Museum of the Moving Images

  I can honestly say that I'm very naive to the world of film production. Besides the courses offered at Hunter I just stuck to makeup and holding the boom mic. However, the trip to the Museum of Moving Images helped me to understand how film and television developed. And, all the intricate details necessary in making a film. Costume, makeup, and set design were always something I've been into, so visiting those sections felt like I was seeing an old friend; excited, nervous, but genuinely happy. The real virtuality section of the museum was amusing, it showed a glimpse into the near future on how people are starting to and will interact with video games and films. The idea of switching perspectives and perceptions is amazing and can be a useful influence on how the director wants the audience member to view the film.
         The history of film showed the basic mechanics of film and television that is still used today. It's about speed, light, and moment of rest. This relates to everything we have been learning in class about motion pictures not really being motion. But, they are just individual pictures that are sequentially viewed one after another at a fast speed, so the moment of rest is not visible to the naked eye. And, light is the key illuminator, it manipulates how we see everything; whether it is far, near, blurry, clear...etc. A flip book demo I participated helped me understand this concept. As a group we danced around in front of a camera for a couple of seconds and the processor broke the images down into intervals of moments which revealed how we ( as the objects of the picture) were moving in each individual section to form this fluid visual. It was quite awesome, I like seeing how the basic concept of motion was broken down in this reverse order.
      Another demo I participated in was the audio booth; I spoke over Jack Black's character in School of Rock. (I wasn't very good, the timing was bad). But, honestly it was the most entertaining part of the whole museum. Voice and sound are not only apart of a scene or character, but they could stand independent as a scene or character. The time, effort and intricate detail enhance how the concept/message is communicated to the audience. As we experience a film we don't realize the causalities within it. For example,  I had no idea that in the movie Titanic the sounds of  a riffle, a soda can crunching, and an elephants cry were all used to dramatize the devastation. I guess life really is like the movies... in the most distorted way!
     The progression of television and all is functions are complexly intertwined with American culture. The way televisions and camera were designed reflected the consumer, or the purpose of its function as an item. The design of television went from large concealed pieces that looked like furniture, to being the center of the room; almost viewed like a work of art. As for cameras, we went from hand cranked, to self automated, and smaller and more portable with each coming year. So, this makes me think... is culture really being influence by current technologies? Or, is culture influencing the development of technology? Do we need smaller, faster, flatter, pieces of technology to suit our lifestyles? Or, are our lifestyles in desperate need of these new formats and functions of technology?  I'm not sure ... what do you think?