This post is due by Tuesday, February 11 @ midnight for full credit.
Email late posts to rob.williamsATmadriver.com for partial credit.
Read our MEDIA@CULTURE book, assigned chapter(s) above.
In a SINGLE blog post below for ALL chapters in the section, provide for EACH chapter:
1. A single sentence, IYOW, that captures the THESIS (main argument) for each chapter.
In a SINGLE blog post below for ALL chapters in the section, provide for EACH chapter:
1. A single sentence, IYOW, that captures the THESIS (main argument) for each chapter.
2. THREE specific pieces of supporting documentation - ideas, concepts, stats, data - to bolster your thesis for each chapter. (Use 2 - 3 sentences for each.)
3. A single PERSONAL story of 3-4 sentences that connects the chapter directly with your own personal media experiences.
4. A SINGLE specific question you have after reading and blogging on ALL chapters of assignment.
Game on,
Dr. W
Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete1. Movies have remained one of society’s favorite sources of media entertainment throughout the decades, but with changes to digital filming and the convergence of media, the movie industry has to continuously adjust itself to meet the new desires of its customers.
2. Film began as a string of still images that were manipulated to look as though they were moving. This new technology captured the imaginations of people, for a little while. Then society demanded more stories, sound, and better picture quality. With each demand the industry reworked itself to keep its customers coming back.
Later on film again needed to capture and hold the attention of its viewers and did so by bringing back beloved faces time and time again, such as Mary Pickford. Major film companies began to rely on the faces they hired to bring in the biggest profits and opened movie palaces and multiplexes as a means to do it.
With the rising popularity of TVs the film industries’ new movie theaters were losing profits quickly, so they responded with the development of VCRs, then DVDs, and today Blu-rays. Even with the constant updates in physical technology, the major obstacle today is the internet. With everything a viewer could want available at their fingertips movie theaters and physical movies disks are becoming obsolete. The industry again must adjust to the demand for instant streaming of movies, even if it costs the industry a large portion of its profits.
3. Movies are a great way to get together with friends or family in a relaxed setting. When I am at school and it is finals week I will often take a break and just watch an uplifting movie. Or if my friends and I are looking to have a night in we will get some snacks and pick out a cheesy romantic movie. But when I do these things I rarely use DVDs or Blu-rays, instead we stream everything. As a college student I can see how instant streaming is taking over the market because majority of the time I don’t have the time to go to a movie store or theater so being able to open my computer and watch movies instantly is convenient and less expensive.
4. The increasing use of internet as a means to instantly steam movies is significantly reducing major film companies’ profits. How, if at all, will this affect the quality of movies being produced?
1. Chapter Seven details the creation and development of Hollywood and the film industry, detailing the impact it has had on cultures around the world, as well as how we view films today.
ReplyDelete2. “By the time sound came to movies, Hollywood dictated not only the business but also the style of most moviemaking worldwide. That style, or model, for storytelling developed with the rise of the studio system in the 1920s, solidified during the first two decades of the sound era, and continues to dominate American filmmaking today” (249).
“Despite Hollywood’s domination of global film distribution, other countries have a rich history in producing both successful and provocative short-subject and feature films. For example, cinematic movements of the twentieth century such as German expressionism…Soviet social realism…Italian neorealism…European new-wave cinema…and post-World War II Japanese, Hong Kong, Korean, Australian, Canadian, and British cinema have all been extremely influential, demonstrating alternatives to the Hollywood approach” (253).
“To maintain the industry’s economic stability management strategies today rely on both heavy advance promotion…and synergy-the promotion and sale of a product thoughout the various subsidiaries of the media conglomerate” (264).
“At the cultural level, movies function as ‘consensus narratives’, a term that describes cultural products that become popular and provide shared cultural experiences. These consensus narratives operate across different times and cultures” (267).
3. While reading the section of this chapter titled, “Outside the Hollywood System”, I was reminded of my French classes here at St. Mike’s. For the last two courses I have taken in the department, we have watched a different film every few weeks. Some of the films I enjoy, and others I find just plain weird. I thought that perhaps the mixed reviews stem from the different styles of European films. The differences between European and Hollywood films are poignant in films such as Couleur de Peau: Miel, a coming-of-age story we watched recently that is much more forthcoming with issues such as identity, xenophobia, and racism than American films.
4. How does the evolution of Hollywood culture, including the use of acting “stars”, further show itself in our modern treatment of wealthy actors, actresses, politicians, and the like?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1) Movies have evolved overtime to stay up to date with our media culture as well as contribute to our life in order to entertain us.
2) The early version of movies was the Kinetoscopes. This new invention allowed individuals to view motion pictures through the Kinetograph. This is much different than what we are used to by watching movies in a theater with many other people. Movie palaces began to come into play and begin to modernize the industry. They are what we now know as movie theaters or cinemas. Now, many different genres are available for viewers to watch movies of their choice. We watch all of these movies to entertain us and keep us hooked on the cinema aspect of feature films instead of just television.
3) Before reading this chapter and writing my response/summary, I had just finished watching “Dirty Harry” with my roommates. We look towards movies to keep us entertained when we are not doing any physical activities and look to unwind and relax. Thanks to the Internet, we are able to watch any movie without having to buy or rent the movie.
4) Will the female directors begin to become more famous and successful than male directors?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. This chapter is all about the sounds and images behind the movie.
2. Dating back to the 1880’s films have had a substantial social and cultural impact on society. The introduction of sound came in the late 1930’s with movies that had musical titles that were in fact all silent. When sound finally came to the movies Hollywood not only dictated the business as well as the style. Interestingly enough 80 to 90 percent of newly released movies fail to make money at the domestic box office. The Big Six are made up of Warner Brothers, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal, Colombia Pictures and Disney. These six major studios account for more than 90 percent of the revenue generated by commercial films.
3. I think the movie industry is a very competitive world to be a part of. There are always companies ahead of you and you want to create great movies and have good sales in the box office at the same time. When Hollywood adapted to home entertainment it was one of the best decisions. Blockbuster was a staple in our summer home because we didn’t have cable and Blockbuster was the next best way to watch movies and TV shows, and when they filed for bankruptcy in 2010 it was sad for us non-cable users.
4. How will Hollywood directors be able to improve their movie quality in the next decade? What new software and technology will be created?
From silent feature films to digital blockbusters, filmmaking has evolved into a mass medium that has left a major impact on culture and society.
ReplyDeleteAt film’s developmental stage, inventors like Eadweard Muybridge altered photographs to appear to move. Muybridge took successive photographs of a racehorse, “these early image sequences were extremely brief, showing only a horse jumping over a fence or a man running a few feet.” (241) Soon a minister, Hannibal Goodwin developed celluloid which eased transition between photographs.
The film industry became entrepreneurial as movie companies began reaping profits from these short films. The industry saw a transformation into an oligopoly with a small amount of studios controlling the production, distribution, and exhibition of these movies. The introduction of sound (talkies) proved to not just be a novelty feature, but revolutionized the practice of film-making forever. Films were becoming more technologically advanced as well as aesthetically interesting. Hollywood “authors” filmed their movies through a narrative lens, focusing on the “story and the discourse.” (249)
The film industry persisted through the creation of television, moving from the movie theater to the home. The internet oversaw the availability of movies to be streamed and shared online, Netflix is an example of an on demand streaming platform. The movie industry has converged into multiple platforms and is still making the convergence as technology advances. Films serve as consensus narratives that “describe cultural products that become popular and provide shared cultural experiences.” (267) They serve as narrative reflections of the people, ideas, and traditions of their times.
I remember when I saw The Hobbit in theaters, and couldn’t help but notice how different the effects were from any other movies I’ve seen. The 3D was really interesting and different approach to movie making. I think Peter Jackson’s new forms will start to become a norm in the film industry.
Will we ever see a decline or eventual ending of movie theaters?
Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete1. This chapter focuses on the evolution of movies, the Hollywood Studio System over time, and the economics of the created movie industry that is an extensive mass medium.
2. Narrative and silent films that convey spectacular entertaining stories had a role in the development of movies. Many of the elements involved in narrative films that are important to the successfulness in terms of reviews from critics as well as the perceptions of fans, moviegoers are advanced editing techniques, close up features, and battle scenes. A prominent figure who dominated the movie industry happened to be the great electrical and technological inventor Thomas Edison.
Hollywood’s near perfect climate made it an overwhelmingly positive space to shoot movies because of its great location, marketing, advertising ability to create extensive revenues, along with all the luxuries of one of the most popular cities across the world. The movie industry has three features that lead to the creation of mass motion pictures that include production, distribution, and exhibition of the focused event. In the 1920s, Studio Systems established as a consistent movement of movie production involving the search as well as recruitment of actors, directors, and movie set/lighting technicians to detailed contracts.
Movie palaces were created in order to lure audiences to come out to see the films and there were also company firms such as Paramount, Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal, Columbia Pictures, and Walt Disney Studios accounting for more than 90 percent of the money earned from commercial films. First feature-length and blockbuster films were prominent in the production of motion pictures was known as the Golden Age of Studio Systems along with newsreels as a preview story to the main event. To be able to deal with the growing number of homes with televisions inside by the 1950s, the movie industry began to shape their focus more squarely on social problems which was an incredibly active issue taking place at the time, as well as advancements in technology such as 3-D, surround sound, digital video, and streaming movies online from sharing websites.
3. I do not watch movies very often, especially when it comes to going to the movie theater because the price is quite expensive as well as with the additional outrageous costs for snacks or drinks. If I do watch films, which happens about once every month, I normally do it by streaming online because of the increased convenience for me. My favorite genres of movies are generally comedy, sports, and documentaries on sports players as well music celebrities I idolize. To me, films are just a good way to relax and be entertained by interesting stories when you have free time which does not come around often during my busy schedule.
4. Question from Chapter 7: What does the future of movie theaters hold? Will they eventually go out of business with the high advancements in technology (iPhone, television movie channels as well as On-Demand, film sharing in addition to downloading and streaming websites on laptops) as well as the continued inflation in theater prices? Are movies becoming less popular in society compared to in the past?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1.) Chapter 7 analyzes the development of film and the movie industry since their debuts, while also examining various changes to the story telling medium.
2.) The earliest version of film began with the Kinetograph. As the first medium capable of creating a moving visual, the invention gradually shaped into mediums more capable of playing images. Page 243 for instance mentions the origins to film narrative, thanks mainly to the introduction of the vitascope- which enabled filmstrips to last longer with few to no interruptions. With the introduction of film narrative came the need for content. As films were able to last longer, stories and engaging plots emerged. The 1903 silent film The Great Train Robbery (among many others) served as a basis for the capabilities of motion picture. With the new popularity of film came the emergence of the movie industry. As a new major industry, both quality and production took on a new look. As the industry drew in viewers and actors alike, new genres, films, authors and production techniques emerged. Since the introduction of sound, Hollywood has been a key force behind film production and the industry itself. Since the early 1920s major studios and production firms have taken their place in the industry, as today much of the movie industry remains dominated by a hand full of producers. (Walt Disney, Paramount, Universal, Colombia, Fox, and Warner Bros. accounted for 90% of profits from commercial film.)
Today indy films provide for a significant portion of available movies. The introduction of digital film has allowed producers to enjoy the benefits of lightweight, inexpensive equipment, thus enabling film makers to produce lower budget films for their target audiences. The spread of digital streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and Roku have also aided to the growth in indy and big picture films, as these platforms allow the viewer to enjoy movies in the comfort of their homes, rather than the theatre. These new technologies, however beneficial and convenient, have led to the downfall of numerous movie rental stores, like Movie Gallery and Blockbuster.
3.) I am not a huge movie person. It's rare for me to go out to see a new movie, mainly because of the price and quality. My impression of current American Cinema is poor. Based on what I have seen, I would rather save my money and watch classic, well produced films over new blockbusters. Netlix and Roku have been my saviors with film, along with the free streaming sites like the Pirate Bay. If I can watch movies for free, I will. The major producers already make enough money as is, so I care very little about illegal downloads and the "harm" it brings to the production firms. When I'm not watching typical movies, I like to turn my attention to small films and documentaries, as they are usually free of the external influence brought upon by large corporate producers and studios. I hate the thought of 6 corporations controlling the overwhelming majority of cinema and television.
4.) I'm always curious to see what the future of in screen technology holds. As television producers have upped the frame rate of their screens to enhance quality and add a life like effect, I am left wondering what the next big advancement in playback will be.
Chapter 7:
ReplyDeleteChapter seven discusses the development of Hollywood and the creation of films and how they have evolved as a mass medium.
Film dates back to the late 1800s. Like other forms of mass media, it has evolved and grown over the years. The concept of film dates far before the 1800s, back to the 1400s with Leonardo DaVinci who theorized that there would one day be a devise that reproduced reality. In the 1800s, the kinetograph and kinetoscope were created. It was a small projection system housing fifty feet of film that revolved on spools. This was the start of film production.
“The shift to the mass medium stage for movies occurred with the introduction of narrative films: movies that tell stories” (243). These films caught the attention of audiences, and captured the suspension of disbelief. As film rose in popularity, it also grew in its abilities. Sound was introduced into films around 1920. Hollywood begin to produce films of different genres and evolve as a film power. For many generations, Hollywood dominated the global film scene and American films made up almost 90% of the market.
I have always been a fan of films; family movie nights were a regular occurrence in my family. For the most part, I watch movies at home, but occasionally I will go to the theater to watch a movie. I have been able to witness film change and evolve, from VCR’s to DVDS and now to other digital forms. I have no doubt that film will continue to transform and evolve over time.
Will Hollywood continue to be the leading force in film, or will other global film corporations one day overshadow it?
1. Movies have become part of everyday life for every, society can’t get enough, this chapter talks about the development of Hollywood and how it as completely taken over our society.
ReplyDelete2. “Blockbuster movies such as Star Wars, E.T, Titanic, Lord of the Rings, Shrek, Avatar, and The Avengers represent what Hollywood has become- America’s storyteller.”(P.238) This is showing that books are starting to become a thing of the past. Story telling started as the best way to communicate then after the printing press was invented it was books, now movies have skyrocket into the best way to tell stories. “For generations, Hollywood has dominated the global movie scene. In many countries, American films capture up to 90 percent of the market”(P.253). American’s have dominated the movie industry for a long time but as Bollywood increases the globalization of acting has become more of a worldwide thing. “The biggest challenge the movie industry faces today is the internet”(P.265). This is the first time that you have seen other technology industries battle to make the most profit they can off one another.
3. For me I can get enough of movies. I tend to watch a movie every night to unwind after homework. I find that I can realize and really focus on the movie and will prepare me for bed.
4. Will the internet take over movies so people don’t have to go to the theaters anymore?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1.) The purpose of this chapter is to look at the history and development of the American film industry from its roots to its regulations.
2.) The chapter begins with a look into the invention of film by fellows like Eadward Muybridge, who used a series of cameras to look at a horse in motion, while George Melies introduced more fantastical stories, narrative and special effects to film with his own work later on.
The chapter then immediately begins looking into the Hollywood Studio System, where the Big Five- Paramount, MGM, Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century Fox, and RKO- owned all of the major production and distribution chains. It also looks at the first “stars,” and the development of Hollywood style genre conventions and writing techniques like Action and Horror, as well as the rise of indie films.
The chapter then finally looks into the end of the Hollywood Golden Age with the rise of Television and the incident surrounding the Hollywood Ten, who were imprisoned and blacklisted under McCarthyism. The chapter finishes with the usual look at how the film industries economics work, and how it has converged with other modern media like the internet.
3.) First of all, I was quite happy to see Hayao Miyazaki mentioned in the Global Village section, simply because he produced many fondly remembered films from my childhood. But aside from that, while most films today don't have much of a place in my life, two in particular greatly impacted my personality- Kiki's Delivery Service by Hayao Miyazaki, and Robocop. Kiki's Delivery Service, with its imagery of flight and magic and whimsy, was sort of like my favorite fairy tale as a child, inspiring a love of flight and stories. Meanwhile, Robocop was shown to me by my father, and until I watched that movie, I had very little concept or tolerance of the idea of violence, to the point that I would cry at the though that people ever had or would die in any way- an admirable trait perhaps, but not a healthy one when you live in a world where we all are, in fact, mortal. The depiction of robots- one of my favorite things in the world- taking part in violence helped me to accept the idea of violence, allowing me to form a healthier understanding of those things down the road. Both of these films contributed to my personality, allowing a love of pacifism and whimsy and innocence, but also a healthy understanding of and tolerance of violence and death, things which I absolutely must recognize as existing in this world.
4.) What is the new “best” system for maximizing ones profit and film quality with the arrival of convergence?
Ch. 7
ReplyDelete1) This chapter analyzes the movie industry and the impact of images as a medium for the public.
2) Hannibal Goodwin developed that transparent film that enabled motion pictures to be created in 1889. Now, in 2010 we have movies, like Avatar, that rake in millions at the box office and have a whole other film strictly for 3-D purposes. The evolution of movies has changed with the people. We now watch movies that are more realistic as opposed to the older cop and robber movies with poor acting. Movies nowadays almost become too real and can cause people to become uncomfortable or scared when watching.
3) Movies are my favorite things to watch, even on television. I would much rather watch half of a movie as opposed to a television show. Movies have a beginning and an end as opposed to television shows that may go on for years before there is an ending. The evolution of VHS to DVD to online streaming has made the movie industry much more available, whether that is a good or bad thing.
4) Will movie theaters ever become obsolete with the rise in online downloads of movies?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. Movies have evolved tremendously since they first came out, each new generation making groundbreaking advancements that have enhanced the way the viewers watch and think about movies.
2. -Movies had begun with a vitascope which was able to show film on larger screens for a longer time with better quality. This was the beginning of movies which quickly transferred to narrative films, which included plot behind it which made the films more story-like and more substantial.
-Soon after, in the 1920's Zukor, a film maker, started buying theater chains which let people view movies in a one room screening called movie palaces. The command of movie viewing by an audience put this into action.
-Movies today have transformed to story telling which directly relates to the movie viewers and creates a common experience for all viewers. A consensus narrative relates world ideas to society and makes them think about issues around them.
3. I absolutely love movies and was excited when the chapter focused on Avatar for a couple of paragraphs. This is one of my favorite movies and I think it directly relates to the consensus narrative that the chapter also talked about. Not only did the director completely enhance the viewing experience for the audience, but he also ties in a lot of controversial topics that kept people talking about the film long after they had watched it. That is why I believe it made so much money.
4. Where will directors take movie viewer from here and how can they further enhance the experience?
Chapter Seven
ReplyDelete1.This chapter shows the development of movies and production, and how todays convergence has impacted industry distribution of movies.
2.By 1910, movies had become a huge industry, and by the 1920s, the studio system in Hollywood had grasped the industry with controlling creative talent. Sound was introduced to the industry in 1910 with breakthroughs to loudspeakers and amplifiers. Many thought the golden age was over when movie attendance dropped down to only 25 million, in 1963, but the movie industry managed to make the appropriate adjustments in order to survive as a successful industry – just as it continues to do to this day. However, it still faces a huge challenge today – the Internet. The Internet has made video streaming such as Netflix possible. Convergence of movies with the Internet now makes it possible to stream and download movies on our mobile devices.
3.When I was little, I remember going to the movie theatre for a movie with my family or with a group of friends was the thing to do. But as I grow older, I find myself going to the movies less and less. Unless I cannot wait until the movie comes out on DVD, I may go see it in theatres. But any other time, I can be satisfied with a movie on Netflix in the comfort of my own home or dorm room.
4.Will the convergence of movies and Internet put movie theatres out of business?
1. Film production, distribution, and exhibition have had to adapt in order for movies to remain a popular form of entertainment.
ReplyDelete2. In the early years of film, there were no stories that went along with the moving images. People eventually tired of seeing pointless clips, so filmmakers introduced narrative films that engaged the viewer, securing film's role as a mass medium.
In the late 1940s movie attendance declined because people moved to the suburbs, bought consumer products rather than movie tickets, and listen to the radio or watched TV rather than go to the movies. In response, the film making industry made it possible to watch movies at home with a VCR.
In response to box-office failures in the 1980s, film companies began to diversify, offering more than movies. Action figures, clothing, TV specials, and soundtracks promoted films along with providing more income for the companies. This promotion through subsidiaries of a media conglomerate is called synergy.
3. The emergence of DVDs and online viewing of movies has really impacted my desire to actually go to a theater to see a movie. One night my friends and I wanted to go see a movie but decided to stay home and watch a DVD we already had. It was way cheaper and required no effort: we just had to turn on the TV.
4. Will DVDs and blu-ray become obsolete with the growing internet viewings of movies?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. From silent films to modern day digital blockbusters, films and the making of them has evolved into a mass medium that has left an enormous impact on culture and society.
2. Dating back to the 1880’s, films have had a significant social and cultural impact on society. The introduction of sound in films came in the late 1930’s. When sound finally came to the film industry, Hollywood not only dictated the business as well as the style. The Big Six, the top six filmmaking companies, are Warner Brothers, Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal, Colombia Pictures and Disney. These six major studios account for more than 90% of the revenue generated by commercial films.
3. I think the movie industry has an enormous impact on society today. I know I constantly am hearing people saying, “I just want to fall in love like they do in the movies!” People constantly are comparing their lives to what they see in movies. Taylor Swift even wrote a song entitled If This Was A Movie, which talks about how if her life were a movie, her ex-boyfriend would have come back to her. The film industry has a very powerful influence on the way many people see the world and how things should/should not be.
4. What new technology will be invented to enhance the quality of movies or enhance the moviegoer’s experience?
1.Chapter 7 discusses the development of Hollywood and how it impacted the film industry.
ReplyDelete2.The introduction of Hollywood changed the production of films. In the early days, filmmakers had no way to recognize the fans of specific movie genres, or the fans of actors. Adolph Zukor decided to control movie production not through patents but by forming contracts actors, developing the Famous Players Company in 1912.
Hollywood also changed the distribution of films. The earliest effort to control movie distribution took shape in 1904, with a film exchange program. However, as the number of production companies and popularity grew, there was an increase in demand for a distribution system. Under Adolph Zukor’s block booking system, exhibitors had to agree to rent films with no-name stars in order to gain access to popular films with big stars.
Hollywood also brought a change in the exhibition of films. In the early days, if theaters wanted to guarantee films to show to their patrons, they were forced to purchase a license from Edison’s Trust and pay whatever the dictated price was. After the Trust collapsed, theatre owners began forming film co-ops to compete with Zukor. Movie palaces began to emerge, providing moviegoers with a more hospitable environment.
3.I can remember watching short clips of black-and-white, silent films as a child and being confused because I didn’t understand how anyone followed to movie. I think it’s pretty cool to compare where the film industry started to where it is now.
4. Now that downloading movies online is so easy, will there ever be a time when movies don’t get released to theaters before they’re accessible to everyone?
1. How movies were first put into action and they’re march towards the domination of hundreds of millions of eyes, as well as how these movies effected and molded the culture that made them.
ReplyDelete2. Like any great innovation before movies could be made into masterpieces and seen around the world the business men behind the work would have to figure out how to run the business. For this Thomas Edison and many others who worked on the actual equipment for camera’s tried to monopolize the business by patenting everything that they could too ensure they’re hold of the industry.
“The jazz singer” is the first movie to be released with dialogue but audiences would stand and cheer for every speaking part. In 1928 “the singing fool” is released it cost 200,00$ to make but the profits were outrageous pulling in over 5 million.
The movie industry from its very beginning had huge human elements and implications. Early movies such as “the Birth of a Nation” were very openly racist, and because of this the movie was boycott by the NAACP. It’s not until 2009 that a woman received any recognition for her work as a director when Kathryn Bigelow received the best director academy award, as well as best motion picture.
3. Ever since I was a little kid movies have captivated me like no other source of entertainment, in many ways I feel as though I was raised by some movies because they had such a profound effect on my life. I have related almost all my experiences to a movie in one-way or another and now that I am older the movies I watch are becoming more and more fitting for the job that I hope to attain after school. The Wolf of Wall Street” is an outstanding movie and has taught me a lot, you never realize the effect that some of your actions have on others until it is too late and for myself and Jordan Belfort this holds true.
4. How will the movie industry make its next big leap? 3D was supposed to be the thing of the future but it seems as though it has not been a big success where do they go from here?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. Over the century, the movie industry has undergone technological, cultural, and economical changes, whilst remaining one of the largest mass medium in society.
2. The development of film first began as a manipulation of photographs which brought the appearance of a moving image through such devices as the zoetrope (p 240). This lead into the creation of motion pictures with the help from Thomas Edison and his assistant William Kennedy Dickson, who's invention combined previous innovations of others, and created the kinetograph and kinetscope.
The introduction of sound into motion pictures and the birth of the hollywood style gave way to the importance of Hollywood narratives and genres which completely transformed the types of movies that came out. Filmmakers recognized that audiences favored appealing plot lines and stories that had recognizable characteristics (such as a beginning, middle, and end; antagonist, protagonist, etc.), and appealed to these interests through various types of movies that fit current culture. “With growing legions of people gathering around their living-room TV sets, movie content slowly shifted toward more serious subjects” (p.259).
The movie industry continues to bring in millions of dollars annually, despite changes and advancements in technology. “Despite the development of network and cable television, video-on-demand, DVDs, and Internet downloads and streaming, the movie business has continued to thrive” (p.260). Movie revenue now includes ticket sales, box-office sales, and home videos. Over 1.28 billion tickets were sold at a price of about $13 each in 2011, and along with that, box-office sales rose to $10.2 billion. In addition to theatre sales, digital sales accounted for &3.4 billion of the home video total in 2011 (p.260).
3. As a kid, I looked forward to every Friday when my mother would take my sisters and I to the movies after she got home from work. I remember how excited I was to watch the new release of Harry Potter and other great movies. However, as I got older, I stopped going to the movies as much because of how much the tickets cost and because I knew I could just run to the Redbox right around the corner from my house if I really wanted to watch a movie. Even now, I would rather wait until a movie came out on Netflix or reached the Redbox or On-demand so I can watch it at home for less money.
4. Is it likely that there will there ever be a “Second Golden Age” for the movie industry?
Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete1. Movies have been a central source of entertainment in society for decades, yet it has continuously changed throughout those decades to evolve with the times and exceed viewers’ expectations.
2. I find it very interesting how film evolved to what it is today. From the most recent spectacular film, The Hobbit in 3D, back to the original films that were filmed through still images (almost like moving photography). The technology we have developed today has allowed us to come this far. As these still images started to evolve, so did the aspects that went along with it. Sound and picture quality came into play.
Then we moved into the world of the first rolling motion picture, where still frames were no longer used. Sound went along with the picture on the screen; picture quality was greatly enhanced, etc…
Multiplexes and movie palaces were the next big thing to open with the increase in popularity of movies. These opened a whole new industry in the US and around the world. This generated a large profit as well.
Today we have so much more than just movie theatres. We have DVDs, Netflix, Hulu, Xbox, DVD players, Bluray Players, etc… Again, our technology is a huge industry and generates large profits that can account for a lot of revenue in the US today.
3. Since I was young all I have loved to do is watch movies!! I was a huge Disney movie fan. I personally love to go to the movies. It is an expensive outing these days, but it allows you to escape everything that is going on in your life for a few hours and just be in another world, someone else’s world, if only for a few hours. I love to watch movies at home all the time. I prefer to watch movies over TV shows; I’m not sure how many other people actually feel that way. Streaming movies is extremely convenient for a college student who is always on their laptop and never in the same place.
4. What will the next big thing in movie technology be after 3D movies?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. This chapter describes how Hollywood movies came to be, and how as media progressed and improved the movie industry had to adjust to their viewers’ higher demands and requests.
2. The concept of film ages all the way back to when Leonardo daVinci was still alive. The Magic Lantern, from the 17th century, projected paintings on glass plates by using an oil lamp for its light source. Other inventions such as the thaumatrope and the zoetrope were also a part of the early concepts of film. By 1910, movies were a major industry. Though there were many companies that produced movies, Hollywood was the one to take over the movie industry becoming the film capital of the world. As media advances and products such as television start to become popular, Hollywood had to learn to adapt to the new demands of their customers. The movie industry started to focus on more serious matters that television didn’t focus on as much. Before they made this shift, most people would just stay home and listen to a radio broadcast and watch TV instead of going out to the movie theater. Ideas such as alcoholism and mental illness were focused on in movies such as The Lost Weekend, 1957, or The Snake Pit, 1948. Today, the biggest threat to the movie industry is obviously the Internet. People can stream any movie they would like by downloading it illegally. However, in 2008 Netflix started streaming movies and TV shows to customer’s computers and televisions. Other services such as Hulu also emerged and the movie industry was able to keep up with the advancements in technology.
3. Personally, I love going to the movie theater and I probably would go more often if it weren’t so expensive. Often times I will just wait until a movie comes to DVD or is streaming on Netflix before watching it. However going to the theater itself is such a fun and exciting experience. The screen is larger and the sound is louder. Now the movie industry is advancing further by making 3D movies so people actually feel like they are in the movie, which draws more people, including myself, into the theater, instead of waiting for it to come to DVD.
4. What will come next to make the movie industry adjust its techniques once more in order for them to stay in business?
Chapter 7: Movies
ReplyDelete1. Chapter 7 details the beginnings of filmmaking and the movie industry, while also focusing on how this medium has changed to adapt to convergence.
2. Early breakthroughs that later contributed to the formation of a new mass medium was the use of celluloid and the invention of the vitascope. The use of celluloid allowed a strip of film to move through a camera and have photographs taken very quickly in succession, to produce a series of pictures. As celluloid was transparent, aside from the images made on it, it was ideal for projection. The vitascope allowed for filmstrips of longer lengths than previously used to be projected without interruption. Movies began as a mass medium because of the narrative format, in which the movies told a story. The Hollywood narrative fit a specific genre, however, soon other genres such as comedies, dramas, romances, and westerns became popular as well. Hollywood movies usually fit the confines of once certain genre as it provides a familiar model that is able to continually be reproduced and the audience is familiar with the genres, so they generally know what to expect from the films. Today the biggest challenge the movie industry faces is the internet. To combat illegal downloading major services have begun selling movies for download online or allowing content to be streamed on services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus. In the 2012 more movies were purchased via digital online media than in physical copies.
3. I’ve never been much of a fan of going out to a movie theater to watch a new movie, however I do genuinely like to spend time watching movies. Currently most of my movie watching is done via Netflix. I tend to turn towards watching documentaries and independent films. It’s really discouraging to me to think only a few major corporations produce movies, as they focus more on gaining a profit than producing interesting content.
4. Will the ability to produce movies using digital film recording give a greater voice to independent filmmakers? If so, how will the effect the major corporations?
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. Thesis: Movies have continued to change and grow from the introduction of moving pictures to the Hollywood Golden Age to the changes after the rise of digital media.
2. Movies began with the invention of moving pictures by people like Eadweard Muybridge and Geroge Eastman in the 1800s. Following this, narrative films began to emerge, starting the history of movies telling stories. The invention of nickelodeons also changed the history of films, introducing theaters and paying for the viewing of movies. In the 1920s five large film companies had gained control over the industry; Paramount, MGM, Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century Fox, and RKO followed by three smaller companies; Columbia, Universal, and United Artists. This time was also the years for Hollywoods Golden Age, introducing the blockbuster film and talkies, or movies with sound. These films were and are put into categories like comedy, drama, thriller, or action and later on documentaries and independent films became more popular categories. Money from movies comes from multiple sources, like box office revenue, DVD sales, windows of release, foreign markets, work of independent producers, and merchandise. Movies have had to adjust with the rise of the digital age, dealing with movie downloading and streaming and changing the way we buy movies from physical copies to online versions.
3. While I love the experience of going to a movie theatre and seeing it "on the big screen", I find it hard to justify spending so much money on something that will be on tv in a few months or downloadable from the internet. This is a common theme for me with things like television and music; I continuously take the cheeper or easier option to view media.
4. WIll movies continue to raise ticket prices as movies as are illegally downloaded? Will they ever cap it?
1.Films have always had a substantial affect on culture and society.
ReplyDelete2. "Dating back to the late 1800s, films have had a substantial social and cultural impact on society. Blockbuster movies... represent what Hollywood has become- America's storyteller." (pg 239).
"With the major studios exerting such a profound influence on the worldwide production, distribution, and exhibition of movies, new alternatives have helped open and redefine the movie industry." (pg 266)
"Despite the development of network and cable television, video-on-demand, DVDs, and Internet downloads and streaming, the movie business has continued to thrive." (pg 260).
3. I consider myself a huge movie buff, so this chapter is extremely interesting to me. There is so much I did not know about the movie industry and how it got its start. I find it fascinating that as early as the 1800s we were producing "films" for people to view and enjoy. So the next time I go to see the latest blockbuster film I will be reminded of the industries simple start.
4. Will we ever see this industry become obsolete?
1.) Chapter 7 explains how movies have been one of the most used mediums and their impact on society. It also shows the adaptation of the medium in itself to satisfy viewers.
ReplyDelete2.) In the chapter it shows that America captures 90% of the world’s films. This shows that our culture in the United States is based on consumerism and that we enjoy the medium by receiving something from it, whether it is educational or purely for entertainment.
The circle chart of film company profits was interesting, I expected it to be owned more by major companies such as Disney. It turns out that the film industry is more spread out than the music industry and T.V broadcasting.
The indie film industries size relays the fact that our culture loves to personalize our media and film is one of the largest personalized mediums. Looking at smaller production movies such as Super Size Me and their impact gives small time film makers an opportunity at the large audience.
3.) The variety of films that I have watched throughout my life directly relates to the openness of the film industry. Films can be viewed at theaters to one’s personal computer. As a kid I would always go to movies with my family but now I end up watching movies on Netflix or other streaming sites. There is always varieties of films such as large productions that are good for special effects and then other films that are must sees because of an educational factor or the topic. Film and it’s audience can vary and there is always something for everyone.
4.) How will the film and movie industry rely on other media to continue to make large profits in the future?
1) Chapter 7 looks at the evolution of film as a mass medium and how the film industry has changed and adjusted in a comprehensive way in order to create a dominant enterprise.
ReplyDelete2) Film was essentially moving pictures at first that drew people’s interest because they were able to visually depict stories and then sound was added which added to the demand of films. Sound along with other technological improvements like theaters and greater picture quality were embodiments of the film industry and it’s mediation of film as a medium. Major studios dictated the supply of motion pictures which became the famous Hollywood. Films became oriented by genre which allowed for greater target appeal. Evolving technology like that of the VHS, DVD, bluray over time allowed for the film industry to alter its approach to better develop and distribute film. The internet too allowed for the film industry to have more streamline access to the masses through online streaming sites.
3) By far, my favorite medium. I find it amazing how much movies can invoke social awareness and add to cultural change. I remember the documentary Super Size Me by Morgan Spurlock became such a popular movie that it really changed how people viewed fast food and some would say even influenced the somewhat recent tide of consumer awareness in fast food. I found out that ironically much of what was promoted in that film is highly questionable but it just goes to show you that even if film is based on false pretenses it can still effect powerful change.
4) I recently heard that most movie theaters are moving to digital film and that ones that cannot afford this transition will essentially be phased out because newer films will all be produced on this digital format. Will this kill off small local movie theaters??
Chapter 7
ReplyDelete1. This chapter discusses the evolution of movies, and how they have stayed with the times in terms of content and effects.
2. One of the first things that happened which enabled motion pictures to be created was the celluloid in 1889, it was a transparent flexible film. The ways that people can access their movies has become much easier over the years, instead of having to go to the theater they are not able to watch them in their own homes. In the last couple of decades they have progressed significantly, from VHS to DVD to BluRay to UltraViolet. Technology and visual effects have helped progress things significantly, Avatar was a major player in the progression. It was the all time highest earning film in the box office, earing $760.5 million and it broke the path for the popularity of 3D movies.
3. When reading this chapter I was reminded of so many movies that I watched when I was younger, and I began thinking about the sophistication of the special effects in relation to today. When the book talked about Avatar I could remember the awe that I was in when I saw it in 3D, it was the first 3D movie that I had ever seen and all I wanted to do was sneak back into the theater and watch it again.
4. How will movie theaters progress in order to stay in business as the digital age progresses?
Excellent posts here, REV colleagues.
ReplyDeleteMissing in Action:
Saad
Buxbaum
O'Connell
Sandler
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Chapter seven analyzes the development of movies as an industry and culture. They begin by giving a brief history on the development of film, explaining that its origins go as far back as Leonardo DaVinci, “Who theorized in the late 1400’s about creating a device that would reproduce reality” (240). Other notable inventions that lead to the development of film are the thaumatrope; which was a card with a different image on each side that seemed to combine images when spun. And the zoetrope, a cylindrical device that rapidly twirled images inside a cylinder, which appeared to make the images move” (240). Thomas Edison spearheaded the move towards motion pictures starting with the kinetograph, an old movie camera, and the kinetoscope, which was an individual viewing system. As motion pictures became more popular Edison patented many of his inventions including the vitascope, “which enabled film strips of longer lengths to be projected without interruption and hinted at the potential of movies as a future mass medium” (243). The introduction of narrative into films was the first step towards films becoming a mass medium. In order for films to become a mass medium they needed to offer a more similar story telling environment to books, the narrative element leveled the playing field for film. The chapter proceeded to explain the rise of the Hollywood; which “became the film capital of the world. Southern California offered cheap labor, diverse scenery for outdoor shooting, and a mild-climate suitable for year-round production”(244). Later on they explain the six major sources that produce profits for movies today. The first source a movies income comes from how well their movie does in theaters, with 40% of the ticket sales going back to the studio. The second source of income comes from the sales and rentals of their film after it’s been released from theaters. Third are “windows of release for a film: pay-per-view, premium cable (such as HBO)” (261). The fourth source comes from any sales in foreign markets. The fifth source comes from the distribution of independent producers and filmmaker’s work. And the sixth source of a movies income comes from any merchandise sold for example a star wars action figure. The chapter concludes with the discussion of movies in the digital age. The Internet is one of the biggest challenges the movie industry faces today. After all the issues surrounding online file sharing in the music industry, the movie industry has been quick to adapt to the digital era, profiting through sales online on sights like amazon or through iTunes. Just two years ago marked the turning point when more movies where accessed online instead of through DVD’s or Blu-ray. The chapter identifies two potential long-term paths for Hollywood in response to the digital era. The first being that movie technology will continue to improve and more special effects will be added encouraging movie fans to watch in theaters. The second path includes less expensive digital distribution, lower budget films which would not make as much money in theaters but might find an audience that chooses to watch films at home.
ReplyDeleteThe more digital direction that movies are heading in is a little unsettling for me. Although I often find myself watching and even occasionally owning movies online I still cherish my DVD collection. Something about the physical ownership of movies is important to me. I’ll watch just about anything online simply do to convenience. However if I see a movie that moves me I have to own it. As movies become more and more digitized I hope that DVD’s do not get lost in the wind the way their predecessor VHS’s did.
Will the transition toward more digital movie viewing bring a different type of movie sharing experience?
Chapter 7:
ReplyDelete1.Movies have always been a bank of entertainment to the masses, with developments and expansions to maintain the satisfaction of these masses.
2.It all started when Eadweard Muybridge made the pictures apear to be moving. Then there was Edison's Kinetoscope parlor that was operated by coins. Following the improvments to the Kinetoscope was the Vitascope. However, movies were showed the way they are in theatres now until 1914 with the introduction of Movie Palaces. Sound came to movies, and the Big Five took over the industry. They continue to do so up to this day. With thier expansions and incorporating other companies or them merging with other companies, the Big Five, under different names, own 61.6.
3.Movies have always been one of my pleasures. I do go to the movies almost every week, more than that if I could and had time. Here at Vermont almost every one that works at Merrill's Roxy at Burlington knows me and my movie pals, who always go with me to the movies. Also, the people who work at Essex Cinemas know me. I rarely miss a movie knight at Cheray 101, and I also enjoy watching movies on my laptop, but that is nothing compared to the big screen. The big screen has its own magic.
4.Seeing how the use of 3D in Avatar affected the industry as a whole, could the producers come up with something as costly but more profitable?