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Out with
the Old
by Justin Case
In an attempt to keep up with technology,
it is not uncommon for people to upgrade their equipment with the next big
thing. Reel to Reel tape went
to 8 track, then to Cassettes and now to CD's. Film, for home viewing, has
gone from Beta to VHS and now DVD. The only thing permanent in technology
is change. All mediums are regularly affected by it and unless you're an engineer
or in R&D, you will likely be effected by some change in one way or another
whether you like it or not.
In the arts, audiences are very smart. Over the years the technology, that
has been developed for NASA and advanced military programs, have found their
way to each and every one of us. In fact we have gone so far as demanding
it. We go behind the scenes to show audiences how things are done and now
the audiences themselves expect more. This drives us profoundly to greater
heights in technology and as individuals.
In modern filmmaking, we continue to make strides in ways even 10 years ago seemed unimaginable. Many films today, such as Pearl Harbor, Gladiator, Titanic, we're not even possible until technology had reached the point of being able to create images so real, yet not captured on film.
Many scenes in today's filmmaking are totally conceived on a computer and either placed in sequence or in many cases within the same frame of a shot that has already been filmed and is being further enhanced by technology.
Many people are afraid of change or become intimidated by it. There are still millions of people out there afraid to use the Internet. I hear this frequently as someone turns on their HDTV, Surround Stereo System and their DVD player by remote control while cooking something up in the microwave and having a conversation on their cell phone. It's sort of an oxymoron. People are using modern technologies and don't even realize it. However, the fact that a person can choose not to take part is what makes this country what it is today.
One must remember though. With all of our technical advancements, we cannot replace the people that created them. In reflection, Let us never forget the tragedies of past and present in this country and the pain so many have endured. The many that have laid down their lives for all of us and the many that are still fighting for all of our freedom.
As we welcome 2002 and move further into this 21st Century, we will always have the new but less we forget the old. For the old is the foundation we build from.
Dedicated to all
the young men and women fighting for us all over the world and the memory
of the WTC.
For comments write to: justincase@hollywoodnewsnetwork.com
