Why Digital Is a Better Choice for Movie Storage
Published on 03 November 15
Jake0
As we’ve entered the age of advanced technology and an easy-access life, the world of cinema has hardly been far behind. The process of projecting a motion picture through the 35mm reel has now started to be termed as an age old phenomena. The digital world is evolving at a fast pace, and no matter how many filmmakers oppose to the idea of digital filming and distribution of movies, it has been termed as a plausible, low cost and friendlier medium. Transferring movies through hard drives or even through the internet, without going through the hassle of distributing the reels worldwide is much better of an option. The conventional projector is now discarded, to be replaced by the new, refined, and more effective digital film projector. All across the world, a large number of movie theaters have opted for the digital medium as opposed to the usual cinematic one.
The first major motion picture to be distributed in the digital format was the highly acclaimed Star Wars: Episode 1-The Phantom Menace. Following that, even many Disney movies began to be projected digitally. To name some: Tarzan, Toy Story 2 and Bicentennial Man. Some filmmakers claim that the digital camera will never be able to capture the essence of movies as the usual film camera does, while others are in support of digitalization, since carrying those heavy cans of the 35mm reel is much too painstaking. Using a simple, handy hard drive, on the other hand, reduces quite a lot of trouble. Slowly and steadily, the film camera has begun its journey onto becoming a vintage entity. Don’t be surprised when years later, you walk into an old filmmaker’s home and find one of those stacked into their storage rooms or displayed in a glass cabinet along with the rustic typewriter and small music box.
Arguments have surfaced saying that the conventional film camera isn’t entirely being shed aside. There are still a few filmmakers keen on favouring the film camera as opposed to the digital one. Directors like Christopher Nolan and his likes, have stood against the digital cinema in a fight to keep film from dying down. You could say that, to them, it is sort of like the Cartoon Network logo changing and the old shows becoming extinct. Kids today might not know the fun of watching those shows, but there are still people who prefer the previous logo. These filmmakers similarly believe that the analogue will always be loved and preferred by them no matter how much the digital world evolves.
On the other hand, those who are turning to the aid of the digital camera claim that it saves so much more money (which is the most vital necessity today), and it saves them the trouble of going through the arduous proves of filming and distributing movies in the 35mm reel. Along with being filmed through the digital camera, movies are flanked with digital effects that make them look more realistic than ever. Use of these effects has overpowered movies worldwide to make them look more appealing. Artists have developed an astounding amount of work that creates such magical effects on screen; it leaves the spectators spellbound.
Practical effects have disappeared and the use of computer generated VFX has become the new playground of artists. Aforementioned the first Star Wars movie had a score of brilliant special effects that enhanced the quality of the movie to heights unknown. It set a bar for other movies of its likes in the 70s itself. The movie is still considered to be an impressive feat in the VFX world. Star Trek wasn’t far back in coming up with the initial stage of an entire scene generated by computer. One of the most acclaimed works in the area of special digital effects is Jurassic Park. The sheer brilliance of the digital work in the movie hardly went unnoticed by the world. The fact of the matter is that the digital world offers a depth of scope where one can catch the essence of films, even though some filmmakers might claim otherwise.
Movies of the likes of Pirates of the Caribbean, The Matrix, and the recent award-winning movie by James Cameron -Avatar, came out as evolutions in the digital world of effects. Furthermore, those special effects played possibly the most vital role in the movies. The raging battle between film and digital projection is a strong one.
So why should we, as consumers, opt for the digital storage as opposed to film?
The answer is simple. It reduces more time and effort than going through the hassle of preserving film, which loses its touch over time even though it might have the capability of lasting much longer. Also it’s expensive for us to process -giving the 35mm raw film to a professional, who will convert it to a format that can be viewed on the computer or DVD - also cumbersome to store. Shooting video is limited to the amount of stock (the raw 35mm film that you will be shooting on), which is pricey in itself to carry. Digital, on the other hand, gives you unlimited space. With digital video, it’s like anything you want to look after and take care of. You might have to transfer it to a new storage every 5-6 years but if for instance you have memories of times with your family and friends, your kids as they grow up... those are treasures to keep safe for years. Why wouldn’t we go through the minimal process of transferring these files when it can be done in a much easier way than analogue?
For consumers as well as filmmakers, money is the most significant factor that comes into play. It should be taken into consideration that digital projection is more advanced a technology than filming cameras ever will be; or the fact that there are various aspects that effects can cover, that which physical representation cannot master; or that digitalization saves more time, is easier and much less complicated than the normal filming; or even the ease of access with editing during post production. There might be some downsides to entering the digital world, but cinema is emerging out as a whole new repertoire of digital effects.
Additionally, distribution of digital prints is a much more effective way than carrying those huge cans everywhere. Easier methods lead to more production. Hassles are frowned upon, while the simpler ways of movie distribution are given more inclination to. As far as the editing business is concerned, digitally shot movies are trouble-free to edit. Although it does take as much effort to come up with a perfect result after editing, the softwares available today at the click of a mouse are a delight in themselves for editors. No longer do the artists and editors want to spend hours devoting themselves to the task of perfect editing using the ancient methods. Digital editing is the new game changer.
Even for the common people who love to shoot videos and click pictures as memories, isn’t it much handy to use a digital camera? It saves more time and it’s so weightless to carry! Even post shooting, the storage is right at the click of your mouse and you can find it in your hard drive or computer. Also, converting it to different formats doesn’t necessarily require a professional. There are various softwares available that you can use right at home, on your own to convert 8mm to DVD. It has a user-friendly approach and you won’t have to spend too much time to find a professional, and get your work done. It also saves a lot of money.
Digital technology is no longer like a child learning to walk. In fact, it has evolved so well in the last few decades that it is starting to successfully lead cinema to a whole new level of vividness, magnitude and splendour that the world has never seen before. It seems to be growing more in depth and turn around the way movies are made, presented, and finally seen by the audience. It might not have the old charm and lustre of the conventional film camera, but digital film has distinct qualities in itself to leave us in awe. The film camcorder will always remain a memory in the minds of those who have seen its rise and fall, but perhaps it is time for film to sit back on its old grand chair and watch the young digital cinema play.
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