top of page

Why film vs. digital?

CONTEXT 

     In the late 19th century, the cinematograph was invented, captivating audiences worldwide with its ability to display moving images. Over time the motion-picture industry soon came to dominate, roping in large amounts of revenue globally. New technologies made cinema possible, creative style began to vary within the filmmaker. 

​

​

    In the camera, there was light that hit a strip of flexible film that mechanically ran through a camera. Digitized cameras have helped the advancement of filmmaking with reducing the cost of movie-making and allowing for more creative ability. The use of film strips is impossible to reuse; going digital has made less waste with the canisters of film. Shooting the actual film takes less time, more angles can be used, and the audience feels a more authentic look. Film is also extremely flammable over time, making it hard to preserve classic films.

 

   With these benefits in mind, there are movie-makers that argue film is better than digital, sparking a debate within the industry between film and digital filmmaking. 

 

    Filmmakers and film-users argue that the digitalization prevents the nostalgic feeling these old movies can bring. Furthermore, Quentin Tarantino, a widely known filmmaker in the digital era, stated: “If I can't shoot on film I'll stop making movies," he said on Los Angeles radio station KCRW's show “The Treatment''. However, the digital era has provided much benefit: new camera angles, higher quality video cameras, and drones. These technologies can be seen in the successful marvel movies with thousands of visual effects integrated into the film. 

film  banner_edited.jpg

All images and multimedia created by the students unless credited otherwise

Rock Canyon High School

5810 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch, CO 80124

bottom of page