Impact of Technological Advances

Filmmaking is an often pursued career and pastime. In the past, movies always had to be shot on film. This was something that was very expensive, and for good quality, often required large bulky equipment. In his biography, Peter Jackson (director of The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit Trilogies) wrote:

"I was always thinking of ideas that were ambitious, technically complex films and all I had was a little Super 8 camera that couldn't shoot sound. So I'd always be disappointed by the results and eventually abandon one project and start work on something else. This pattern of being unable to make something within my means-an most of all original- became something I was conscious of and which started to worry me."

This shows that filmmaking has always been something that, with enough creativity can be achieved. However, not being able to shoot sound is something that highly restricts this creativity. Over time, technology has developed and become a lot cheaper. Colour and sound film became much more accessible. At this time, though, it was still very expensive.

It was only recently that DSLR cameras started to be introduced where films could be shot completely digitally, therefore negating film and its cost. This has made it a lot easier for people to themselves become a producer. Cameras and lenses have become cheaper and more accessible.

The internet has also had a huge impact. Things like YouTube allow people to upload their own work, becoming their own distributor. There is also now access to quality tutorials on filmmaking for free online, which allows people to advance their skills and learn without necessarily loosing lots of money from experimentation and trial and error. It also means they do not necessarily need a formal education on the subject.

Other websites, like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, have also had a big impact of filmmaking. It has meant that people have easier access to their audience and to money that they may not have initially been able to make their films. This allows people to be more creative and explore stories and subjects that big studios and investors may have been cautionary and weary of.