Strictly Personal

Random observations on some of the changes happening in the DV world.

• More and more, filmmakers are choosing to work on their computers instead of shooting on location. Computer filmmaking includes animation, greenscreen, motion graphics and others. Set production is the traditional mode of filmmaking.
• Computers provide more control over decision making process. Shooting on set seems like cowboy trying to reign in the chaos
• Computer filmmaking is less social, this can be a good thing. No big ego’s to deal with, whether it be with cast or crew. Most times, it’s just you and the computer. And as far as I know, the computer usually comes with no ego.
• Less social is also a bad thing. It can be lonely clacking away by yourself. You are less exposed to stimuli, cooped up in your studio. You aren’t forced to deal with personalities.
• No time limits in computer filmmaking (for the most part). This could be a good thing or bad thing. Some projects need a lot of tender, love and care. While others demand you get on with it.
• What is being lost? Human faces. directing of actors and all that entails. Subtlety, especially in the human face, is in jeopardy.
• The embrace of conflict and of coincidence is also lost when you move away from the set. Most great ideas come from doing, not thinking. On set, you are constantly in the process of doing. On a computer, you are doing what is already been thought out. Somewhat of an exaggeration here but you know what I mean. You can change a story on set, you can’t do that easily on the computer. The computer makes you think, plan and then do what is decided. On set, no matter how great your plans, you will have to improvise. Sometimes this is a pain and in others it is a boon.
• With computer filmmaking, Stories will move towards the fantastical. The storyteller takes prominence here.
• Traditional filmmaking embraces extroverts. Computer filmmaking needs introverts.
• Computer filmmakers are software oriented while traditional filmmakers are hardware oriented.

More will be added as I think of it.