DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND FILM

Impact of Digital Video

Technology affecting film today...

Digital and hi-def video (and digital editing)

Computer generated images – animation, motion capture

Digital distribution via internet Digital projection IMAX DVD and Blu Ray

Advantages for Filmmakers

• Cheaper production (DV tape is cheap, easier to light a scene etc.)

• Realism • Naturalistic performances – Danny Boyle

and 28 Days Later

Advantages for Distributors

• Celluloid film deteriorates very quickly – digital storage is cheaper and more effective

• Easy to duplicate• Easy to distribute – directly from net or

on tape where it can be digitally projected

In 2001 Philip Anschutz said that if cinemas swapped from film to digital it would save $800 billion in distribution costs.

Advantages for Audiences

• Increased realism of performance – ‘emotional honesty’ of a story

• Cheaper production = wider range of film styles, themes and content

• Easier to access – via web; YouTube, illegal sites and licensed vendors

• Become producers themselves – a good concept can be shot, edited and posted on line for very little money (bypassing old structure of industry)

Disadvantages for Institutions

• Poorer quality image – not as much depth of field, colours aren’t as vivid, detail on costume etc. unclear

• $300 million to convert cinemas to digital projection in the US alone

• Exhibitors wary – improvements in home cinema (surround sound, bigger TVs, video projectors) plus high speed broadband...why would you want to go to the cinema?

Disadvantages for Distributors

• Easier to make flawless copies with digital so open to piracy

• By 2001 80% of revenue comes from post release sales (TV, DVD etc) which is at risk

• Competition – if digital democratises access to production and distribution, then this creates more competition for established industry. Keep film as something ‘special’ and ‘User Generated Content’ remains ‘inferior’ – give the audience an experience they can’t get on YouTube.