The world of film making has certainly changed within the past 130 years, technologically and methodically. Some of the huge changes are equipment accessibility and the ability to self-distribute content!

Today we have everything at our finger tips that the older generation did not:

Past: Used expensive bulky cameras, heavy equipment, long waiting times for developing and processing, and expensive specialized equipment.
Modern: Affordable high-quality portable video cameras and universal ancillary equipment.

Past: Filmmakers had to look for collaborators within their immediate community, personal recommendations and personal social network.
Modern: Now filmmakers can use the internet to have instant access to reach out to people with similar interests, who may want to collaborate on projects. Perfect example, visit Production Hub.

Past: Independent filmmakers had a hard time getting their movies viewed by audiences if they didn’t have monetary support for distribution, often their best chance was to get films accepted into festivals.
Modern : Distribution platforms like Youtube that also allow interaction from our audience.

Past: Filmmakers garnered help from personal social network and professional books.
Modern: Tons of Help! There are websites and videos showing tips and “how to’s” from professional and amateur filmmakers all over the world.

Even though some aspects of filmmaking have gotten easier, some new difficulties have arisen.

Past: Small amount of formats 35mm, 8mm, NTSC
Modern: Insane amount of formats. HD (1080i, 1080p, 720i, 720p), Standard/PAL,  Compression formats (apple Pro Res, h.264, h.2610), Sequence settings (Square, even, odd, none), and Video Codecs . IOts very easy to get stuck rendering constantly due to different formats or improperly set up sequences.

Past: Departmentalized film making. Creating films used to be broken down to several experts areas Special Effects, Foley, Scoring, Color correcting, Animation, etc.
Modern: One stop shop. Many consumer applications (like Final Cut Studio and Adobe Premiere) put all of the roles of filmmaking onto one person. Sometimes this can be overwhelming and result in poor projects, however sometimes it creates  multi-talented filmmakers like Robert Rodriguez. (Below is a TEST scene for Sin City, after the short video shoot, Rodriguez cut the footage the SAME DAY in his own editing bay, laid down a few special effects, and added music.)

How do you think the film industry has changed? For better or worse?

Currently we’re being overrun with video formats! There’s several HD formats on the consumer market (1080i, 1080p, 720i, 720p) not to mention the captured footage most commonly dealt with in post production (Apple Pro Res, H.264, frame rates, etc). This constant bombardment of formats can be terrifying for some people.

In an effort to relieve people of the headache of dealing with compression rates, director and editor Zak Ray of Worldwide Studios helped to compile a collection of resources to help solve the formatting nightmare.  This reference site has a guide for almost everything including, digital video, audio, graphic formats, as well as digital interfaces.  Not only are guides for different types of formats available, but also shortcut key guides for programs such as Avid, Final Cut Pro, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, Color 1.5, Compressor 3.5, and DVD Studio Pro 4.  Check it out, and if you have any more questions about formatting video contact AliVega Productions.

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When trying to work with  FLIP video (AVI format) in Final Cut Pro

1. See if the AVI file will play in QuickTime. If so skip to step 3.
2. Install the FLIP Software Plulg-in app.
3. Close Final Cut and Quicktime if open.
4. Open AVI files in Quicktime and convert them to MOV with a H.264 codec in the setting options.
5. After you convert all the desired clips they need to be re-opened in Quicktime in the new MOV format.
6. Quit Quicktime and open Final Cut.
7. Import the MOV files and you should be good.
8. If your still having problems try quitting and restarting Final Cut then reimporting the clips.

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