Digital Art in Film

Tyler Peterson

Digital Art in Film

Thanks again for compiling the website for the group Mike. Below is what I would like to appear on the website divided by questions. My works cited follows. I included links to youtube videos and embedded pictures into the document that are to appear in the appropriate section. Let me know if you need more pictures or have any questions/problems. I tried to make it as simple as possible.

1. Topic/Background/History Relevance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmVXOWe5o0

Picture from (http://www.pixar.com/featurefilms/index.html)

Advances in technology have enabled filmmakers to create visually stunning masterpieces that were once a figment of their imagination. Let me begin with “Toy Story,” the first breakthrough in the marriage between technology and film. “Toy Story” was the first Hollywood computer generated (cg) film, primarily aimed at the younger generation but enjoyed by all. Advances in technology also has improved the visual effects aspect in many film, making what once seemed to be impossible now a reality. I will be examining the effects of technology in relation to film and how these digital advances can be considered as art.

The history of digital art in film is relatively small in comparison to the entire history of film dating back to the early 1900’s and Thomas Edison. I would like to begin in 1995, with the real first breakthrough in utilizing computers and technology to create the film “Toy Story.” This one event seemed to ignite the idea that computer made graphics could be used instead of the traditional cartooning. “Toy Story” also led to the idea that computers can be used to create special effects in action films such as “Jurassic Park” and more recently “300.” Teams of computer programmers are creating such a stunning visual backdrop in films that it is replacing the traditional technique of filming on location and blowing real things up (as much fun as that is). It is now, as a film audience, hard to tell the difference between what is reality and what is virtual reality in film, something that places great significant impact on the whole experience of watching a film.

2. Defend/Define why digital art in film is art:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPMvfaF2tao

It is pretty apparent why the use of technology in film is considered as art; it is replacing the traditional sense of art direction in contemporary film. For example, “Toy Story” introduced a new medium in which film can be produced and enjoyed. It takes a creative process to create computer animated films. Deepak Chopra states that “creativity comes from having an intended vision, then gathering information, then analyzing the information, then incubation…sooner or later, you have the eureka experience” (1). The final product is considered art because it falls directly in the definition of art which is “The expression of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form…producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power” (Computer Dictionary). I believe it takes both what Deepak says about creativity and how we define art to come up with why certain aspects of life are considered as art, such as digital technology in film.

The use of digital art in film is a natural progression of advancement and is foreshadowing what to expect in the years to come. It is the way the industry is heading and is becoming the staple of how to create visual effects in film. Using computer technology to create film provides the artist with a limitless pallet only constrained by his/her imagination. In some respect, digital art could be considered more of an example of art than tangible creations because the options are literally limitless to what one can create. This creates an environment that is extremely conducive to creativity and in turn is a perfect example of why the use of computer technology in film is considered art.

3. Discuss the relationship between film and culture. How does it impact culture? Communicate values/beliefs/etc. ?

Film is an American pastime. That being said, the use of digital art in film has an immense impact on culture and communicates values and beliefs through the way that it is presented. People go to movies to take a step out of their reality and step into that of the filmmakers. Being a filmmaker myself, my main go is to make the viewer forget about the world that they live in and be taken by the story