Trust the experts
The new digital technology is to a certain extent threatening the old production houses, as established companies are now changing to this concept. Despite new technology and innovations, the term “old is gold” is often used by experts as they are well experienced in filmmaking, and they are the ones who were ruling the industry for decades. Digital may not take a shape.
From Mr K. Ragavan Krishnamachary
Bengaluru, India
Evolution of cinema
Over the years technology has assisted humans in all fields of life. The world of cinema has also become better with the use of technology and gadgets. It has added life and thrill into the movies, as special effects are added to give the viewers an experience to remember for a long time, especially when the movie is watched in 3D. However, with new technology being used, it seems as if the human factor is becoming less. Movies are shot in front of a green screen or in an empty room and everything else is then added around the actors. Examples of this can be Avatar, Gravity, 2012 and the Transformers franchise. Almost every movie is using digital technology to bring life into the movies, however this is making them a bit lifeless. There are less humans and more digital. Although viewers are enthralled by watching actors run through falling buildings and fight alien robots, too much digital will never bode well because it is artificial after all. Even though stunts and special effects are being shown in movies for years, they were done with humans using non-digital accessories such as wires, painted sets and movie scenes running in the background. Rendering short films using digital technology might be acceptable, but using it in full-length movies, although has become famous, somehow demeans the work of the actors, who have to visualise the scenes because the settings do not exist in reality. I believe production companies can add some special effects, but they must have a balance of how much of the movie should be digital and how much should be shot in a real environment.
From Mr M. Omar Iftikhar
Karachi, Pakistan
Opening opportunities
We can’t be so negative about digital! It opens up the film industry to talents that might not have stood a chance in a more elitist field. Digital allows people to show their true talents to the world fairly easily! Many get noticed this way. And it doesn’t have to be so artificial either. The environment can remain natural. The fun part about digital is that it can look however you want it to! Like Quentin Tarantino, if he wants to shoot an old fashion cowboy movie in the same quality as movies like Ben-Hur, he can still accomplish that with digital. He’s just being elitist and snobbish.
From Ms Lili Maria
Dubai
It’s about quality!
It’s not snobbish, it’s about the quality. It’s the heart of the film industry. Keep in mind, people like Tarantino live and breathe the cinema industry. He might know what he’s talking about.
From Mr Mohammad Khan
UAE
Can’t stop evolution
Everybody says old is gold and sometimes we feel it’s true. But, we should not always look at the old concepts and sometimes we should give importance to the current ones. Now that everything has gone digital, this is good to a certain extent. There have been tremendous developments in technology and nobody knows where this will end up. You can climb the ladder step by step and you cannot go above the limit. Of course technology improves, and I don’t think it ruins the film industry. But, at the same time, I think that we should not always depend on technology. The old system of focusing with cameras and shooting films is actually more professional. You have to do it by manual adjustments on the camera. That invites a professional photographer to the film industry. Now, anyone can go for a photo shoot with the new digital cameras irrespective of age and they will find it easy.
There are advantages and disadvantages on both manual and digital technology. We are just replacing old fashion with new improved techniques just like our daily dresses. That’s all.
From Mr Thottikamath Balaraman
UAE
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