widescreen makes a film look more cinematic...
if you actually make the video smaller, it'll mess stuff up, so you gotta keep the normal 16:9 aspect ratio and actually include the black bars in the video.

Well, there's this tutorial by Aquamorph Productions. I used it, and it really works well. I think the dimensions are 1280x720 at standard, but I'm not sure. Although, you could try this
JT

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i do it in ae, but you can do it in wax just as easily.  make a black image the same size as the frame, drop two of them on of the video, and move them up or down using the "basic 3d" effect to that they act as black bars.

Ok, I just keyed it in my editing software. Do the bars look big enough? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCP2MbJzj74

Proper dimensions refers to a number of standards that have been in use for decades by Hollywood. 16:9 and 4:3 come to mind.

Why do you want to film in super widescreen? 16:9 looks cinematic, too.

Amen, Brother...16:9 is what your average video camera records on now and your TV shows are filmed in. Now super widescreen if what real movie are filmed in.

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Just like Gone With The Wind, North By Northwest, The Ten Commandments, etc, etc.

Making films cinematic is what makes them look cinematic. Not making them wider.

Agreed, but what I am saying is that it helps set the mood.

Besides, those movies where shot in 1.85, the Academy standard, and were made over 60 years ago (when most TV's were in 4:3(?))!