Every day, in cities around the world, talented experts at an array of outstanding laboratories help storytellers bring their images to life. In Camera checked in with just a few of these labs to see what's developing and on the horizon.

This year marks FotoKem’s 50th anniversary as a full-service post-production facility serving the creative community. With one of the most well-known labs in the world, the Burbank-based company offers a broad spectrum of services, including a palette of new digital workflows for 65mm, 35mm and 16mm film acquisition. Mike Brodersen, FotoKem’s VP of strategy, notes, “In recent months, both 65mm and 35mm 2-perf have seen a boost in popularity – filmmakers shooting 65mm as the gold standard in image quality and 2-perf 35mm as a cost-effective acquisition choice for ‘scope’ aspect ratios. Offering new digital tools in conjunction with film acquisition gives productions a wide array of finishing options for a variety of budget levels, with the added benefit of a built-in archive format for future proofing.” ()

By Bob Fisher

Michael Ballhaus, ASC is the 2010 recipient of the Plus Camerimage Lifetime Achievement Award. The presentation will be made during the 18th Annual International Festival of the Art of Cinematography at its new home in Bydgoszcz, Poland from November 27 through December 4.