Filmmaking Revolution from 1895 to 2020

The film industry is often at the forefront of technological advancements which inspire the filmmaking revolution. The impact of technology is visible almost in all segments of film-making and production – narrative techniques, equipment, graphics, sound effects, and more.
The history of film is filled with advances that have changed the way of how a movie is produced and how the audience enjoys it. It was in 1895 that the first projected moving pictures were presented to the audience in Paris, France by the Lumiere brothers. Since then the film industry has revolutionised in many ways.
From the first motion projection to modern computer-generated graphic films, the industry has continued to innovate better ideas for filming. Here is a short list of 7 technological advances that have helped in revolutionising the history of the film industry.
7 Filmmaking Revolutions & Technological Advances that Changed the Film Industry
Today, film production uses various processes, techniques, and equipment such as HD (high-definition) cameras, computer-generated graphics and backgrounds. From brilliant editing techniques, special effects to using advanced 8k digital cameras, filmmakers continue to experiment with new styles and themes. But how did it all begin? Here are the 7 major advancements that led the industry to a place as high as it is today.
1) The Lumiere Brothers
Contrary to the basic film-making techniques that projected still images in dark rooms, the Lumiere Brothers recreated the illusion of movement by devising a motion-picture camera.
2) Melies’ Moon
The revolutions in the film-making industry also owe a lot to Georges Melies’ techniques of superimposition of images, fading, double exposures, and scale models.
3) Colour
Another turning point in the industry was the introduction of colour in movie frames.
4) Sound
The incorporation of sound in the movies was another great breakthrough for the film-making industry. The coloured frames accompanied by the sound effects took the industry to a whole new level.
5) Television
The use of panoramic formats inaugurated a new era in the film industry which let the films come face-to-face with its competitor – Television.
6) Animation
The works of animation highlight another important revolution in the industry. Walt Disney was the first to give this a chance and no it’s gone from strength to strength.
7) The Pixar Era
Later, the application of computer graphics in film-making has revolutionised the industry on a technological scale. The momentum was so great that Disney ended up acquiring Pixar for millions of dollars.
It is the filming techniques, storytelling and seamless visual effects that keep the viewers engaged in the film.
Modern Film Making
Unlike traditional filmmaking where the filmmakers had to wait for physical elements (people, weather, set, and more) to be put in place, real-time film making modifies the approach. Everybody works together and moves continually toward the final frame.
Different aspects such as lighting, weather conditions, can be modified using LED walls. Set changes are allowed which let the special scenes to be loaded quickly. How? Because the film-making is no longer at the mercy of the weather, location availability, and scene builder timescales.
The real-time filmmaking technology allows the makers to put vibrant visuals behind an actor. And as such, exotic places that are needed for the film are created without having to actually go to the physical locations. The power of computing has actually come to the rescue.
Key Factors that Revolutionised the Film-Making Industry
- Technological innovations such as the way the movies are distributed and consumed across the Internet.
- New formats such as podcasts and web shows for video consumption. You can either stream online or download to watch later.
- Use of digital media technologies. This has resulted in considerable cost-reductions.
- Restructuring the film industry, from analogue to digital.
- Multiple-camera set-ups, stereoscopic imaging, cable television, non-linear editing, motion-capture technology.
- Digital media facilitates the projection of movies onto any surface from a smartphone through portable projectors. The market also boasts of an advanced range of HD and 3D projectors at affordable costs.
Summary
Over the years, filmmaking revolutions has allowed the filmmakers to blend creativity, art, graphics, and storytelling into a pre-planned time frame and budget. The industrial revolution has also opened many doors for people who love camera work, graphics, editing, producing, and directing.
Did You Know?
- Raindance Film Festival is considered one of the top fifteen film festivals in the world?
- Raindance has a Higher Education programme offering HND, BA and MA in Filmmaking and Screenwriting?
- Raindance members support indie film, and enjoy a range of benefits
- Let Raindance guide you on your filmmaking pathway. call +44 (0) 207 930 3412 or email filmschool@raindance.ac.uk
