Communication and Media Technology – Film Technology
Producing a movie or documentary for the cinema or DVD is a highly complex undertaking, both technically and logistically. A film must go through numerous production stages before it can be distributed to the public.
Traditional movie cameras shoot 24 frames per second on a light-sensitive film strip. The film is fed to the camera from a reel, rolling frame by frame in front of the lens where it is quickly exposed and rolled onto another spool. The camera can also be set to expose more or less than 24 frames per second. When the resulting film is replayed at a normal speed, the action on the screen appears either faster (time-lapse photography) or slower (slow motion).
When the camera must be maneuvered during filming, a special steadicam can be used. With this system, the camera sits on a freely moving joint on an armature just above the center of gravity. The joint is attached to a isoelastic arm which acts as a shock absorber. The monitor and batteries are attached lower on the armature, serving as a counterweight. Digital video cameras are replacing traditional film cameras.
While both types of camera offer advantages and disadvantages, digital films are significantly easier to copy, distribute, and store than traditional film reels. Movie sound tracks are often recorded separately from the film. To ensure that the sound and picture fit together, they are electronically synchronized. Voices, music, and background sounds can be externally recorded, allowing audio to be used that is unaffected by the acoustic conditions of the filming location.
Special effects
Starting with a digital version of the film, special effects can be added. With blue- screen technology, the back- ground is shot separately. The actors are then filmed in front of a blue background, a color that can easily be distinguished from skin tones.
Using a computer the actors can then be superimposed onto the background. Backgrounds, scenes, or individual characters can also be created through computer animation. These can then be copied into the movie or pieced together to create a fully animated film.
FILM EDITING
During the editing process individual scenes are arranged for cinema to graphic effect in order to create the finished film. For Hollywood type movies, the film reels are usually optically scanned and then stored digitally. Individual scenes can then be processed, graphically manipulated on a computer, and reassembled.
The final result is copied onto a film reel or DVD
BASICS
MODERN CINEMAS use complex inter- connected sound systems with speakers on all sides of the theater.
Special speakers provide low-frequency effects such as rumbling, booming, and vibration.