Developing Technology within the Film and TV Industries
Due to the technology revolution we are now living in, the power of digital video has enabled any individual to become a filmmaker at the touch of their fingertips. Not only has this made it easier for anyone to produce video content, but it has had a vital impact on the way the television and industries themselves function.
A key development is cost. High quality filmmaking equipment is now even cheaper, allowing TV to create a similar aesthetic to a feature film. Drones have played a large role in this change with DJI creating affordable, well built products for the everyday consumer, enthusiast and production crew. The DJI Inspire has enabled crews to shoot cinematic aerial photography, without the need of spending their valuable budget on hiring a helicopter. Likewise, production crews where hiring a helicopter would never have been an option, now have the chance to explore the benefits and creative opportunity of aerial photography.
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Developments to camera technology has also enabled new creative possibilities. For example, the rise in 4K cameras allow filmmakers to be flexible in post-production, cropping and manipulating their image further to create a more distinct artistic style. Similarly, high quality recording devices such as those created by RED are also available at affordable prices, providing increased cinematic opportunities within the TV industries. For example, Stranger Things, Black Mirror and House of Cards are all examples of TV shows that have a cinematic style thanks to utilising RED’s affordable cinema cameras.
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Virtual reality is something that is still finding its place within the Film and TV industries, but is nevertheless a groundbreaking development within video technology. Gopro has made this technology accessible for small production crews, through its GoPro Fusion camera. This ‘Action camera’ has two wide angle lenses back-to-back, which record simultaneously, footage which is then stitched together in post. There are then two main ways to showcase this footage. The most common is through a VR headset, where the consumer where's Virtual Reality goggles that allow them to look around the 3D environment recorded through the Fusion camera. However, this form of distribution is still evolving and is shunned by some as being tedious and a gimmick. Even so, there is another way in which 360º video can be utilised and that is simply through utilising the 360º field of view, to crop and capture the best frame of action in post through what GoPro call 'Overcapture', allowing the footage to be incorporated within a film or tv show. For example, when shooting certain sports of wildlife, it may be difficult to predict and follow the direction in which the action is going to go. However, with a 360º camera, you can simply record the whole environment and select your framing in post.
Many of these technology developments have made cinematic filmmaking more accessible to smaller production companies, whilst providing Hollywood crews with an increased flexibility. 3D printing is no different, with opportunities with this achievement virtually endless. This allows production teams to create unique props rapidly, efficiently and in an increasingly affordable fashion. Likewise, if a piece of equipment were to break on set and a certain piece was needed that may take weeks to ship, it can simply be printed right then and there, allowing the shoot to continue as needed. Furthermore, It has had a fundamental impact on stopmotion productions such as LAIKA's 'Kubo and the Two Strings'. Although this technology still needs to become more affordable and accessible, the opportunities that it provides are revolutionising the way that props and equipment are made.
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In conclusion, there are numerous technological developments that are reshaping the film and tv industries as we know them today. The majority are simply making cinematic filmmaking more accessible and feasible, increasing the opportunities for both small production crews and large ones. However, further work and experimentation still needs to be undergone to integrate these new technologies into everyday filmmaking in a seamless fashion, continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible.