The Film Industry's Move Into Digital Cinema
Since the very first motion picture was recorded, close to one hundred years ago, celluloid based film has been the medium of choice for all Hollywood moviemakers. Due to recent advancements in technology however, a new format has emerged and is challenging its longevity. High-definition digital video has finally reached the quality standards set by film, but still possesses the efficiency of videotape. The new technology seeks to modify every aspect of the motion picture industry, changing the way movies are produced, distributed, and exhibited. Many questions and arguments are raised about the proposed change, but parallel quality and a major discount in costs proves that digital cinema will take the motion picture industry by storm and completely revamp the way movies are experienced.Before Hollywood began to look at digital video as an option for its blockbusters, the new medium was used to make movies by many independent filmmakers. DV, the digital camcorder format, is inexpensive and produces a high-resolution picture, providing these independents with the opportunity to create a professional quality movie on a somewhat low budget. Many of the major film festivals are now featuring independent movies shot digitally,
One of the most advantageous features of producing movies digitally is the drastic difference in production cost. The savings of using video tape rather than film alone makes the switch very profitable. George Lucas said, "the cost of video tape for the movie [Episode II] was about $15,000, as opposed to some $2.5 million he would have spent on film stock and related cost" (Sabin). Money is also saved because digital movie making saves time. When recording on videotape directors do not have to wait for film to be processed to view their "dailies", which allows them to see onscreen what they have just shot. With a more time efficient production, payroll costs are reduced. s have been encrypted to prevent the movies from being stolen. It was through the combined effort of Lucasfilm, Sony, and Panavision that a camera, capable of capturing video at a quality similar to that of the traditional 35-millimeter film camera, was invented. High definition digital video is the solution to the inadequacy of the DV camcorder format. With one of his companies assisting in the creation of the high definition camera, George Lucas, creator of the famous space opera Star Wars, is pioneering the move into digital movie making for Hollywood. Coined as the father of digital cinema, he has announced that he as "gone digital" (qtd. in Goodale). The two remaining episodes of the Star Wars prequel series will be shot entirely in high definition digital. By choosing to shoot the movies in the digital format, Lucas will benefit from the many positive aspects of digital movie making. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Throughout history, the motion picture industry has seen only three major technological advances, sound, color, and wide screen. Digital cinema is the advance of the twenty first century. It is beneficial to everyone from the creators to the viewers, and the change is going to happen. and independent producers also stand to gain ground on the major studios in the theaters. Though DV does produce a high-reso
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Approximate Word count = 1395
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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