PREFACE

The purpose of this report is to discuss about the introduction of new

technologies and their applications in the film industry. The report
discusses about the various new technologies that are presently being
used and also about those which are to be implemented in the future.
In the report we also analyse the transformation which the film
industries of different countries have experienced.

I would like to gratefully acknowledge the contribution of my teacher

for guiding me to complete my report.

The report has indeed helped me to explore more about the topic and I
am sure that it will help me in my future.

SIGNATURE

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CONTENTS

Sl No. Topic Page No.

1. List of Illustrations 3.
2. Summary 4.
3. Introduction 5. – 7.
4. Findings 8. – 28.
5. Conclusion 29.
6. Recommendations 30.
7. References/ Bibliography 30.
8. Web Resources 30.
9. Appendix 31.
10. Glossary 31.

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Sl. No. Topic Page No.

1. Better Lighting Design 10.
and Balance

2. AI Sound Design 11.

3. Digital filmmaking 18.
4. Preservation 22.
5. COMPUTER- 23.
GENERATED IMAGERY
(CGI)

6. ANIMATION 24.
7. THREE DIMENSIONAL 25
(3D)

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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,

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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

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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 these advances. It’s a subject
that my colleague Cassie da Costa (who’s now a writer-at-large at Medium) and I have long
discussed at the coffee machine and between screenings, and we’ve kept that conversation
going in front of a trio of video cameras—where the simple fact of being able to keep the
cameras running, not having to interrupt the discussion to change reels of film (as was done
before the age of video) changes the very nature of the conversation in ways that we may
still be reckoning with. Those changes and others of the sort—including the development of
sound films, the portable tape recorder, steadicam, small high-definition-video cameras,
and Internet streaming—which Cassie and I discuss here, are being met and probed by the
great directors of our time and transformed into surprising and wondrous elements of their
art.

The Importance of Technology in the Movies

Technology plays a pivotal role in the world of moviemaking, both in front of and behind the
camera. So many of our biggest blockbusters are the products of technical innovation and
many feature the kind of awesome future tech that is integral to the plot. Like the original
Independence Day, that not only featured the superior alien technology of laser beams and
force fields but also a little laptop that managed to upload a computer virus to the
mothership and save humanity.

The kind of technology we see on screen is often a product of fiction, created by the
Production Designers of a feature film to convince us they can do the impossible. These days
it’s easy to spot movies using real world tech and applications, especially when it feels
inorganic to whatever you’re watching. Like when Peter Parker pulls out his laptop in The
Amazing Spider-Man and uses Bing as his search engine – you could almost hear the sound

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of the record scratching as the audience utter ‘say what?’. The moment feels false because
what teenager uses Bing as their search engine? I’m guessing very few.
We’re used to seeing computers in movies, but it’s rarely an organic integration or
realistically portrayed. Every so often we get a movie that actually showcases a product
appropriately, like Ridley Scott’s The Martian. If you’re going to make a movie about a guy
surviving the harsh conditions of Mars or when you see Tom Hanks trudging through the
desert in Tom Twyker’s A Hologram for the King, you better make sure he’s using a laptop
like a Panasonic Toughbook that can actually withstand the elements. Suspension of
disbelief is one thing, but there’s something to be said for having high tech, real world
devices that help bring some legitimacy to a scenario.
Take a modern military movie like American Sniper. When you ‘re watching a film about
characters dealing with hellish conditions, constant gunfire, and explosions from IED’s you
would expect the kind of equipment featured would be realistically portrayed. It would
seem odd to see Bradley Cooper using some base model laptop in a landscape where the
temperatures top out at 50° Celsius. Surrounded by dust, gunfire, and explosions, the
Toughbook CF-31 was a smart choice as it is both vibration and shock resistant. It’s these
kinds of details that help make a film and plot more believable.
Even the over the top action of the Fast & Furious films benefit from using realistic
technology such as the Toughbook. What kind of technology do you expect to see when a
bunch of renegade muscle car drivers are planning a heist? If Dominic Toretto had whipped
out some chintzy looking tablet whose screen would’ve crack the first time you dropped it,
you’d wonder how they’d be able to orchestrate the manoeuvres needed to drag a bank
vault through the streets of Rio.
Using products like the Panasonic Toughbook brings legitimacy to military themed movies
like American Sniper, Shooter, and Rendition. However, the multi-purpose Toughbook has
also played an important role in many Hollywood blockbusters, be it braving the elements
on Mars alongside Matt Damon in The Martian, helping Angelina Jolie to locate the Lunar
Temple in Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, or analysing potential threats and organising
family schedules for Vin Diesel in The Pacifier.
The right technology helps sell the illusion of reality. It helps compliment the moment even
though you might not have noticed it was there. That’s the value of reliable and realistic
technology in film.

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FINDINGS

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, colour 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.
It is much of a 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 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.

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.

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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.

6 New Ways Technology Improves Film Production

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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 (2002/03) and
The Shining (1980).

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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.

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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.

Digital Era of Filmmaking – What are the Major Changes?

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 mobile 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.

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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 are 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.

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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 of poles apart. In the
past, users were 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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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

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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.
Right to films are already distributed to consumers digitally, but this market has not been
fully tapped. There 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)

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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

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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)

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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 dimensions. 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.
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 eye to see different images.

1. A polarized 3D images.
2. Polarized 3D glasses.

THE CONSUMER RELATIONSHIP

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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

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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 predict.

HOW WILL THE CINEMA EXPERIENCE CHANGE?

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 OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

Over the past few years there’s been some huge changes in the television landscape.
Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu have changed television
culture. Binge-watching is rife while the experience of watching scheduled TV is
diminishing.
Meanwhile, the film industry has, for the most part, been stuck in its ways. The kinds of films
we’ve seen are certainly evolving (with more diverse voices being brought to the table.)
However, in terms of the way we watch films, we haven’t seen any massive advances
recently.
That being said, there are certainly rumblings of innovation on the horizon. VR has been
represented in some form at most of the major film festivals. 4D cinemas have started
popping up around world, offering film experiences outside of simple tourist attractions. The
National Theatre in the UK even used AR in a production.
The real question is, can any of these new technologies stick and capture the public’s
imagination? And will cinemas have the funds and resources to offer them?

THE LITTLE THINGS

These are some of the innovations that could change cinema as a whole, but perhaps the
things that will change the way we watch films most are the side-attractions.

AMC cinemas have trialled mobile-friendly cinemas. Marvel even created an app to use
alongside watching their films which offers trivia and other cool bits and pieces for movie-
goers. All this is perfect for millennials’ shortening attention spans.

In addition, at London’s Festival of Marketing 2017, VUE executives talked about using
personalisation to upgrade the cinema-going experience. A dedicated app will recommend
films to viewers depending on what they’ve already seen at the cinema, and offer exclusive
discounts and offers.

Plus, boutique cinemas are becoming more and more prevalent. More comfortable, bespoke
cinema experiences are becoming the norm. These might not change the way we view films,
but they could change the way we experience them.

It’s impossible to predict the future, but one thing’s for sure. Change is coming, and it’s
going to hit us before we know it.

CONCLUSION

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Filmmaking has always been propelled by technology. In the 1950’s, 3D ruled the local
movie houses. Advances in camera technology and practical special effects propelled
blockbusters like Star Wars, back to the Future, and Jurassic Park through the 1980s and
1990s. Nowadays, sometimes practically whole films are computer generated.
Virtual reality still has a way to go before it's adopted wholly by the film industry to make
movies, but it's already beating a path to the box office.
As Hollywood prepares to honour the world’s elite creative talent at the Academy Awards®,
the subject of how technology is influencing the art of filmmaking is once again a topic of
conversation.
Powerful laser projection, expanded color gamut, and high dynamic range imaging offer
filmmakers the tools to reveal their vision in new ways and share that experience with
audiences around the world.
Laser illumination now produces light so efficiently that Dolby Cinema images are projected
with more than twice the brightness of conventional digital projectors. Expanded color gamut
has given filmmakers access to a new palette of colors, allowing audiences to experience a
stunning new world of vivid imagery. High dynamic range imaging allows us to see shadow
detail like never before. Highlights are brighter and darks are transformed from murky grey
to profoundly black.
The history of film has been one long dance between art and technology. With each technical
innovation, be it sound, color, or widescreen imagery, filmmakers have embraced the tools
introduced and continued to push the art form in new directions. As someone who began his
career in post-production, it’s exciting for me to see the different ways filmmakers are using
the wide color gamut and high dynamic range that are now available through the combination
of powerful laser projectors and Dolby Vision.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation systems are an important part of suggesting items especially
in streaming services. Using the MovieLens dataset, we explore the use of deep

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learning to predict users' ratings on new movies, thereby enabling movie
recommendations.

The confluence of three developments—the changing nature of publication in

the digital world, the increasing use of licensing rather than sale, and the use of
technical protection services—creates unprecedented opportunities for
individuals to access information in improved and novel ways, but also could
have a negative impact on public access to information. Developments over
time should be monitored closely.

REFERENCES /BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia.
 Technology & Films

WEB RESOURCES
1. https://blog.ozobot.com/2018/01/04/how-technology-continues-to-revolutionize-the-
film-industry/
2. https://moneyinc.com/types-of-movie-technology/
3. https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2016/06/the-importance-of-technology-in-the-
movies/
4. https://www.idtech.com/blog/how-hollywood-is-using-virtual-reality-to-make-movies

APPENDIX
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recommender_system

 https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/technology/innovation/7-advances-in-technology-
that-have-revolutionized-the-film-industry/

 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8424686/

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GLOSSARY

 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): - Artificial intelligence (AI) is

an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent
machines that work and react like humans. Some of the activities
computers with artificial intelligence are designed for include: Speech
recognition.
 VIRTUAL REALITY(VR): - the computer-generated simulation of a
three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a
seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic
equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with
sensors.

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