GUEST EDITORIAL: How Technology Is Changing the Film Industry

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How Technology Is Changing the Film Industry

by Jean Hartley

Cinematography is both high art and a business space with its own tasks and goals. At the same time, the film industry as a high-tech market must comply with major technical and social trends, taking into account changes in consumer behavior patterns and new technologies. 

Cloud technologies

From its very inception, cinematography has been a dense system of international relations. Cloud technologies help filmmakers and producers expand the possibilities for co-production in movies and erase geographical boundaries between participants in production from different cities and countries. "Clouds", which have become common in almost any business, allow filmmakers to significantly reduce postproduction time. With cloud services technologies such as Cloud Virtual Desktop and Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, several teams from different parts of the world can simultaneously edit a film and create visual effects for it, saving on the associated costs. 

Neural networks that rejuvenate actors and make them dancers

Neural networks in cinema can greatly simplify the process of developing computer graphics, in addition, they have great prospects for creating visual effects for films. Today, the potential of neural networks to replace faces is in the spotlight. These capabilities are being actively explored, for example, by Reddit users who are replacing the main characters of famous movies such as Indiana Jones and Man of Steel with Nicolas Cage. Modern AI algorithms can rejuvenate characters in sequels of famous movies, make poorly plastic actors professional dancers, are used in artistic sex scenes, and achieve other rather spectacular results. 

Neural networks for writing scripts and staging films

Another use of neural networks in movies could be their participation in scriptwriting, editing and film production. So far, feature films and animation created by artificial intelligence leave much to be desired, but experts believe that in the near future neural networks can significantly help screenwriters, directors and editors to work on films. 

Virtual reality

Since the presentation of Oculus Rift glasses in 2012, moviegoers are actively thinking about creating a full-length VR-movie. However, the emergence of such a product is held back by at least two problems. First, many of today's virtual reality helmets are not capable of reducing head movement lag to no more than 20 milliseconds. As a result, people experience nausea and headaches after using them for a long time. Secondly, when it comes to a 360-degree image, there is a problem of focusing the viewer's attention. Under such conditions, conventional cinematographic methods do not work and it is quite difficult for directors to let the viewer know exactly what to pay attention to. 

Mobile cinema

Modern smartphones are capable of shooting high quality video and can already challenge some professional cameras. The possibilities of mobile cinema are being explored by major directors such as Michael Haneke and Steven Soderbergh, as well as by renowned world film festivals. But from a more practical point of view, this technology could be a good solution for amateur filmmakers, film students and aspiring filmmakers who do not have a large budget. As a result, perhaps the face of the industry itself will change. 

Digital vs. film

After the advent of the first digital cameras in the cinema equipment manufacturers continue to develop even more compact and functional "pocket" devices, such as film cameras RED One. Shrinking camera sizes can have a significant impact on both the filmmaking process and the narrative component of films. The question "film or digital" is still asked by many famous authors, and some of them even today do not see an alternative to the quality of the image on film and the convenience of working with this format. 

Portable camera stabilizers and drones replacing the operator

New stabilization systems for cameras and drones that shoot high quality video from the air can also help operators and simplify the shooting process. The 1970s revolutionized filmmaking with the invention of the Steadicam, a wearable mechanical system used to stabilize the camera. This tool is very convenient, but the Steadicam requires years of experience and remarkable physical strength from the operator. Besides, this system is very expensive for independent filmmakers. The way out could be portable stabilization systems, which are cheaper, lighter and easier to operate than their traditional counterparts. 

Streaming platforms and the Netflix revolution

Technology is undergoing significant changes in the film industry, affecting the way movies are consumed. A major trend in this area is the reorientation of the market toward streaming platforms. The Netflix revolution, which cinematographers are talking about and which the Cannes Film Festival leadership has been unofficially fighting since 2018, could shift or completely replace the traditional model of consumer behavior of the viewer, which suggests that in order to watch a new film, the viewer must come to the theater. As a result, according to experts, streaming platforms will finally deploy moviegoers to use gadgets.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jean S. Hartley is a professional writer for kingessays.com. She helps students learn to write correctly and also helps them prepare for exams. Jean worked in a marketing agency and she’s going to blog about it.