Looking Forward: The Future of Movies

By Gabriel Troiano

 

In previous posts, I have explained how the movie industry has been shaped by its history and have highlighted its ability to influence multiple forms of activism. But what can we say about the future of this industry? Surely, by performing such an analysis, we can complete our journey and look toward the evolution of this medium.

Many trends and innovations can be noticed when reflecting on the future of the film industry, whether going to the movie theater or reading about upcoming blockbusters. According to Nicolai Hartvig, 3D technologies are being utilized all over the movie industry and are also aiding in the fight against some of the problems associated with globalization: “3D is being touted as a means to help filmmakers reach new creative heights, make millions of dollars for Hollywood studios and curb the scourge of the industry — piracy.”

Other technologies that have risen during this period of significant change can be related to the science fiction genre, a particular section that has undergone vast amounts of reformations over the past decade. In her article “Final Frontiers: Computer Generated Imagery and the Science Fiction Film”, Stacey Abbott argues that the science fiction genre has almost become attached to the utilization of CGI technologies due to its reliance on projecting futuristic plots and otherworldly characters.

Along with the invention of new technologies, the movie industry itself has become increasingly dominated by only a few companies, thus being considered an oligopoly. This form of ownership has led this media outlet to have cumulative effects on populations by asserting their dominance throughout the span of multiple years. The ability in which movies can influence people is downplayed however by opinion leaders, who in taking part in the two-step flow, provide audiences with desired amounts of messaging.

Even though these achievements have become mainstream and seemingly natural to spectators, some challenges can be noted when addressing this topic. Fred Wagner from The Guardian argues that “watching alone means the very idea of a film takes on new meaning,” further illustrating the insurgence of programs such as Netflix and Hulu that modify

the movie-watching experience entirely. Additionally, A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis state in their article that such programs can pose a threat to movie theaters as audiences are now more inclined to pull out their tablets and enjoy entertainment in the comfort of their own homes. Finally, businesses that provide individual-oriented services are only strengthened by the fact that customers can now experience a wide range of media utilizing the simplicity of their tablets and phones, a process known as convergence.

As we move away from the bounds of traditional films, we can begin to explore the technological advances that shape this industry’s framework and its ability to influence millions of people. At the end of our journey, we have become mindful and aware of what entertainment can bring us and how we can better interpret its inner workings.

 

Thank you for reading!!!

Nicolai Hartvig- CNN

Stacey Abbott- “Final Frontiers: Computer Generated Imagery and the Science Fiction Film”

Fred Wagner- The Guardian 

A.O.Scott and Manohla Dargis

Can movies spark activism?

By Gabriel Troiano

 

The movie industry has the power to change the world by promoting various forms of social and political activism. But how exactly does this happen and what are the characteristics of this industry that have such powerful effects on society?

With increased government support and advertising, the movie industry has become a worldwide phenomenon, reaching populations from different backgrounds and shaping generations’ morals. Movies can now be streamed online instantaneously, forming new definitions of community that generate fragmented audiences. All of these innovations and services create a world where individuals are not afraid to express their views and are free to interact with a highly globalized network.

Following these same foundations in mass communication allows researchers and experts to determine why motion pictures have had such a significant impact in sparking activism throughout history. Among the many theories that have been suggested to understand these effects, there are two that most accurately define this relationship. First, the Hypodermic Needle Theory argues that media messages (films) have a direct and impactful outcome on the public, exemplified by Orson Welle’s “War of the Worlds” broadcast. Second, the spiral of silence theory states that when in contact with multiple media outlets, the majority opinion silences the minority, thus leading to a homogeneity of views. Both of these methods influence the ability to which populations engage in activism and take into account the role that movies can have while stirring such changes.

Finally, what is the public opinion on the capability to which movies can provide an outlet for activism? According to NY Times authors Tanziga Vega and Stuart Elliot who covered a group discussion on the same topic, highlight a quote from a TV director that stated that “Using movies to make a case for social change is a great way to get people to the table.” The same director pointed out that movies such as “Contagion” and “An Inconvenient Truth” are great examples of how the film industry should inform its audience about meaningful topics that deserve ample recognition.

In addition to these arguments, Ellen Jones from The Guardian elaborates on a strong quote from a documentarian, stating that “There’s real power in a documentary, and there’s real power in movies to begin with. Movies transcend culture; they transcend countries, and to be able to have something that can create global awareness is necessary today.” One example that clearly represents this direct impact can be illustrated by the Catharsis Effect, which suggests that viewers take advantage of violent media depictions to provide emotional releases during screen time. Even though these releases aren’t directly tied to individual violent behavior, populations as a whole feel compelled to act and to improve the status quo in any way possible.

We have now seen that movies have direct impacts on sparking activism. The question that remains now is, what movie are you going to watch next?

 

Thank you for reading!

Here are the sources that I utilized for this post:

Tanziga Vega and Stuart Elliot- NY TIMES

Ellen Jones-THE GUARDIAN

 

 

The Past and Present of The Film Industry: How Did It Come About and Where Does It Stand Now?

The film industry has developed quickly, constructing fragmented audiences and changing the world of entertainment.

By Gabriel Troiano

 

The film industry has had many ups and downs throughout its history, but one thing remains constant: its ability to entertain. In this post, I will address the history of the film industry and how this media outlet has evolved since its creation.

Going back almost 120 years ago, the “moving picture” was deeply rooted in chemistry. According to John Vivian, this technology utilized a photographic concept known as “persistence of vision.” This allowed filmmakers to assemble various images that if flipped rapidly, could create an illusion of movement. Such a discovery enabled great innovators, such as Thomas Edison, William Dickson, and George Eastman, to expand the boundaries of filmmaking, which eventually led to the revolutionary showings of Auguste and Louis Lumière.

Through diffusion of innovations, these foundational technologies were transferred to other countries, where most notably, Hollywood was created. According to The Guardian author Philip French, this American industry had its success by enduring various historical challenges, resulting in very impactful and resounding movies.

So you may be wondering–What does the movie scene look like today? Well, sourcing some mind blowing statistics, the U.S. government states that the filmed entertainment industry has reached a revenue of approximately $120 billion since January 2017! We can therefore conclude from this finding that audiences have become increasingly fragmented and demassified as niche interests start to appear. Finally, movies now fulfill a variety of different purposes (such as to inform and to amaze) that, according to the New York Film Academy, are fueled by genres and subgenres such as thriller, detective, horror, drama, and many others.

Now that we have learned more about the beginnings of the film industry, this can help us project ideas about its future and its immediate impact on our cultures.

 

If you got to the end of this, THANK YOU!!!

Below, I have attached the links that I’ve used if you are interested in more facts about the film industry!

 

New York Film Academy

The Guardian

U.S. Government

John Vivian