Film Technology Essay
Lesson Objectives: To be able to
answer an exam style question
evaluating the effects of new
technology on the film industry.

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PICTURE

START

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Essay Question

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Assessment
Criteria
To achieve an A grade
you need to:
•Demonstrate excellent
understanding
•Use relevant and
accurate facts
•Develop a clear
argument
•Relevant to question
•Frequent, detailed,
relevant examples
•Refer to your own
experience
•Use Terminology
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EN T
GUM
AR
ES
PL
AM
CE
EX
IE N
PER
EX
LOGY
MI N O
TE R
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Structure
•
•
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Introduction – state focus and argument.
Piracy – effect of online piracy.
Production - 3D, digital filmmaking, CGI.
Distribution – digital projection, digital
distribution.
• Marketing – viral marketing, social media.
• Conclusion – sum up argument, relate to
own experience.
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Introduction
• Relate to question, introduce argument,
identify focus.
The continuing development of digital technology has
significant implications for both film producers and audiences.
New technology has lead to many changes in how films are
produced and distributed, which offer both benefits and
disadvantages. It is my view that these technologies are
generally beneficial, though the emergence of online piracy
presents a major challenge to film studios.

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Piracy
• Development of high speed broadband
internet has led to internet piracy.
• Motion Picture Association of America
(MPAA) estimates piracy costs film
industry $20 billion annually.
• DVD sales declined dramatically in late
2000s, with studios reporting big decline in
home entertainment revenue.
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Piracy
• MPAA figures have been questioned – some suggestion
piracy costs could be closer to $500 million.
• How many viewers who watch pirated films would have
bough the DVD anyway?
• Avatar was the most pirated movie of 2010, being
illegally downloaded more than 17 million times. Still
became the highest grossing film of all time earning $2.8
billion worldwide.
• Include your views on piracy.

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3D
• Increase in films being shot in digital 3D in late
2000s.
• Seen as a way of tackling piracy – explain why.
• Success of Avatar encouraged other studios to
produce 3D films.
• Popularity of 3D films at UK box office peaked in
2010, then declined. Include statistics.

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3D – Tron: Legacy
• Shot using a Pace Fusion two camera rig.
• Director of Tron: Legacy said that "The Pace–Cameron
F35 system is a very cumbersome beast on the set. It's
such a large animal. It really informs the way you shoot."
As a result, he went for longer, more static shots.

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3D – The Hobbit
• Filmed in 3D using RED cameras.
• 3D technology had developed to allow for more
lightweight 3D cameras – including handheld and
steadicam 3D cameras.
• Create a more ‘immersive experience’ for the viewer
according to director Peter Jackson.
• The Hobbit Video Diary
• Pirates of the Caribbean 4 also used lighter 3D camera
rigs in production.
• Include your own examples as well.

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Evaluate 3D
Film Studios
• Way of tackling piracy.
• More expensive.

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Audience
• More immersive
experience.
• More expensive.
• Give your opinions/relate
to your experience.

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Digital Filmmaking
• Film industry moving towards filming in a digital format.
• Most filmmakers have moved to digital production.
• Some filmmakers, e.g. Christopher Nolan, Quentin
Tarantino argue digital is not of the same standard as
celluloid.
• Success of films like Avatar have boosted digital
filmmaking.
• The Hobbit shot on digital camera – recorded on
memory cards.

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Digital Filmmaking
Advantages
• Cheaper
• Can film for longer
periods of time.
• Lighter cameras.
• Easier to add CGI.
• Democratises filmmaking
process.
• Can shoot in digital 3D.

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Disadvantages
• Quality of image?

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Special Effects
• If you have time you could also discuss
the use of special effects such as CGI,
and motion capture.

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Film Distribution
• Digital projection
– Move from distributing films on film reels to digital
distribution.
– Digital distribution is roughly one-tenth the cost of
releasing a film on 35mm film.
– Success of Avatar in digital 3D lead to shift from film
to digital projection.
– Paramount will no longer distribute films on 35mm.
– 92% of US cinemas are digital.
– Digital Screen Network – UK Film Council scheme
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Evaluate Digital Projection
• Saves studios money.
• Should allow low budget independent films
to be released on more screens – more
choice for viewer.
• Digital projection facilities allow cinemas to
use satellite links to other events, e.g.
plays, opera, etc.
• Costly for independent cinemas to
convert.
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Film Distribution
• Home Entertainment
– Some films using day and date release –
examples, benefits/disadvantages.
– Shortening distribution windows.
– Early electronic sell-through.
– Proliferation of digital platforms/devices.
– Rise of Video on Demand sales.

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Evaluate Digital Home
Entertainment Formats
• More convenient
• Wider range of platforms (Ultraviolet)
• Helps tackle piracy

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Marketing
• Examples of viral marketing campaigns
– The Dark Knight
– Toy Story 3
– UK Film Council (Infidel, Girl With the Dragon
Tattoo, etc.)
– Give one/two specific examples – discuss
benefits and disadvantages.

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Conclusion
• Review benefits/disadvantages of new
technology to film industry – review
argument.
• Relate to your own experience.
• I have demonstrated that digital
technology offers significant benefits to the
film industry by…
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Key Tips
• Refer to your argument throughout – is digital
technology having a positive or negative effect.
• Make sure you use specific examples.
• You need to discuss benefits and/or
disadvantages to both film studios and
audiences.
• Relate your discussion to your own experience
as a film consumer.

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Film technology essay

  • 1.
    Film Technology Essay LessonObjectives: To be able to answer an exam style question evaluating the effects of new technology on the film industry. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 2.
  • 3.
  • 4.
  • 5.
  • 6.
  • 7.
  • 8.
  • 9.
  • 10.
  • 11.
  • 12.
    Assessment Criteria To achieve anA grade you need to: •Demonstrate excellent understanding •Use relevant and accurate facts •Develop a clear argument •Relevant to question •Frequent, detailed, relevant examples •Refer to your own experience •Use Terminology >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 13.
    EN T GUM AR ES PL AM CE EX IE N PER EX LOGY MIN O TE R >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 14.
    Structure • • • • Introduction – statefocus and argument. Piracy – effect of online piracy. Production - 3D, digital filmmaking, CGI. Distribution – digital projection, digital distribution. • Marketing – viral marketing, social media. • Conclusion – sum up argument, relate to own experience. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 15.
    Introduction • Relate toquestion, introduce argument, identify focus. The continuing development of digital technology has significant implications for both film producers and audiences. New technology has lead to many changes in how films are produced and distributed, which offer both benefits and disadvantages. It is my view that these technologies are generally beneficial, though the emergence of online piracy presents a major challenge to film studios. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 16.
    Piracy • Development ofhigh speed broadband internet has led to internet piracy. • Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) estimates piracy costs film industry $20 billion annually. • DVD sales declined dramatically in late 2000s, with studios reporting big decline in home entertainment revenue. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 17.
    Piracy • MPAA figureshave been questioned – some suggestion piracy costs could be closer to $500 million. • How many viewers who watch pirated films would have bough the DVD anyway? • Avatar was the most pirated movie of 2010, being illegally downloaded more than 17 million times. Still became the highest grossing film of all time earning $2.8 billion worldwide. • Include your views on piracy. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 18.
    3D • Increase infilms being shot in digital 3D in late 2000s. • Seen as a way of tackling piracy – explain why. • Success of Avatar encouraged other studios to produce 3D films. • Popularity of 3D films at UK box office peaked in 2010, then declined. Include statistics. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 19.
    3D – Tron:Legacy • Shot using a Pace Fusion two camera rig. • Director of Tron: Legacy said that "The Pace–Cameron F35 system is a very cumbersome beast on the set. It's such a large animal. It really informs the way you shoot." As a result, he went for longer, more static shots. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 20.
    3D – TheHobbit • Filmed in 3D using RED cameras. • 3D technology had developed to allow for more lightweight 3D cameras – including handheld and steadicam 3D cameras. • Create a more ‘immersive experience’ for the viewer according to director Peter Jackson. • The Hobbit Video Diary • Pirates of the Caribbean 4 also used lighter 3D camera rigs in production. • Include your own examples as well. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 21.
    Evaluate 3D Film Studios •Way of tackling piracy. • More expensive. >> 0 >> 1 >> Audience • More immersive experience. • More expensive. • Give your opinions/relate to your experience. 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 22.
    Digital Filmmaking • Filmindustry moving towards filming in a digital format. • Most filmmakers have moved to digital production. • Some filmmakers, e.g. Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino argue digital is not of the same standard as celluloid. • Success of films like Avatar have boosted digital filmmaking. • The Hobbit shot on digital camera – recorded on memory cards. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 23.
    Digital Filmmaking Advantages • Cheaper •Can film for longer periods of time. • Lighter cameras. • Easier to add CGI. • Democratises filmmaking process. • Can shoot in digital 3D. >> 0 >> 1 >> Disadvantages • Quality of image? 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 24.
    Special Effects • Ifyou have time you could also discuss the use of special effects such as CGI, and motion capture. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 25.
    Film Distribution • Digitalprojection – Move from distributing films on film reels to digital distribution. – Digital distribution is roughly one-tenth the cost of releasing a film on 35mm film. – Success of Avatar in digital 3D lead to shift from film to digital projection. – Paramount will no longer distribute films on 35mm. – 92% of US cinemas are digital. – Digital Screen Network – UK Film Council scheme >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 26.
    Evaluate Digital Projection •Saves studios money. • Should allow low budget independent films to be released on more screens – more choice for viewer. • Digital projection facilities allow cinemas to use satellite links to other events, e.g. plays, opera, etc. • Costly for independent cinemas to convert. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 27.
    Film Distribution • HomeEntertainment – Some films using day and date release – examples, benefits/disadvantages. – Shortening distribution windows. – Early electronic sell-through. – Proliferation of digital platforms/devices. – Rise of Video on Demand sales. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 28.
    Evaluate Digital Home EntertainmentFormats • More convenient • Wider range of platforms (Ultraviolet) • Helps tackle piracy >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 29.
    Marketing • Examples ofviral marketing campaigns – The Dark Knight – Toy Story 3 – UK Film Council (Infidel, Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, etc.) – Give one/two specific examples – discuss benefits and disadvantages. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 30.
    Conclusion • Review benefits/disadvantagesof new technology to film industry – review argument. • Relate to your own experience. • I have demonstrated that digital technology offers significant benefits to the film industry by… >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>
  • 31.
    Key Tips • Referto your argument throughout – is digital technology having a positive or negative effect. • Make sure you use specific examples. • You need to discuss benefits and/or disadvantages to both film studios and audiences. • Relate your discussion to your own experience as a film consumer. >> 0 >> 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >>