How Technology Continues to Revolutionize the Film Industry

Every Job is a STEAM Job is our series looking at why kids will need tech literacy and coding skills to
succeed in their future careers, no matter where those careers take them. Previously, we looked at
how technology is changing construction, archaeologists, set designers, teachers, fashion designers,
architects, journalists, small business owners, and the professionals protecting our national parks.

Just watch an old movie if you want to see how far technology has progressed. From 80s cell phones
the size of shoe boxes to a plastic Godzilla terrorizing Japan, viewers can easily see on and off-screen
technology evolve through the years.

Advances in film tech are not slowing down. Here’s how today’s filmmakers are using technology
and how the next generation will use these tools to create films of their own.

7 New Ways Technology Improves Film Production

3D visuals and augmented reality provide different experiences for viewers, but technology is also
changing behind the scenes. Here are just a few ways film production is changing to create better
sets, sounds, lights, and footage.

3D Printing for Props and Sets

Concept software has made it easier for designers and filmmakers to execute their visions digitally,
and 3D printing is helping turn those digital creations into 3D objects. 

While home tinkerers might think of 3D printing as a way to create new tools or pieces for their
creations, movie studios are stopping just short of creating full-scale tanks and ships for their sets.

Better Lighting Design and Balance

African countries aren’t the only ones benefiting from better film technology. In fact, the film scene
is set to become increasingly diverse as technology becomes more accessible and advanced across
the world.

Directors Are Exploring Glasses-Free 3D Technology

The novelty has worn off 3D movies and many moviegoers have complained that they’re more of a
gimmick than a film experience. Customers wear flimsy 3D glasses just to see the same tricks they’ve
seen in previous movies while cinemas get to charge more for tickets.

The goal of 3D movies is to make audiences part of the experience instead of passive viewers. Virtual
reality is another tool increasing levels of viewer engagement. VR brings audiences onto the set,
letting them poke around to get a deeper look at the world the characters are in.
3D visuals and augmented reality provide different experiences for viewers, but technology is also
changing behind the scenes. Here are just a few ways film production is changing to create better
sets, sounds, lights, and footage.

3D Printing for Props and Sets

Concept software has made it easier for designers and filmmakers to execute their visions digitally,
and 3D printing is helping turn those digital creations into 3D objects

Better Lighting Design and Balance

African countries aren’t the only ones benefiting from better film technology. In fact, the film scene
is set to become increasingly diverse as technology becomes more accessible and advanced across
the world.

Mass-Market Drone Use

Drones have made it easier for low-budget and indie filmmakers to get the shots they want.

This also means aerial views or new angles are possible without helicopters or bulky equipment
pieces that could possibly get in the way of the shot. Not only does this make drone use more
convenient, it also makes executing a director’s artistic vision easier.

AI-Developer Screenplays

Of course, some filmmakers might realize technology is their competition as well as a useful tool.
Researchers at NYU have developed AI technology (which has named itself Benjamin) that writes
screenplays.

While the screenplay isn’t likely to win awards anytime soon for its plot and character depth, it’s an
interesting look into the field of AI and creativity.

AI Sound Design
AI is also helping sound designers better pair sound effects and assign realistic sounds to silent
footage.

If this technology becomes accessible to low-budget theatres and filmmakers, then sound designers
might be able to find the perfect effects for their productions within a matter of minutes.
Technology is Changing the Industry and Cinema Business Plans

Technology isn’t just changing how filmmakers develop their craft or how cinemas display it. It’s
completely changing the business side of film. Even employees who don’t work in production or
technology will need to understand how the digital world affects their business.

Technology isn’t just changing how filmmakers develop their craft or how cinemas display it. It’s
completely changing the business side of film. Even employees who don’t work in production or
technology will need to understand how the digital world affects their business.

Creating Movies for Mobile Devices

Of the 500 movie versions that studios have to generate, many of them have to be compatible with
mobile devices.

While technology has made editing and distribution easier, it has also increased the demands asked
of production companies to create versions across all levels of viewership.

10 Types of Movie Technology That Changed the Industry Forever

Since the introduction of the very first motion picture a little more than a century ago, the movie and
television industry continues to impress when it comes to innovation. Can you imagine there was a
time when the sight of a quiet moving train on a screen could literally send the audience diving for
cover? But this only goes to show how cinema has inspired some of the most eye-catching
technologies in visual arts.

From green screens and 3D viewing to CGI and iMax, the digital film and steadicam, the world of
cinema has come a long way to modern technological advances. With the proliferation of computer-
based discoveries, tech solutions, and digital platforms in the fields of filming and special effects, the
innovations that await us in the future are no less exciting than those of the last one hundred plus
years.

1. Filming the Future – 2012

Originally, the industry standard for shooting a movie was 24 frames per second. Thanks to
significant progress in filming technologies, movies such as The Hobbit boast a breathtaking 48fps,
making it the first Hollywood movie to exceed the typical fps rate. Red One Digital cameras on movie
sets across the globe are revolutionizing the filming process by discarding the standard 35mm-
camera and going for a littler, lighter, and more portable alternative without compromising on the
image quality.
The result: filmmakers don’t have to deal with heavy equipment when exercising their craft, which
can be rather cumbersome. Using digital backgrounds and virtual backlots, actors now have the
ability to appear in far-flung destinations – which has helped strengthen domestic economies.
Today, directors can let their imaginations run wild and incorporate bazaar scenes without rewriting
their scripts or breaking the bank.

2. Second Screens
The introduction of multiple screens has provided entertainment lovers with endless ways to enjoy
their favorite movies. From streaming services customized for the mobile screen to tablet apps, fans
can have a more profound experience of their favorite content. Furthermore, recent apps such as
the Men in Black III app and the Star Trek app allowed users to connect with other fans, gain access
to exclusive content, and intermingle with the marketing campaigns.

3. Disney Digital and Ultraviolet Copy

These two technologies are revolutionizing when and where fans can watch movies and TV shows.
Blu-rays can be purchased, then stored and accessed in the cloud on the internet, allowing people to
enjoy their content whenever, wherever they want. With more access to entertainment than ever
before, you can now find your favorite movies and TV shows on a wide range of platforms, including
streaming services such as SnagFilms, Fandor, Hulu Plus, Crackle, and iTunes, among others.

4. Eco-sustainable Practices
One of the most iconic movie technologies has got to be in the field of sustainable practices. Movie
studios have started replacing energy-consumptive filming methods with more eco-friendly
solutions. For instance, in the movie Think Like A Man, the entire set had to be revamped to reduce
energy consumption by implementing low energy emission filming and LED lights. Studios are
looking for low-energy options in filmmaking, which can be in the form of solar power installations,
natural gas micro-turbines, or minimizing the use of such resources as water, fuel, and electricity.

5. Science Fiction to Reality

There are certain movies that have inspired significant innovations in the movie industry as well. The
previous imaginary gesture technology noticeable in films such as Johnny Mnemonic and Minority
Report rose above their fictional roots and transformed into real world technological advancements.
What’s more, movies such as Iron Man, Prometheus, and Inception continue to champion futuristic
gadgets and innovation.

6. The Dolly and Steadicam (Camera rigs) (1907 and 1976, respectively)
These technologies are the inventions that represent benchmark camera techniques. It’s quite hard
to find a major motion picture that does not utilize either (if not both) of these technologies. In a
nutshell, the dolly is simply placing the camera on wheels that glide along tracks. This facilitates a
smooth movement that allows you to follow people when they are walking or talking, or even get
sweeping opening shots, particularly when combined with a crane. The steadicam, on the other
hand, was invented to incorporate the seamlessness of a dolly system while allowing the freedom of
handheld shooting. To put it simply, it is a rig that allows you to place the camera on several points
of the human body, utilizing the cameraman’s chest, shoulders, and back to support the camera
while holding it with your hands. Notable movies making use of this technology include The Russian
Ark (2002/3) and The Shining (1980).

7. DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) Cameras – 1969

One of the biggest moves in the movie industry was the transition from film to digital cameras. The
ability to record onto internal storage and memory cards instead of chemicals saw a significant
reduction in production time and expenses. The bonus was that these cameras were compact, which
also helped reduce the time for setting up the equipment. Since the introduction of the first DSLR
camera to shoot at 24fps in HD video (Nikon D90) in 2009, there has been a noticeable difference
between film and digital.

8. CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) – 1973

The first time computer generated imagery was used in film was in the sci-fi movie Westworld, back
in 1973. The subsequent films Futureworld (1976) and Tron then came with 3D, and the rest is
history. This was a good time for fantasy and science fiction filmmakers because it provided the right
tools to visually illustrate the themes and the world of their characters.

9. Green Screen – 1940

The “traveling matte” was the first form of digital compositing. This was a process used to
superimpose backdrops as actors performed against a blank, coloured wall. While the colours of
these screens have changed over time, the effect and the process have remained the same. It’s a
time consuming technique that involves filming a scene against a green screen, and then re-filming it
with a filter attached to the lens to remove all the colored areas of the film. In the final recording,
the layers are arranged over each other, frame by frame. This technology gave actors the ability to
appear anywhere in the world during filming, as well as create optical illusions while cutting back on
production costs at the same time. The Thief of Bagdad (1940) is probably the first film to use a blue
screen filter effect.

10. The Internet (‘90s)

Of course, this list would not be complete without adding the internet, which has changed (and is
still changing) how movies are seen and distributed across the world. Thanks to instant access and
worldwide distribution facilitated by the internet, anyone with a Smartphone can enjoy the
stimulating effects of video creation. New formats (podcasts, web shows, etc) and new methods of
accessing video (downloading, streaming) have seen the power shift from the industry to the
masses.
Digital Filmmaking

The Impact of Digital Technology on Filmmaking

The introduction of digital photography, the rapid transformation in data storage which came along
and the development of internet paved way for the digital filmmaking era. We are witnesses to this
transition. Though the ‘Film Vs Digital’ is one debate that may continue for few more years (some
veterans have criticized digital technology because of quality and other conversion issues) it is
notable that film technicians from around the world have been adapting to the changes. It is true
that the impact of digital technology has its pros and cons but the transformation cannot be ignored.
New-age aspiring film makers are required to be geared up to the latest developments and should
be aware of how the art of film making has gone through various stages in the past 100-150 years.
Most of the experts are of the opinion that the current digital era is one of the major
transformations the world of cinema has gone through till date.

Change in Production
Production is the stage of filmmaking where the movie is actually shot. In recent times there has
been a steady rise in use of digital cameras (cameras that capture images in digital format rather
than on films) in Hollywood and all other movie industries around the world. Though few big budget
Hollywood movies of recent times were shot using film cameras, the industry currently is relying
mostly on digital equipment for producing films. More than 90% of Hollywood films are shot using
digital cameras today. The cost of production is low for movies produced using digital cameras. This
is one of the major reasons why filmmakers from around the world are preferring digital over film
cameras for making movies. Today, we have aspiring film makers who use equipment as simple as a
mobiles and handy-cam to make movies. The capability of digital technology has simply destroyed all
conventional boundaries and has opened the door for a new world of great possibilities.

Change in Post-Production
In the past, editing or post-production was one of the most tedious jobs in filmmaking process.
Filmmakers had to rely on manual techniques during filming to create visual effects in movies.
Thanks to advanced film-editing software products, today it is possible to create the effects of an
imaginary world and fuse it seamlessly to the footages that are shot using digital camera. This is one
of the biggest leap digital technology has brought in the process of making movies. Visual effects is a
dedicated field in movie business which has been in great demand in recent times.

Change in Screening Methods

When asked about the biggest responsibility after completion of the movie, producers often point
out at the job of handling and storing the canister (the circular box that has the film roll.) With digital
technology, the storage method has changed and today it is much easier to handle and transport
movies to theatres than in the past. Servers, hard disks and video tapes are being used to store
movies and digital projectors are being used to screen them. There are other alternative platforms
new-age film makers are looking at. Internet has made it possible for filmmakers to showcase their
film to audience of a greater geographic range. Social media platforms and all other online
promotional strategies can be adopted to ensure that the movie reaches out to Digital
Filmmakingmore number of audiences from around the world.

How Digital Technologies Improve Filmmaking

Stepping into the current film industry holds a larger challenge compared to classic Filmmaking. The
digital era has definitely changed the game of making motion pictures. Today, digital technology has
transformed the way how movies are made. Digital Filmmaking opened new opportunities and
possibilities to filmmakers of both low-cost films and big budget blockbuster films. This also
comprises the same way that copyright infringement software shields these films. Therefore, if
you’re a filmmaker, whatever output or type of film you want to achieve, you can play around using
the latest technological advances.

Digital Vs. Conventional

In general, filmmaking is an expensive activity. Directors have to look for major studios that could
invest a big amount needed to produce a movie. As for digital Filmmaking, the digital motion picture
cameras may be expensive, but it is a significant, long term investment.

Digital Filmmaking is a type of Filmmaking where you use digital cameras or a computer to create
characters, environments and other extensive features. Digital storage has reduced and simplified
the costs of making movies. Compared to films, storage in digital cameras cost less, lasts longer and
is safer. Over a long period of time, films degrade and will actually decompose. Improper storage
and protection may destroy the print of the film which ultimately results to losing classic movies
forever.

The move from celluloid to digital has unwrapped up huge prospects for special effects resulting to
the growth of fantasy movies and science fiction. Film characters are not restricted to explore only
our world. Now, filmmakers have the tools to visually depict imaginary worlds with digital
technology. Movies feature computer generated imagery (CGI) while some combine both CGI and
live action using revolutionary new motion-capture techniques. Accordingly, movie creations are
more out of this world than ever.
As we’ve gone digital, the public’s movie experience has become a lot poles apart. In the past, users
was used to watching films without colour. Each motion picture was black and white. On the other
handcurrently anyone can enjoy a movie in full color with surround sound. They can even have a 3D
experience if they like to. The number of choices given to every movie goer is just one of the things
that prove that Filmmaking has really developed.

Apart from the internet, the widespread use and application of digital technologies are shaping the
future of film. At present, the way movies are consumed and distributed has also changed. People
can stream or download the videos, and with video-on-demand services users can watch their
favorite shows and movies whenever they like. Unfortunately, some individuals choose to share
copyrighted resources without the owners’ permission, which is illegal. When you download a
movie, you are stealing from the content owner’s compensation. So, content owners and their
partners use copyright infringement software to detect any digital piracy.

Getting to Know the Tricks of Digital Filmmaking

This is quite true when we speak about digital filmmaking. Films teach us a lot of life lessons which
help succeed. Visual images are stored quickly in our brain and retained for a long time in our
memory. If you are a person who is crazy or obsessed with media studies, photography, videography
and digital filmmaking, but don’t know where to look for the right tricks, this article will be your
perfect guide to the vital aspects of digital filmmaking. Before moving on to the technical aspects, it
is important to clearly understand the term ‘digital filmmaking.’

Digital filmmaking or digital cinematography involves the process of recording or capturing motion
pictures by using devices that can record digital data such as hard disks, video tapes or flash
memory. Using digital technology in filmmaking is a concept which evolved in the 1980s. Following
that, it slowly started gaining momentum in the 1990s and 2000s and has now moved on to become
an indispensable feature in filmmaking. Thanks to digital technology, it is possible for film makers to
shoot and edit films using dazzling special effects, all for a miniscule budget.

Having understood the concept of digital filmmaking, let’s now move on to understand the
opportunities provided to film makers in this new and advanced world of movies. Knowing these tips
and tricks will teach you the art of turning a movie into a runaway box office success irrespective of
it being a no budget, low budget or high budget movie.

Importance of Getting Full Time (Higher) Education in Filmmaking

Filmmaking involves ideation, exploration, and formation of a concept. It is the art form which
combines creativity with logic and lets a filmmaker cast his thoughts in a tangible fashion. In order to
acquire proficiency and higher capabilities of transforming your thoughts into action, technical
knowledge is a must. Film schools aim at providing not only the theoretical knowledge behind it but
also imparting valuable practical experience to the students entering this field. And of course, it
involves multiple levels of people working on a particular project, so it requires a specialist with the
exact knowledge of handling functions. The importance of higher education is equivalent to learning
how to play guitar, if you want to be a guitarist.

A film is created and is based on a story or an idea, the connection between what a scriptwriter or a
director perceives to what we see on the screen is what film education serves to do. If an idea is
backed with proper resources and background knowledge, only then it can fully culminate into its
actual form. Thus, a film school helps a prospective filmmaker to leverage his ideas by inculcating in
him the right set of skills. A film school degree can help a budding film professional in more than one
way.

Secondly, a specialized degree, such as in screenplay writing or film photography provides adequate
context and critical understanding of building acumen in a concrete direction in Filmmaking. A
formal education roots Filmmaking practices in film theory and locates it within the global context.
This was also a primary reason for the establishment of film schools in India as recommended by the
S.K. Patil Commission.

Thirdly, a higher education degree in Filmmaking serves to leverage the power of media more
consciously. The content of often have the high influence on the masses. A formal degree puts this
notion into perspective and equips a filmmaker with the tools and knowledge to determine the
extent of influence of their message through their films. This is especially important for
documentaries. Many documentary filmmakers consider presenting the right message to the
audience a sensitive art which is developed over time. Learning direction or screenwriting then is no
different from developing a hardware.

Lastly, higher education in the film industry also helps a person to gain recognition. If you have
successfully completed a professional diploma or a degree course, you possess the tangible proof of
your skills and training. It is all the more important if it’s from a renowned institution. Along with
proper experiential learning, recognition serves to present more opportunities and prospects for
filmmakers. And once your work is recognized, it is only a matter of time that it would reap huge
benefits. A successful filmmaker knows the importance of standing out from the crowd and
developing a novel concept. Higher education and experience can go a long way in providing the
requisite recognition to excel in the industry.

History of film technology

The history of film technology traces the development of film technology from the initial
development of "moving pictures" at the end of 19th century to the present time. Motion pictures
were initially exhibited as a fairground novelty and developed into one of the most important tools
of communication and entertainment in the 20th century. Major developments in motion picture
technology have included the adoption of synchronized motion picture sound, color motion picture
film, and the adoption of digital film technologies to replace physical film stock at both ends of the
production chain by digital image sensors and projectors.

Latest Trends in Animation Industry

Animation industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. There has been enormous
technological development in this domain in the recent past. Animation technology went through a
huge transformation from 2-dimensional white and black images to highly realistic 3D images that
are being produced using advanced 3D software.

In today’s digital world, the application of animation industry is not just limited to films. It facilitates
exciting career opportunities in a large number of creative industries such as Advertising, Print
Media, (Magazines, News-papers etc.), TV production and Gaming. India has successfully produced
3D animated movies such as Kochadaiiyaan, Hanuman and Bal Ganesh and achieved a positive
reputation in this industry worldwide. The success of animated movies has also encouraged the
introduction of several new advanced animation software products in the market too.

Animation industry takes the full advantage of the fast-growing entertainment and marketing
sectors. Brands are always a step ahead to leverage new audience and it’s a key trend in every
sector. Animated content attracts the new audience more effectively. The gaming industry is three
times bigger than Hollywood industry. Both the industries welcome students with specialized
knowledge in 3D animation technology.

Animation in Virtual Reality

In the year 2016, virtual reality took its first significant steps in animated storytelling. Animation is
best connected with virtual reality, as it is convenient to control the interaction between the viewers
and the subject they’re viewing. For example, a slight movement of headset can trigger a precise
action resulting in an immediacy and intimacy to the interaction.

Earlier, the target audience of animation industry was children under 9 years. But now, the trend has
completely changed and introducing stunning visual effects in animated films has fond appeal with
teenagers and adults alike. The audience connect easily with the 3D animated characters, as it
touches their emotions with awe-inspiring special effects. The 3D animation technology has been
appreciated by the young and the old alike, around the world.
During the initial days, animated films were produced on limited budgets because it was not a
profitable. Today, animated movies involve many latest technologies and they tend to attract the
largest budgets and achieve the highest box-office collections.

How Tech Has Shaped Film Making:

COSTS

Film is the preferred medium of old school film makers, but it’s usually too costly for a studio to
authorize. Film carries several disadvantages, that dwarf the authenticity that the film maker is going
for. Aside from the expense, film is impossible to reuse. That means a day of shooting must have
footage the crew can use, or else every resource consumed that day was a waste. The costs of film
don’t end the day of shooting either. Cinematographers who use film must develop it, and then
there is the costly process of editing the film.

Going digital largely means foregoing the large canisters of film that used to be synonymous with
film making. It also means production companies complete their shoot schedules with less waste,
keeping the entire project under or close to budget.

EDITING

Post production is another area where digital trumps the usage of film. Adding visual effects to film
was often a precise art, where the effect had to blend seamlessly with what was being shot. This was
a painstaking process that editors no longer go through. Digital effects are created and added to the
shot within the same program or family of programs. This software also allows editors to work on
entire sections of a film, easily piecing scenes together after the post production effects are added
in. That includes audio, which now has a high definition digital file that ensures the audience will
hear every word and action that they see.

The end result is a piece of film that looks cleaner, with effects that blend seamlessly with the movie.
The audience usually can’t tell when CGI has been used, but it’s a powerful tool film maker have
increasingly used to set atmosphere.

SHOOTING

Shooting in digital is much easier because you can do more in less time. Multiple cameras can run on
the same shot, so you always get the angle you want without having to waste time on retakes. I like
shooting digitally because it makes it easy to shoot multiple takes, and to get multiple angles more
economically. A director’s bread and butter is pace and performance. I love being able to shoot
everything. Even, with the actors’ permission, the rehearsals. You never know what pieces you’ll be
able to use later in editing.
Coupled with the new steady cam equipment that film has taken a liking to, the end result is a more
intimate shot. The audience feels present in the moment because the lens we are allowed to look
through feels authentic. Film makers also spend less time re-shooting the same scene to get the right
angle.

DISTRIBUTION

The process of distributing film in digital has not quite hit the apex of what it is capable of, but the
indie film maker especially stands to gain. Distribution through YouTube has been the most common
form of marketing for quite some time. Studios have released big-budget trailers, while indie film
makers have sought funding and interested eyes posting content through various YouTube channels.
Of course, the adverse affect is that quality has significantly declined, but that’s more a function of
volume. YouTube users also crowd source what is popular with a thumbs up, helping others to find
new and interesting content without spending too much time digging for it.

Rights to films are already distributed to consumers digitally, but this market has not been fully
tapped. There is much debate as to the future of film consumption, but companies seem willing to
distribute films online. The 2011 film Tower Heist with Ben Stiller was almost released to Comcast
customers alongside the theatrical release, but the idea was scrapped after several theaters
threatened not to show the film in protest. Although digital promises an exciting new world of
distribution, the business of film has yet to catch up with this idea.

PRESERVATION

The preservation of film isn’t something we think about as consumers, but it’s the very reason we
still have re-mastered copies of Ben Hurr and the Star Wars trilogy. Film will crumble and damage
over time, and it’s extremely flammable too. There are simply too many methods for film to outlive
its usefulness. Digital films can be stored on company servers, without taking up too much space.
The costs to maintain this infrastructure are also lower than the costs to store and re-master film.

Digital archives are also easy to backup and restore. Pixar had a now famous incident when creating
Toy Story 2, where one of the animators lost almost the entire film working on it at home thanks to a
bad backup. Aside from this small gaffe, the backup system has allowed production companies
access to earlier versions of a film, as well as a source to store shots used for dailies and extras.

Without technology, it would be nearly impossible for Hollywood to produce the volume of films
that it does. Film might be a nice thought for that vintage feel, but the practicalities of digital have
largely put the film versus digital debate to rest.

COMPUTER-GENERATED IMAGERY (CGI)

Computer-generated imagery means computer graphics being applied into movie industry to create
special effects. Compared to other physical means, CGI is a cheaper alternative because it uses
computer software to create images instead of constructing real and physical settings.

The first ever movie that used computer-generated imagery was ‘Westworld’ in year 1973. It was a
science fiction that incorporate both robots and humans. Also, famous movies like ‘Star Wars’ and
‘Star Trek II’ were also able to produce effects like laser guns and robot motion. In the ‘Terminator’,
computer-generated imagery created digital scenes in the robot.

CGI, especially in two dimensions was greatly used in traditional animated films as it replaced the
role of manually illustrated cells. Since then, it became a significant technology used to create
special effects in the movie industry. This then promoted and encouraged the great usage of
animation and three dimensions (3D).

Usually, CGI for films are about 1.4 to 6 megapixels, where one frame is generally around 2 to 3
hours long which can multiple to ten times for more complex scenes.

Computer-generated imagery was also used in created the film ‘Star Wars’.

ANIMATION

Animation is a series of images in the form of two dimensional or three-dimensional art work that
are display rapidly to produce an illusion of movement.

The earliest animation said to be found is the Paleolithic cave paintings. In these paintings, objects
are drawn in superimposed positions that clearly try to convey the idea of motion. However, in year
1906, J. Stuart Blackton, a newspaper cartoonist, released the first ever fully animated film,
‘Humorous Phases of Funny Faces’.

The Paleolithic cave painting shows movement in an animation way.

There are many types of animations that can be used in making a movie. The traditional animation,
which is also known as cell animation or hand drawn animation, was broadly used in the 20th
century. This involves many individual frames first drawn on papers that differ a little from the
previous. These frames are then photocopied onto transparent sheets called cells, which can be
photographed by a rostrum camera to produce motion. Classic Disney animated films like ‘Snow
White’ and ‘Aladdin’ are produced using this technique.
Traditional animation is manual and is drawn in multiple frames.

As computer generated imagery (CGI) is used increasingly, animation can be done by using
computers. The first entirely computer-generated animated film is ‘Toy Story’, in year 1995.
Computer animation simply means creating moving objects by using programs or software designed
for computers. Consequently, this has caused the invention of two dimensional (2D) animations.
Figures are created and edited using two-dimensional bitmap graphics or two-dimensional vector
graphics. However, trained professionals are required to produce animations like this as it involves
techniques and skills.

Toy Story, the first fully computer-generated animated film.

THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D)

Three-dimension computer graphics are graphics which use three-dimensional representation data
geometrically. These graphics will then be stored to calculate and render two dimensional images.
These graphics often use many algorithms to generate images. A typical two-dimensional image
would only show height and width. However, a three-dimensional image could show height, width
and even depth. This gives the idea of realistic instead of virtual.

Animation can also be done in three dimension. An animator can use the digital skeletal structure to
control the mesh. Besides that, mathematical functions can also be used to created three
dimensional animation.

3D, or stereoscopic 3D uses the illusion of the depth perception to create realistic images. It can be
produced using few methods. In an anaglyph, two images are located at a superimposed position
with a light filtering two colors, red and cyan. By wearing the 3D glasses, the two images are
cancelled out to produce only one image. That is the earlier 3D images used in movie making.

An anaglyph image.

A pair of anaglyph 3D glasses.

In the polarization systems, similarly, two images are located at a superimposed position through
different polarizing filters. By wearing a pair of glasses that contain polarizing filters, each filter can
only pass through similar polarized light but blocks different polarized lights, causing each eyes to
see different images.
A polarized 3D image.

Polarized 3D glasses.

NEWS

Report predicts key film industry changes over next 5 years

The consumer relationship

The report suggests, “Pressures on the window system, territoriality and other aspects of the
traditional funding model necessitate completely new approaches to monetising audience attention.
In this, TV is far ahead of film, but born-digital services have the most advantages: a direct consumer
relationship, access to data, and no traditional ways of doing things inherited from another media
landscape or another century.”

Claus Ladegaard, the new CEO of the Danish Film Institute said in the report, “Somehow it really
thrills me that we can win, or we can fail. We can lose it all within the next 2, 4, 6 years! But I also
think we can win. We can emerge, as a film industry, better and with more impact than we had
before. But we need to be very clever, discuss, make the right decisions. Making the right decisions
is much more important now than it was 5 or 10 years ago. Then the situation was stable, it was
about which films to fund. Now it has to do with how we choose to design the whole funding system
and develop the film industry in the future.”

Edith Sepp, CEO of the Estonian Film Institute added: “I think it would be good to move the emphasis
[of the support schemes] from production to development and distribution…I think every single film
has a very specific, maybe even small audience. We just have to find it.”

The theatrical experience

Cinemas have an important place in the “experience economy” but “cinemas cannot be responsible
for the first run of all releases. Different paths through the theatrical window would be a logical
solution. Some kind of compromise from exhibitors on holdbacks is expected in the next few years.”

With a more selective theatrical offering, Europe needs to produce more hits with high production
values.

Patrick von Sychowski, editor of Celluloid Junkie, told the report: “A worrying trend is this major
consolidation drive, with big cinema chains buying up medium cinema chains and becoming global,
gigantic cinema corporations. In a way they have to be that, because of [the pressure from the]
consolidated Hollywood studios, and technology companies like Netflix and Apple. But a lot of the
innovation and daring crazy ideas come from the small to medium-sized cinema operators — the
Alamo Drafthouse, the iPics, the Everyman Cinemas, Bio Rio in Stockholm. If we only have these
global corporations, then we don’t have a healthy ecosystem, in which new ideas, new trends, new
types of films, and new audiences can find a home.”

Digital services across film and TV

In the digital world, especially for TV, the report writes, “Distinctions between linear and library
services as well as between free and premium brands are blurring… Film does not perform well in
linear, and acquisitions for the on-demand players are often in uncomfortable competition with all
other streaming platforms. VOD services are only starting to identify how to effectively premiere
feature length content. Transactional VOD is still expected to grow in significance.”

Smaller European services will continue to exist alongside the big US players. “As the competition is
not for sales or box office dollars, but for audience attention, relevance will be as important as
quality and production value.”

Marie Nilsson, CEO of Mediavision, said in the report, “TVOD has started out very slowly, but over
time I can’t imagine that the vast majority of the audience would not find films interesting. What
used to be DVD or Blu-Ray should arguably be able to move to TVOD, which is a better distribution
channel in so many ways. During 2017 we’ve actually seen some small growth… Assuming that the
film industry manages to maintain [windows of any kind], then TVOD should grow over time.”

Walter Iuzzolino, co-creator of Walter Presents, added, “We are in the middle of a terrible war, and
then there will be a marriage. In five years I genuinely think that the integration of streaming and TV
will have been, if not completed, then 75% advanced.”

He added, “I think some TV channels will literally become joint ventures with the giant streamers,
and Netflix will buy channels. Because Netflix are brilliant at colonizing the world, but they don’t
have the marketing real estate in terms of being able to shape the national conversation.”

Gender parity

Time’s Up is very welcome movement, and change is indeed coming, but “the abysmal starting
situation means that reaching full gender parity will take rather more than five years,” Nostradamus
predicts.

The report suggests, “All over the world, women in the film industry are organising themselves to
put pressure on decision makers. Audience groups are advocating online against sexism and racism
in hiring decisions, casting and representation. It would be a shame if traditional film industry
decision-makers — those who do not trust women to produce, write or direct — decided to gamble
the box office on maintaining the status quo.”

SUMMARY

Filmmaking is a process of producing a film based on a storyline. Although many people say, a movie
is good if it has a successful plot, however, a movie needs also good production in order to be
classified as a good movie.

The history of filmmaking can be traced back to as early as the 17th century, where magic lanterns
were used. Back then, films were all made in shades of black and white only. Also, many of the
times, special effects are done manually by workers. For example, an explosion, many workers will
be needed to install those explosives and to clear up the scene. As time progressed, technology
improved the quality of films largely, thus producing colored films. However, such improvements do
not halt there. Movie makers and producers worked endlessly to create films that leave people in
awe. Therefore, the creations of computer-generated imagery, animation and 3D have been
invented and improved. Such creations have moved the movie industry one step forward. Using the
same explosion example, compared to last time, with advance computer technologies, such a scene
will not require a whole lot of work from the workers. Instead, it can be easily done in the editing
room, where editors can easily add special effects into the movie, making it look realistic, but
without much hard work.

Movies capture the imagination of the creative and project them to the masses with seamingly
relative ease. Nothing could be further from the truth. It takes hundreds and sometimes thousands
of people to make most movies. Simply sit through the credits next time you go to the cinema or
watch a movie at home.

Up until the turn of the 21st century, the moviemaking process relied on mechanisms designed
specifically for this purpose. Relying on the analog system of capturing light on film or videotape,
filmmaking (as it was called then) was limited, despite decades of adjustments to tactics and
content. With digital systems now integrated into every aspect of life, the movie making process has
been altered forever.

The editing table was first to go. Late in the 20th century, software developers were creating all
types of new applications for the visual arts. As processing power and storage began to become
more powerful, albeit very costly at the time, editors looked to the enhanced capabilities that digital
post production can present editors, directors, and producers. Nowadays, much of the process is not
only digitized, but being stored on virtual storage, and uses virtual processing to complete the tasks
that just 20 short years ago would be done by one man with what amounts to a sophisticated pair of
scissors.

With the advent and utilization of all these new digital systems, management of the hardware,
software, and networks is essential to the success of the project. After all, consider how much
computing power it takes to make a digital feature-length motion picture. Each step of the
moviemaking process leans on computing power.

INTRODUCTION
Movies, also known as films, are a type of visual communication which uses moving pictures and
sound to tell stories or inform (help people to learn). People in every part of the world watch movies
as a type of entertainment, a way to have fun. For some people, fun movies can mean movies that
make them laugh, while for others it can mean movies that make them cry, or feel afraid.

Most movies are made so that they can be shown on big screens at movie theatres and at home.
After movies are shown on movie screens for a period of weeks or months, they may be marketed
through several other media. They are shown on pay television or cable television, and sold or
rented on DVD disks or videocassette tapes, so that people can watch the movies at home. You can
also download or stream movies. Older movies are shown on television broadcasting stations.

It is a fact that technologies used on movie sets today have changed the way movies are made and
the way people watch them. In cinemas today, 2D is no longer the only option, what with 3D and
IMAX thrown into the mix. But if you think it’s amazing to watch a movie and feel like you’re a part
of it, imagine what the film crew and the actors have to go through to deliver such a fantastic movie
experience. If you’re no stranger to behind-the-scene shots, then you probably have a good idea
what directors and a production team employ to create a fantastic film.

The battle scenes in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, for example, weren’t made with the participation
of thousands of people in full ensemble, but through the use of a new technology called Multiple
Agent Simulatin System in Virtual Environment or MASSIVE. It was created by New Zealander
Stephen Regelous and was used to populate battle scenes by the tens of thousands. Without it,
Peter Jackson would have to hire a lot of people to play the role of Orcs, elves and humans. Because
technology doesn’t sleep, newer advancements are set to revolutionize filmmaking.

Compared to movies in the past, today's theatres offer more diversified experiences to their
audiences, especially with the spread of IMAX, 3D technologies and the frequent use of CGI. So
where will future's filmmaking lead us to? That’s one of the topics discussed here at the film tech
forum.
Movies are a technological art, which is a boon for filmmakers—their art stands on the shoulders of industrial giants who
made it possible to capture motion on film and video—as well as a severe challenge. The greatest directors are more than
artists; they’re also technological innovators who push the tools of the medium and, sometimes, even discover or invent
new ones. If every new invention begins as a miracle, turns into a necessity, and ends up as a vice, the art of filmmaking is
in the restoration of its miraculous aspect. In recent years, great movies have been made with a varied range of devices,
including consumer-grade video cameras, toy cameras, iPhones, and even pieced together from footage borrowed from
the Internet. But whether a movie is made with grand Hollywood equipment or with ordinary devices, there’s nothing
banal about a great cinematic image; as the cinematographer Caroline Champetier said in a recent interview, “a beautiful
shot is always a birth.”

The artistry of innovative technology has been a constant from the very beginning of movies, and the history of the art
has always advanced in step with technical invention—as well as with the inventiveness of filmmakers in finding uses for