Why Study Motion Picture Evolution?

Why Study Motion Picture Evolution?

In the next series of pages, I will follow the evolution of motion picture technology and film in order to better comprehend its significance in communications. I chose motion pictures for the inspiring effect it has in story telling, technology and the future.

Because of the power of motion pictures, the beloved stories, finest actors and productions were brought to the public on screen. An example is the Phantom of the Opera - one of the first silent films. Phantom was a ground breaking combination horror and love affair story with the talents of Lon Cheney. The movie started an entire genre of horror to the public.

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Secondly, film makers took popular television (culture) and created a legacy that continues thirty years later. Motion pictures ignited interest in space, computers and the future. The power of motion pictures inspired a whole generation to create new technologies, medical advances and futuristic travel. The most popular example is Star Trek, a cross over from television in the late 1970's.

Star Trek - The Motion Picture (1979)

Finally, computer animation and internet technologies have allowed filmmakers to create the most difficult and complex stories. All three Lord of the Rings movies were filmed at the same time using the internet to allow Peter Jackson to be on every set. Because of technology advances, the limitations of money, time and distance in developing stories are effectively reduced.

The Lord of the Rings series (2001, 2003, 2003)