From the Big Screen to the Computer Screen

As technology advances, media users are seeing a rapid change in delivery methods of traditionally "Big Screen" features. To date, we have not yet lost the art of cinematography completely, although it is changing quiet profoundly. As time and technology advances we see more and more reliance on the Internet to provide detailed information and trailers to upcoming box office movies. Many times audiences only get a very abstract glimpse of an upcoming feature on television and are instructed and encouraged to visit the film's web site to get more information and watch the full trailer, something that was once exclusively given on television or in the movie theater during previews.

Internet information and video trailers are only the stepping-stones to the change of cinematic delivery in the technology driven world to come. According to Hoveyda (2000) "The trend to use digital and computer technology as well as video technology is blurring the distinction between the big screen, the small screen, and the computer screen" (p. 124). Hoveyda concludes that interactivity is the future of the movie industry, pointing out the advances in technology that are making it possible for audiences to interact with movie characters, change actors and scenes, and even adjust the actions and outcomes of the movies. In other words the audience is now becoming the director, making of the movie what they want.

I see this trend in CD-Rom's and interactive web sites. DVD's often have alternate ending options and interactive games included along with the feature. I doubt however that among all the technological advances and audience interaction that the art of filmmaking is really being lost as Hoveyda contends. Others also feel in similar ways about the future of filmmaking, Hoveyda (2000) says "The web moviemakers consider that in a not too far future, the Internet will become a viable competing vehicle for feature presentations and therefore a viable alternative to film theaters" (p. 124). I have mixed opinions about this prediction as well; I believe that in the near future film theaters have no prominent threat based solely on the availability of made for the web movies. If television was not successful in eliminating theater attendance, then I do not see how the Internet could do it. I firmly believe that people still enjoy getting out and going to the theater despite the availability of in home movie viewing, the theater ambiance, though changing is still a powerful force, bringing constant record breaking numbers to the box office for highly anticipate films.

Another concern is that the advent of superior technological innovation is taking away the need for talented, creative directors. According to Jones (2000) the use of digital special effects is replacing the need for scene building and lighting expertise, just two aspects among many in filmmaking that was once attributed to the creative expertise of the director. It is true that the face of cinematography is changing profoundly, but who is to say that this change is a bad thing. Better special effects and more elaborate scenes are a benefit to audiences and filmmakers alike. If the audience is better served with realistic, exiting scenes and effects, more moviegoers are likely to visit theaters to experience the feature in an exiting way, a dark, cool theater with a huge screen and surround sound audio system. Video and audio technology enhances the film and attracts more demanding viewers. The art of direction may be changed but I believe it will not be lost any time soon. Just as audiences have adopted this new technology, so should directors embrace it and make it work to their advantage.

As technology continues to advance and the face of traditional mass media continues to change, the classic arts learn to adapt and take a back seat to new innovations and ideas. Just as other art forms have in the past, not been lost but only appreciated in different ways, so will the classic film styles be archived and stored in the memories and hearts of movie aficionados. Classic directors adapt and embrace new technologically driven special effects, movie production costs are reduced and every one in the web benefits. Audiences enjoy lower movie costs, more interactive features, alternate endings and perhaps even a chance to feel part of the production, and movie makers enjoy increased profits and the satisfaction of providing a product that new, more demanding audiences enjoy.

References

Hoveyda, F. (2000). The Hidden Meaning of Mass Communications: Cinema, Books, and Television in the Age of Computers. Westport, Conn. Praeger