The Future Of Film Making

[John in Covina]

I enjoy wide-screen for some shots especially if they are trying to show some type of vista view. It can help convey the sense of vast spaces such as desert scenes in Lawrence of Arabia. Early wide screen was a vignetted view of ordinary 35mm film, in the digital age it is different.

 

[Atomic Age]

Gimmick. How does it add to the storytelling capability of the medium? Does it improve the script, the acting, the directing?

But then, I also think widescreen is a gimmick that simply caught on and survived long enough that a whole generation of film goers doesn't realize there was ever anything else. There are very few films shot in 1.85 or 2.35 that wouldn't tell their stories just as well in 1.37.

While that is probably true, a wider frame 1.85, and particularly 2.35, more closely aproximates the human field of few. Some, myself included, find it easier to compose for a wider screen.

I really don't think wide screen is a gimmick, though the reasons for switching to it in the 50's probably were. But people were trying to do wide screen films long before that. The Big Trail starring John Wayne in the 30s was not only wide screen but filmed in 70mm. Disney was experimenting with producing Fantasia in wide screen in 1940, though it proved too complicated at the time.

Many film makers wanted to shoot in a wider format long before the 50s, but it was just too costly to make the transition, and it took the threat of television to force it on the industry.

Doug

 

[martinsantos]

I do not see a brilliant future to filmmaking - in the Hollywood way. Of course we will have good films, made by those who like movies. But cheaper films, ever in 16mm. But where we can see actor's work, and not just computer work.

Movies need big money, and they always want the secure the sucess. This is the reason the movies are make to teenagers, usually. They go weekly to movies; adults very lesser. And, anyway, they alweays think about the time the film will be as DVD, etc.

About theaters... My preferred movie theater was old "Cine Marabá", here in São Paulo. Last one large theater, 1800 seats. From 1948. The hall was restored this year, but we have now 5 little theaters inside. But last time I visited the "old way", with a drama, there were around 20 persons inside. Of course, if they didn't make a change, the theater would break; you can't stay with a soo big place, in downtown, with several employees, without public.

This experience with a LARGE theater, a very big screen, will be rarer and rarer. (It was wonderful when, few years ago, I saw at this theater a Chaplin film. Again, almost alone, with my wife. But it was something special).

 

[Auron]

There is still hope for movies. Fantastic Mr. Fox was a visual and intellectual treat. However, with garbage like Twilight becoming popular, I can see how people can be discouraged.

 

[John in Covina]

I heard on the news that there are a number of directors that are saying the current 3D effect is going to be a fad and will not be used in really "serious" films.

 

[Pompidou]

3D proved to be just a fad a few decades ago, so it wouldn't surprise me if it proves to be a fad yet again. On the other hand, considering every new idea in film has been called "just a fad" on its introduction, I won't take a strong opinion either way. After all, people thought talkies would be just a fad - that nobody wanted to hear actors talk. I hope 3D movies do take off - but if it happens, I hope film makers learn how to use it right. In my opinion, the number of movies making good use of 3D are about 50% of the ones that use it. For every Avatar and Alice in Wonderland that do it right, there's a Clash of the Titans that's better without it. Ebert says that 3D dulls the colors of a movie, so even Avatar and Alice should be seen both ways to fully appreciate them.

 

[martinsantos]

I don't think 3D will survive for a long time... For a time it will be a novelty, as happened in 50s. But "3D" films usually are just this, the "star" is the system. Usually this kind of movie loss all the impact when showed at Tv.

And it's like 3D slides. The first 30 slides are wonderful. Next ten are beautiful. Next 5 are just aceptable. Then you go back to 2D slides.

I don't remember really good films using 3D system... (didn't see the new ones). The best is "Dial M for Murder", but it didn't use the efects, except for a scene or two.

 

[Atomic Age]

3D proved to be just a fad a few decades ago, so it wouldn't surprise me if it proves to be a fad yet again. On the other hand, considering every new idea in film has been called "just a fad" on its introduction, I won't take a strong opinion either way. After all, people thought talkies would be just a fad - that nobody wanted to hear actors talk. I hope 3D movies do take off - but if it happens, I hope film makers learn how to use it right. In my opinion, the number of movies making good use of 3D are about 50% of the ones that use it. For every Avatar and Alice in Wonderland that do it right, there's a Clash of the Titans that's better without it. Ebert says that 3D dulls the colors of a movie, so even Avatar and Alice should be seen both ways to fully appreciate them.

Alice in Wonderland was NOT photographed in 3D, it was a 3D conversion, and not a very good one at that.

Doug

 

[Atomic Age]

I don't think 3D will survive for a long time... For a time it will be a novelty, as happened in 50s. But "3D" films usually are just this, the "star" is the system. Usually this kind of movie loss all the impact when showed at Tv.

And it's like 3D slides. The first 30 slides are wonderful. Next ten are beautiful. Next 5 are just aceptable. Then you go back to 2D slides.

I don't remember really good films using 3D system... (didn't see the new ones). The best is "Dial M for Murder", but it didn't use the efects, except for a scene or two.

Both "It Came From Outer Space" and "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" were VERY good films and use the 3D with restraint. Both films were directed by Jack Arnold, and he used 3D as a story telling tool rather than just poking you in the eye every 5 min.

Doug

 

[martinsantos]

Doug,

I'll try to see! Never heard about these.

Tks!

Both "It Came From Outer Space" and "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" were VERY good films and use the 3D with restraint. Both films were directed by Jack Arnold, and he used 3D as a story telling tool rather than just poking you in the eye every 5 min.

Doug