ASPECT RATIO
We have a question for you concerning "The X-Files" aspect ratio. Here in France (but we think it's the same in the USA), from Season 1 to Season 9, the TV aspect ratio is 1:33. When the first four seasons were released on DVD, the aspect ratio remained the same, 1:33. But from Season 5 until Season 9, the aspect ratio on DVD has been 1:77. So our questions are: Which is the real aspect ratio of "The X-Files?" Were the first four seasons shot in 1:33 and the last five shot in 1:77? Or was the series shot entirely in 1:77?
Steph and Fred
Marseilles, France
Excellent, but difficult, question. To answer it, I had to place a call to my old friend Paul Rabwin, the "X-Files" producer in charge of post-production during all nine seasons. According to Paul, the series was shot in 1:33 until late in Season 4, when we began shooting with Super 35 film. However, network policy forbade broadcasting in the widescreen, or letterbox, format. So even though the aspect ratio of the negative was 1:85, the show was still "finished" in 1:33 and broadcast that way through the end of the series. Once the shows were released on DVD, Ten Thirteen made the decision to release a 1:77 version of the show for Seasons 5 through 9 (because we could!).
Steph and Fred
Marseilles, France
Excellent, but difficult, question. To answer it, I had to place a call to my old friend Paul Rabwin, the "X-Files" producer in charge of post-production during all nine seasons. According to Paul, the series was shot in 1:33 until late in Season 4, when we began shooting with Super 35 film. However, network policy forbade broadcasting in the widescreen, or letterbox, format. So even though the aspect ratio of the negative was 1:85, the show was still "finished" in 1:33 and broadcast that way through the end of the series. Once the shows were released on DVD, Ten Thirteen made the decision to release a 1:77 version of the show for Seasons 5 through 9 (because we could!).
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