Technical Communications
Executive Summary
Filmmaking, like everything else, has benefitted from the development of technology. However, this evolution was slow but fruitful, enhancing the world of filmmaking, the quality of the film, and the skills of th filmmakers. From the simple idea of Louis and August Lumier, the French brothers who first screened the short film they were able to take, to the development of the phenakistoscope, or the kinetoscope, by Simon Stampfer and Joseph Plateau, the development of filmmaking technology kept moving forward.
Thomas Alva Edisonand Kennedy Laurie Dickson were the first to show one shot films without any camera tricks, and that despite being neutral, they came out as a stylistic presentation of view through the use of cinematic gesture. Later on, shooting started outdoors, with the focus on different distances that enabled the filmmakers to focus on detail and emotion using analytical editing. From then on, editing became the focus, with the application of technological editing, which then helped filmmakers to develop their abilities in taking shots. Several other developments came, with the addition of sound and color later on integrated in the movies.
Today, the movie experience has improved even more with the development of filmmaking tools and gadgets that helped improve the qulity of movies. Instead of shooting in far-away places, everything can be done inside the studio. From the large cameras, they have become smaller and more effective in capturing scenes which are then enhanced by the high technology in editing. Everything is noe possible, and despite the many developments, filmmaking will continue to evolve as man’s creative mind continue to work.
Executive Summary.ii
List of Figures..iv
Introduction1
History of Filmmaking.1
Introduction of Sound3
Introduction of Color3
New Technologies4
Conclusion..5
References..6
Figure 1.page #
Figure 2 page #
Figure 3..page #
Figure 1. The phenakistoscope or kinetoscope
Figure 2. An image of the Workers Leaving the Factory by Lumiere (1896)
Figure 3. The night vision goggles used in Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Introduction
The world of film is very intriguing because almost everything that people believe are impossible can only happen there. People can appear out of nowhere and disappear again to go to some unknown and far-away place. Man can go to the moon or Mars or any other unexplored planet and study what is there, making sure that it is viable for humans to live in. Cars, ships, and carpets can all fly, while animals talk and think like humans do. Truly, there is nothing more magical than the world of film, which makes it a highly interesting topic to explore. This report will focus on the evolution of filmmaking. The discussion will begin from the first film that was ever created using the technology that was available back then. From the silent black and white films, the discussion will move on to the new technology that is now being used in filmmaking.
History of Filmmaking
The history of film began in the 1890s, after the invention of the motion picture camera was completed. In 1895, the world’s first commercial movie, which was created by French brothers Louis and August Lumier, was screened at the Grand Cafe in Paris (“This Day,” 2016). It was just a short film, showing the workers working in their factories leaving for home. From that random scene, the brothers started recording a series of short scenes which depict the daily lives of the French. These small beginnings in film became possible through the development of movie technology which was initiated by Austrian Simon Stampfer and Belgian Joseph Plateau. Their genius produced what was called the ‘phenakistoscope’ or simply kinetoscope, which was later on used with a spinning disc that had slots from which one could view a series of drawings (“This Day,” 2016). As one spins the disc, the pictures inside move and creates a moving image.
Early cinema’s goal was not as simple as neutrally recording previously existing acts or events. This was the reason why despite the neutral recording which was only composed of one shot with no camera tricks came out as a stylistic presentation of view with the use of cinematic gesture (Paccirillo, 2011). Thomas Alva Edison and Kennedy Laurie Dickson’s first films were rather simple, mostly just short glimpses of sports figures, some scenes taken from famous vaudeville accts, or performances of dancers and acrobats (Paccirillo, 2011). These films only lasted a little over 20 seconds, the longest that could be recorded by the Kinetoscope. With the establishment of Cinematographe by the Lumiere Brothers in 1985, filmmakers were able to go out of the studio and started shooting on location (Paccirillo, 2011). From then on, films such as Workers Leaving the Factory by Lumiere (1896) could be made. Shortly after, after the development of the toolset of filmmakers which started from Edison and Dickson, filmmakers were able to shoot scenes in light controlled studio. Despite these advancements, the quality of films did not, by any chance, improve, but the practice and style of making movies evolved.
George Melie’s Trip to the Moon (1902) exhibited single shot display scenes, while The Cheat (1915) by Cecil B. DeMille showed shots from different distances in order to focus more on detail and emotion using analytical editing (Paccirillo, 2011). This started the evolution of editing, with technological editing evident in the Soviet montage movement of the 1920s, which was highly influenced by the Constructivist (Paccirillo, 2011). Editing had a larger room to grow in montage films as they have more number of shots compared to any other type of film created in that era. Despite the application of technological editing, montage films rose to fame due to the “more specific strategies of editing,” which incorporated “temporal, spatial, and graphic tensions” (as cited in Piccirillo). This development in editing allowed for more focused on the filmmaker’s ability to figure out the differences among the shots, which could involve light against dark, slow motion against fast movement, and others. The film October (1928) by Sergei Einstein showed another evolution in film, which was the use of intervals to make the shots appear as if they are clashing with one another in order to form a new idea. The use of striking composition within each single shot was practiced by both French Impressionists and German expressionists, which applied what was termed as photogenie, which separated the film shot from its original source of photographed objet (Paccirillo, 2011). This style was made possible by cameras which are able to isolate objects from their environment through black-and-white film stock which changed their appearance, while they are further changed by the special optical effects (Paccirillo, 2011). From this practice and technology, superimposition was able to show the thoughts and/or memories of the characters, while the filter that was placed over the lens implied subjectivity (Paccirillo, 2011).
Introduction of Sound
In 1927, the first synchronized sound was used in the movie The Jazz Singer by Crosland (1927). This adoption of sound started the change from silent movies to talking movies, however, the evolution took on many steps and challenges. Initial problems originated from the microphones as they were too insensitive and the voice and diction of the actors were hard to understand. Later on, with the improvements in microphones, the invention of multiple-track sound recording, and the development of syncing methods, the incorporation of sound became permanent in movies. M by Fritz Lange (1931) made effective use of audible dialogue, with sound as a motif of the film (Paccirillo, 2011).
Introduction of Color
Color in films came in after filmmakers recognized its importance in providing information regarding the narrative situation which would make it easier for the spectators to understand the movie. The Great Train Robbery first used stenciling before the color was transferred to some parts of the frame after photography (Paccirillo, 2011). In 1930s, Technicolor developed and launched their three-strip coloring process and some filmmakers started using it; however, Citizen Cane, a renowned film, did not apply Technicolor as it was created during the early launch of the product. Despite the lack of color, the movie made use of other technology in filmmaking, such as synchronized sound. The film represents the possibilities offered by technological evolution.
New Technologies
Today, one noticeable change in filmmaking is the absence of film, which used to be the medium of filmmakers in the past. Development in technology has given way to digital recording as film come with several advantages. One of which is that it is costly because it cannot be reused. Also, during the shooting, there should be footages that can be used from what were recorded because otherwise, all the films and other resource used that day would go to waste.
Money is also spent when cinematographers develop them. The use of digital in recording movies is also advantageous when it comes to editing. It is easier to add visual effects in digital recordings which is not as easy to do in film. Digital effects are also easily created, as well as piecing the scenes together after the effects are all incorporated (Matthau, 2012). One of these effects is audio, which compared to what they used before, is now in high definition digital file that makes sure that the moviegoers will be able to hear all the actions and words (Matthau, 2012). As such, with the incorporation of all the effects, the film ends up clean that even if CGI, another technology used in filmmaking today, is used, it is difficult to tell. Digital recording is also very useful in shooting the scenes as it enables filmmakers to do more in less amount of time. By using multiple cameras, every angle in a scene being shot can be captured, which minimizes the need for retakes (Matthau, 2012).
In a more sophisticated side of technology development in filmmaking, 3D printing is one great contribution in terms of design. Through the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI), as well as the computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing is able to create props that would help create a more realistic setting for every scene being shot. Some of the impressive examples of 3D products are the night vision goggles used in the movie Zero Dark Thirty and the full-scale exterior of a tank that was used as an action-piece for the movie Fast & Furious 6 (Sheldon-Hicks, 2015).
On the other hand, filming today is able to record and show 24 frames per second, which until recently, was a standard in the industry. However, the movie The Hobbit was able to use 48 frames per second and was able to show a more immersive and impressive visual rendition of the movie (Motion Picture Association of America, 2016). The standard 35mm cameras which are commonly used in movies today are also being replaced by Red One Digital cameras, which are a light smaller, lighter, and easier to carry without sacrificing the quality of the images. In addition, the invention and use of virtual backlots can now show scenes wherein the actors seem to be in far flung places without really having to go to the said places.
Conclusion
The world of filmmaking continues to evolve quietly and gives the moviegoers new and fresh experience every time. From its conception which was composed of short videos from single shots taken, devoid of any color or sound, filmmaking has now become a simple yet complicated process that involves several technical and artistic skills from man. what can be concluded from the evolution of filmmaking is that, behind the modern and sophisticated inventions, the inventiveness of man made it all possible.
References
Matthau, C. (2012). How tech has shaped filmmaking: The film vs. digital debate is put to rest. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/insights/2015/01/how-tech-shaped-film-making
Motion Picture Association of America. (2016). Technology and innovation. Retrieved from http://www.mpaa.org/technology-and-innovation/
Piccirillo, R. A. (2011). The technological evolution of filmmaking and its relation to quality in cinema. Student Pulse 3(8). Retrieved from http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/560
Sheldon-Hicks, D. (2015, June 12). “Five ways film-making is evolving thanks to new technology. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/2015/jun/12/film-technology-evolution-film-making-3d-printing-vr-motion-capture
This day in history: December 28, 1895: First commercial movie screened. (2016). History. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-commercial-movie-screened
