Once Upon A Time In Mexico, 2003
Written by Mark Young
There is much debate in the industry these days over the use of digital verses celluloid film. Although I think it’s safe to say that digital is here to stay, I personally doubt the veracity of it becoming the industry standard. Hollywood is slow to change; they are still using the same script format that was developed in the 20’s. This is to their advantage as their ability to keep the industry standardized does keep the massive workflow in check. However, it may have cost them many great story tellers who could never quite nail down the industry standard.
HISTORY
Enter digital film, in 1975 the first digital camera was invented by Steve Sasson of Kodak. It took 23 seconds to take a 0.01 megapixel picture which the 8 pound camera recorded to cassette tapes (Zhang). Digital cinematography, although quickly following in the 80s, did not take hold until the early 2000s with George Lucas' use of the Sony HDW-F900 camera. Robert Rodriguez was the first to use the camera to shoot a “Hollywood” film Once Upon A Time in Mexico (2003) (McKernan).
ADVANTAGES
Digital cinematography has made many advances over the past decade. With the invention of the HD camera, and digital editing software drastically dropping in price, the monetary advantages are clear. The average person with a moderate budget is now able to film in a style that the common man would perceive as indistinguishable from Hollywood style. And this is where the primary advantage as I see comes into play. Young and inexperienced filmmakers can now tell their stories at an affordable price. This allows for Hollywood to see the new talent expressed without having to conform to a style that may be difficult for some to grasp, as I said in my earlier comment about script format. A talented filmmaker can now be discovered without having to make the common route of film school, intern, and personal assistant before ever getting to show their skills. Digital cinematography has changed the industry forever.
Works Cited
McKernan, Brian, and Bob Zahn. "A Digital Desperado." Robert Rodriguez: Interviews. Comp. Zachary Ingle. Jackson: U of Mississippi, 2012. 75-82. Print.
Zhang, Michael. "The World’s First Digital Camera by Kodak and Steve Sasson." PetaPixil. 5 Aug. 2010. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
HISTORY
Enter digital film, in 1975 the first digital camera was invented by Steve Sasson of Kodak. It took 23 seconds to take a 0.01 megapixel picture which the 8 pound camera recorded to cassette tapes (Zhang). Digital cinematography, although quickly following in the 80s, did not take hold until the early 2000s with George Lucas' use of the Sony HDW-F900 camera. Robert Rodriguez was the first to use the camera to shoot a “Hollywood” film Once Upon A Time in Mexico (2003) (McKernan).
ADVANTAGES
Digital cinematography has made many advances over the past decade. With the invention of the HD camera, and digital editing software drastically dropping in price, the monetary advantages are clear. The average person with a moderate budget is now able to film in a style that the common man would perceive as indistinguishable from Hollywood style. And this is where the primary advantage as I see comes into play. Young and inexperienced filmmakers can now tell their stories at an affordable price. This allows for Hollywood to see the new talent expressed without having to conform to a style that may be difficult for some to grasp, as I said in my earlier comment about script format. A talented filmmaker can now be discovered without having to make the common route of film school, intern, and personal assistant before ever getting to show their skills. Digital cinematography has changed the industry forever.
Works Cited
McKernan, Brian, and Bob Zahn. "A Digital Desperado." Robert Rodriguez: Interviews. Comp. Zachary Ingle. Jackson: U of Mississippi, 2012. 75-82. Print.
Zhang, Michael. "The World’s First Digital Camera by Kodak and Steve Sasson." PetaPixil. 5 Aug. 2010. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
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