Film Technology Essay

The Evolution and Advancement of Film Technology Due To Audience Demand

The film industry will always need to adapt to meet the demands of the paying customer. From the introduction of technicolour in 1932, to this year’s blockbuster Avatar’s revival of the 3D film. Technology will always play an important role in the film industry. But is all this technology eating away at good old fashion film production? And are the technological advancements required by the audience turning plot driven epics into CGI packed flops?

Back in 1915 the first movies (as we know them) began to be shown, movies that did not yet have their own sound, these so-called silent films were the wonder and amazement of millions. Recognisable figureheads such as Charlie Chaplin charmed and thrilled audiences as the age of slapstick comedy was at its peak. Critics however argued the early years of the 3D movie presented a “dumbing down” of film production and argue it was not till “The Jazz Singer” (1927) and the introduction of sound in films that the age of the film industry began to take off.



By the early 1930’s the introduction of “Technicolor” allowed films to be shown in a basic arrange of colours and so begins the discussion of our first technological advancement:”Technicolor”. The use of “Technicolor” in films, for many brought the image on the screen to life. Although indeed many films before this new technology had been released were shown in a basic colour, “Technicolor” was much clearer and was much more easily used. Films such as Disney’s “Flower and Trees” (1932) and “Three Little pigs” were massive successes with both the paying public and sceptical Critics. By now audiences and film makers alike were beginning to realise the endless possibilities of film making and the demand for technology was beginning to fasten its pace.



Over the next thirty years film making continued to evolve and prosper. With “Black and White” films arguably still holding superiority. Actors such as “John Wayne” and “Humphrey Bogart” took on leading roles as Hollywood heartthrobs helping the people of Europe and the US progress through the Second World War. The people of a war torn world needed heroes and such actors offered it to them in bundles, the film industry supplied much needed moral boosting entertainment and in the mean time film technology continued to develop. The constant demand of new technology and film continued to exist throughout the 50’s and 60’s, the audiences need for colour film began to out – weigh that of the old “black and white” and by the late 60’s it seemed certain that “black and white” film had had its day. By the 1970’s the development of the animated wire frame graphic, saw cult classic Star Wars (1977) rise to fame and fortune. As audience demand seemed to require a never ending supply of advancement the older “black and white” classics began to turn into just that, classics. With a supply of another two Star Wars epics and various other groundbreaking productions other the next century a new age had begun for film making.



By the 1990’s due to a change in culture and technology the age of film making began to advance once again. This time the advancement would be through animation. Arguably the most famous name in film making, Disney was back at the forefront of technological change. “Toy Story” showed the world the first glimpse of CGI animation as we know it today. A piece of technology that would entertain audiences of all ages the birth of CGI entertainment offered a completely new source of enjoyment and would please greatly all those who craved for further advancements in the world of the film industry. Lead by “Woody” (Tom Hanks) and “Buzz” (Tim Allen) little did the toys of one fortunate child know. That they would be the founding fathers of the multimillion earner, that is the world of CGI animation.



In just over 50 years the film industry had advanced from basic “black and white” silent films to advanced CGI animations that sold for millions of dollars. However the hunger of the audience continued to grow and the need for further advancements in film making was required, over the next decade CGI would take a forefront in the world of films. “Star Wars” would return for another three films bringing with it extreme usage of CGI, alienating it from some of its diehard fans due to its arguable lack of enthusiasm and plot. Comic fan’s favourite “Marvel” would also join the CGI race converting many of its 2D heroes and villains into multimillion selling film icons such as “Ironman” and “The Hulk.” It seemed for some time film technology had finally met the demand of its eager audiences. The idea of a totally 3D film lingered for some time but nothing of any substance seemed to come about. That was however till the 18th of December 2009 where a film named Avatar would push the boundaries even further.

“Avatar” directed and written by James Cameron would be a film that took the jump into a technology argued by some critics to be a dead end. However what it would achieve would amaze its audiences and surprise even the most sceptical of critics. “Avatar” used the most modern 3D technology and CGI to bring the film straight to its viewer. Much like “Toy Story”, “The Jazz Singer” and “The Flowers and the Trees,” “Avatar” was the first film of its kind and was a bridge over to a world of new possibilities. Some critics still argued that the technology was unnecessary but generally the reception not to mention the billions of dollars of profit tell us the general public and critics alike have been sucked into a new technological advancement and that Avatar is very much the founder of the new genre that is 3D filmmaking.



Over the journey of around 100 years the film industry has advanced by a huge magnitude. From a once silent, colourless source of enjoyment we are now at an age of technology that allows us to interact with the image on the screen. I believe the advancement has been so quick due to the heavy demand of evolution craved for by the audience. An audience will always seek more from a film, and although arguably the creation of CGI and animation have damaged the once innocent profession of film making, we are now in a time that allows us to bring the most bizarre and extraordinary ideas to life. Avatar is the current “next gen” process but in a few years no doubt we will be hit with yet more technological madness, and after all film making needs to advance to stop it being boring and outdated.