Movies have always had a magical quality. They can open up entirely new realities. They offer relief from the stresses of everyday life. They are the materialisation of the filmmaker’s passion and the crew’s dedication to their art. In a word, yes, but films are also a lot more. Films can both release and tame the immense capacities of technology in spectacular new ways because they are the perfect synthesis of art and science.
The power and significance of the marriage of cinema and technology may not have ever been higher than they are now. Indeed, the rise of digital technology is revolutionising every facet of the film industry, from production to distribution to reception. The essay delves into the significant effects that the advent of digitization has had on the movie business.
Reducing Expenses and Streamlining Production
Digital technology advancements are changing every aspect of the filmmaking process, from pre-production to post-production to distribution. Digital cameras today are not only cheaper than their film counterparts, but they also outperform them in every conceivable way.
For instance, just a few short years ago, the inclusion of certain features in digital cameras would have been either financially impossible or impractical. Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) and ultra-high resolution capabilities are examples of common features that can be used to immerse an audience uniquely and extraordinarily.
Digitalization is helping filmmakers improve their profession in many ways, including the quality of the production process. The post-production and editing stages have also been shortened because of digital technologies.
Post-production editing and the necessity for reshoots can be minimised or eliminated as filmmakers can make adjustments in real-time to things like special effects and continuity issues. The time to release is shortened and production expenses are cut significantly as a result.
Increasing Access to Filmmaking
Modern digital filmmaking equipment is becoming more accessible and affordable, which benefits the industry as a whole by allowing major studios to produce more and higher quality films for less money. More crucially, it means that independent filmmakers who lack the vast financial backing of major studios will have far easier access to the art form.
In fact, digitalization has the potential to be the great equaliser in film, giving a platform to those whose ideas would otherwise be overlooked due to a lack of resources. It’s not only the ubiquity of cheap digital cameras that is helping indie filmmakers reclaim their place in the spotlight.
Other pervasive technology, like drones, are assisting filmmakers in realising their creative vision without breaking the bank. Filmmakers can now create a visually attractive finished product even while working with a limited budget.
Why Streaming Is So Effective
Digitalization is affecting every aspect of the film industry, from the production schedule to the marketing and distribution channels. The phenomenal success of social media has dramatically widened consumer options around the world. This means that filmmakers can reach a global audience for next to nothing by using social media to spread the word about their films. And that means the marketing funds can be reallocated to the manufacturing side of things.
For example, the trailer for the film may be released on social media in a staggered fashion to properly prime the audience. Staggering trailers help films get noticed because most people check their favourite social media sites numerous times daily.
Instead of relying solely on paid promotion through traditional means, filmmakers may take advantage of the constant exposure provided by social media. This implies that they can use timed trailers to sustain and build the drama, two tried-and-true methods for keeping an audience engaged.
The role of social media in the digital transformation of cinema goes beyond simple advertising. Films are increasingly being released via online media, especially after the COVID-19 epidemic.
Digital channels are becoming increasingly important for both major studios and indie filmmakers to market and distribute their films. With more and better material available online, smaller, independent studios may finally have a chance to compete with the big boys.
At the same time, it greatly increases accessibility to viewers. Those who may have been previously excluded due to a lack of physical access to a theatre can now experience the enchantment of film in the privacy of their own homes. Freed from the mediation of the large studios, viewers and creators can develop closer, more interactive bonds than ever before.
The Digitisation Age
The “golden age” of cinema, it is said, ended more than fifty years ago. However, digitization has the potential to usher in a new era of prosperity. Production has reached a level of cinematic quality never before thought possible, thanks to the proliferation of digital technologies. Simultaneously, both production costs and release wait times have decreased. This has helped break down barriers for independent and smaller companies to enter the film industry. In a similar vein, the proliferation of social media platforms has revolutionised cinema distribution and promotion, making it possible for films to finally reach an international audience.