Film in the Digital Age - Questions and Extra Notes

1) What is the advantage of using moving image story boards? 
Moving Image Story Boards were first pioneered in 1992 by Francis Ford Coppolla during the production of Bram Stoker's Dracula, and involve the directors and cinematographers utilising an 'electronic stimulation' of the story or scene that is to be created on a certain day, instead of using hand drawn, inanimate storyboards to 'pitch' a film or organise the crew. This creates many advantages - firstly, time is saved as less time will be spent constructing detailed sketches and drawings to detail the scene, and the moving image story boards provide a more accurate visualisation of what is to be shot so the crew can more easily replicate the storyboard.

2) What is the advantage of using DV Video Cameras?
The use of Digital Video (DV) Cameras to film documentaries and full length films is increasing, due to the many advantages this new technology has over celluloid film. Firstly, DV Cameras are more mobile, are lighter and much more practical and easy to use overall. The cost of shooting scenes and editing is also reduced as they do not need the expensive film stock, nor does their video require processing in the same manner. Complex scenes can be organised more easily also, as complicated lighting systems that are needed when shooting on celluloid are not needed.

3) What are the two types of CGI? What are the advantages and disadvantages of CGI?
CGI, or Computer Generated Imagery, is also seeing increased use in the film making processes. There are two types of CGI; Invisible Special Effects, which according to Buckland (1999) contributes to up to 90% of all of the work of the special effects industry, are not meant to be noticed, hence the name, by film spectators, and then Visible Special Effects, which produces "out-of-this-world" images to captivate audiences in a way that would not be possible otherwise. The advantages of CGI is that more elaborate and complex creations can be made that are both aesthetic and life like with the development of technology - however, CGI has also become more widely available to the public, with digital effect software reaching domestic audiences, and is sold by electrical retailers to enhance home videos and GCSE / A Level Productions.