prygrocki also notes that Netflix doesn’t ” make these specs in a vacuum and behind closed doors ,” explaining that camera requirements are the result of feedback from filmmakers, letting them know what features are important to them.
Netflix’s list of approved cameras currently includes 48 devices made by: ARRI, Canon, Panasonic, Red, Panavision, Sony, and Blackmagic.
Netflix’s high bar means it’s hard for some devices, like drone cameras and action cams, to make the list . Though the company says it’s okay if a specialized camera kit is needed for a particular shot.
” Imagine you’re trying to capture a hummingbird flapping its wings at 1,000 frames per second, or you need to mount a camera on a car crashing into a wall ,” explains Prygrocki. ” These are shots that simply cannot be achieved without the use of a specialized system, and we understand that .”
Good initiative from Netflix to be more transparent and provide information on a question that, although not everyone asks, is very interesting. For something they produce more movies and series than anyone in the sector.