If you have the chance and a subscription to Netflix, the
documentary narrated by Keanu Reeves, Side
by Side, explores the discussions we've been having in class about the
changes from film to digital cinematography. Keanu Reeves interviews a
selection of prolific film directors who are first hand experiencing the
transition to digitization Some prominent directors include; James
Cameron (Titanic, Avatar), David Fincher (Benjamin Button, Fight Club), George Lucas (Star Wars), David Lynch (Blue Velvet), Martin Scorsese( Gangs of New York), and Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s 11, Magic Mike). The documentary, although simple enough for a lay person to
understand, is really engaging for all types of audiences because the movement
of the two mediums as two separate historical, social, cultural, and
technological entities is reconciled by accepting that even though change is
inevitable, vintage film isn't going anywhere.
Film hasn't had its final hurrah in just the “indie” market. Many
directors, such as Christopher Nolan, are very committed to still using film to
produce blockbuster films that can compete with highly computer generated
films such as James Cameron’s Avatar. The choice to use digital or film is a matter of personal
preference and professional style, not competence, as both film and digital
advocates like to remind us. One thing to remember after watching Side by Side, is that celluloid
film isn't a dated medium being replaced by digital film, the two are
still very much operating side by side.
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