The Medium Is The Message: Film Vs. Digital

Summary

This script explores the impact of medium on cinematic storytelling, echoing Marshall McLuhan's 'medium is the message' theory. It delves into the technicalities of film versus digital, highlighting how each medium's unique characteristics—like film grain and digital clarity—affect audience perception. The script uses examples from 'Phantom Thread' and 'Ex Machina' to illustrate how the choice of medium can reinforce a film's narrative and thematic elements, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right tool for the story's visual expression.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The script discusses the ongoing debate between film and digital in cinema, emphasizing that the medium can influence the message and audience perception.
• 📚 Marshall McLuhan's theory 'the medium is the message' is introduced, suggesting that the medium of presentation is crucial to the impact of the content.
• 🎞️ Film is described as a photochemical process that captures images on an emulsion and projects them through a projector, which was the dominant medium until the early 2000s.
• 📹 Digital cinema cameras capture light in pixels and store it digitally, becoming the dominant medium post-2010s, with footage shown via digital projectors.
• 🌟 The script argues for the psychological impact of the choice between film and digital on audience interpretation of a movie's story.
• 📏 The differences between film and digital are categorized into texture, practical differences, and base characteristics of the mediums.
• 📽️ Film grain is highlighted as a desirable texture in film, associated with nostalgia and sentimentality, contrasting with the predictable digital noise.
• 💰 The practical limitations and costs of shooting on film are discussed, including the price of film stock and development, versus the extended roll capabilities of digital cameras.
• 🌈 Film stocks have fixed ASAs and color temperatures, influencing the look of the film, while digital offers flexibility with adjustable settings and post-production adjustments.
• 🎨 Examples are given to illustrate how different mediums can enhance the storytelling in genres like period films (Phantom Thread) and science fiction (Ex Machina).
• 🤹‍♂️ The script concludes that there is no superior medium, but rather different tools for storytelling, and filmmakers should choose the medium that best conveys the intended message.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the script regarding the debate between film and digital in cinema?

The script argues that the medium of film or digital is not just a technical choice but is intrinsically linked to the message of the film, affecting how the audience interprets the story on a subconscious level.

Who is Marshall McLuhan and what theory does he propose in relation to media and message?

Marshall McLuhan is a theorist who, in his 1964 book 'Understanding Media', proposed the idea that 'the medium is the message', suggesting that the medium in which content is presented is as important as, if not more important than, the content itself.

What is the basic principle behind traditional film photography as described in the script?

Traditional film photography involves a photochemical gelatin emulsion that absorbs and imprints light rays onto the film when exposed. After exposure, the film is developed using chemicals to fix the image, usually creating a negative that is then turned into a positive for projection.

How does the script differentiate between film and digital in terms of texture?

The script describes film texture as having a random and visually desirable grain due to its chemical nature, while digital texture or noise is predictable and patterned, often viewed as undesirable, leading to the use of de-noising software.

What are some of the practical differences between shooting on film and digital as outlined in the script?

Shooting on film is more costly due to the price of film stock and its development, and typically results in fewer takes due to these costs. Digital cameras can roll for longer periods with the main cost being hard drive storage, allowing for more takes and options.

How do the inherent characteristics of film and digital cameras differ according to the script?

Film stocks have set ASAs and color temperatures, producing colors with beautiful contrast without being overly saturated. Digital cameras can adjust ASA and color temperature easily, and when shooting in raw, allow for large adjustments in post-production, unlike film which 'bakes in' the look of the captured light.

What is the significance of the medium choice in the context of the film 'Phantom Thread' as discussed in the script?

In 'Phantom Thread', shooting on film with increased textural grain through push processing was used to create a 'dirtied up' look, contrasting the polished conventions of period films, thus reinforcing the old-world storytelling.

How does the script relate the choice of medium to the film 'Ex Machina'?

For 'Ex Machina', a cleaner, digital medium with 16-bit color science shot at 4k was chosen to visually support the futuristic and clinical message of the film about artificial intelligence.

What is the argument made in the script regarding the medium choice for character studies in films like 'The Wrestler' and 'The Joker'?

The script argues that the medium should support the storytelling and character portrayal. 'The Wrestler' uses 16mm film to convey a gritty, personal story, while 'The Joker' uses large format digital capture to provide an intimate perspective connecting the audience to the character.

What conclusion does the script draw about the debate between film and digital mediums in cinema?

The script concludes that there is no superior medium; both film and digital are different tools that filmmakers can use to tell stories effectively. The choice of medium should be guided by which one best conveys the intended visual idea and supports the story's message.

What is the script's stance on the importance of considering the impact of technology on the audience when choosing a medium?

The script emphasizes that regardless of whether the film is shot on a phone or 70mm film, it is crucial to consider the psychological impact of the technology on the audience, as it can influence how they perceive and interpret the story.