Just as story evolved to incorporate film, film itself is evolving constantly. As new technological advancements in film are achieved it gives the film maker more room to work with and more possible ways to tell the story. Before synchronous sound there was the silent age of film characterized by slapstick acting being used a tool to convey the characters' emotions and the idea of the story, but with the incorporation of synchronous sound into film the film maker was than able to use dialogue, and sound to convey a message, idea, concept, or the feelings of a character. Color too which is often taken for granted was not always an available asset to the film maker. The Wizard of Oz does a great job illustrating the effect of color on the plot of a film. While in Kansas Dorothy's world is conveyed in black and white. However, the land of Oz is displayed to us in color giving dynamic to the film that otherwise wouldn't be there if the film were done in entirely black and white or color.
Advances in equipment such as portable devices and camera rigs gave film a completely different feel than what audiences were accustomed to by shooting of film on big Hollywood sets. On sight shooting a different shots while seemingly replicable give film a different feel when authentic.
Digital film and DSLR combined with the ability to use CGI that they come with have most recently effected the ways in which films are made. In the era of the photochemical chemical film process the film maker could only really do well on camera what could actually be done in real life. For instance, a sequence in which Spider-Man may be seen swinging by web from street light to street light in New York City could not have been done in the same capacity in 1950 as it was in the most recent 2012 Spider-Man film, The Amazing Spider-Man. The effect of digital film on the film industry is further examined in Side by Side.
Moreover, while the way in which film can be made continues to change the quality of the story remains relatively the same. For example, Casablanca and Django Unchained are two completely different movies separated by decades both are still quality films and one can't seriously argue that Django Unchained is a better film simply because it is newer.
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ReplyDeleteIt's incredible how much film technology has evolved in the past century. The first talking feature film premiered in 1927, only 86 years ago. Now, even the CGI of ten-or-so years ago seems primitive to us. But still, no matter what, we're still telling the same types of stories-- just with more explosions.
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate what you said at the end about the quality of story. I know so many people that refuse to watch silent films or films in black and white. They dismiss them as inferior even though the quality of the stories they tell are often as good as (or much better than) the new movies they watch.
This was really interesting. I think about this a lot, actually. How technology has advanced so much in ways where we can tell a story. While it's true that it doesn't take millions of dollars worth of equipment to be "good", I think that great cinematography can help us immerse ourselves in a story more. Take Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" for example. Peter Jackson is the most revolutionary director so far. He has used technologies never seen in theaters before (such as 40fps) , and for me, it gives me a better experience in Middle Earth. I can imagine myself in Mirkwood and Erebor because of the technology. Not that a book can't do that as well, but I think movies aid us in the immersion process.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing to think how storytelling and film have evolved over time. I mean going from silent black and white films to film full of sound and color. I've always been interested in the evolution of film and love the techniques film makers use to convey their message and ideas. For example in the "Wizard of Oz" color was available to the film makers but they ingenuously made the beginning and end of the movie in black and white. When Dorothy goes to the magical land of Oz there is an explosion of color that not only catches our eye but lets us know that we've just entered a new world. Today, with the technology available to us we can convey messages using very difficult filming techniques like Spiderman's web swinging from street light to street light. Film is constantly growing and evolving allowing us to not only tell the stories but also make us experience stories in ways we never could before.
ReplyDeleteThis brings to mind the fact that (lack of) technology used to limit certain stories to the printed page. While books still offer a different experience than film, one in which the reader must 'participate' by interpreting the words into a mental image, books are no longer the only option in telling certain kinds of stories.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I've been meaning to watch "Side By Side." This reminds me to check it out.