The film industry has seen a great deal of technological developments over the years, revolutionizing how movies are created and viewed. Experiences are becoming ever immersive as the new advancements in tech continue to shift the landscape and how films are produced.
Bardya Ziaian, a Toronto-based entrepreneur and financial asset manager, is no stranger to technology or film. He is currently the president and CEO of SITTU Group Inc., where he consults companies, design systems, and invests in early-stage business.
Outside of his work, Ziaian is a film producer, writer, and actor working to build his reputation in the film industry. Ziaian steered the production and writing of his indie comedy, “Super Dicks,” and is also the executive producer of another pre-production film, “How To Kill Your Boss.”
In this article, Bardya Ziaian shares his top picks for emerging film technology he is looking forward to seeing develop in the future.
Filming equipment for smartphones
The ability to film and upload video using your smartphone has impacted film, allowing anyone to create their own independent projects without a lot of technical knowledge. Cameras in new-age smartphones have increased so much in quality that they mirror professional DSLR images.
Advancements and equipment made specifically for phone-based filmmaking has the potential to allow phone-users to get similar, high production value you’d normally expect from expensive camera equipment. Lenses, stabilizers, audio recorders, tripods, and much more – changing the potential of cinema forever.
Digital recreation
Creative editing and careful application of technology has been used for amazing things, including post-mortem performances like that of Tupac Shakur in Coachella of 2012. The ability to recreate faces, bodies, and dialogue has seen dramatic improvements over the years.
Digital effects have progressed to the point of creating a full lifelike copy of just about anyone. While the technology is incredible, it has faced some moral and ethical concerns, as not every actor is comfortable with the idea of making post-mortem appearances, while extras are concerned the ability to digitally create people will cause them to lose work.
Ziaian understands these concerns, but feels actors won’t so easily be replaced anytime in the near future.
“Breaking into acting is hard enough as it is, but I don’t believe these advancements will push actors out any time soon,” said Ziaian. “I understand the concern, but I’m confident those in the industry understand the importance of having real people on their sets.”
Virtual Reality (VR)
The current 3D technology allows for more immersive, exciting film experiences, and stands to be a wave in the future of film. With projects utilizing full 360 degree recordings can allow viewers to watch films the way we see the natural world.
A great example includes the short film based on the 2017 rendition of IT, titled IT: Float – A Cinematic VR Experience, which allows viewers to wander around the villainous clown’s lair.
However, despite its advancements, not every viewer can tolerate the virtual reality environment for the full length of a feature film, with many experiencing disorientation or illness.
Drones
Drones are great at capturing difficult shots, if not impossible, for a regular cameraman to get. The mobility of a drone combined with an algorithm that allows the machine to avoid obstacles and employ different filming techniques on its own.
Not only will this technology allow drones to go where normal cameras can’t, they’ll have the ability to maintain the framing of aerial shots with little to no need for input from sources on the ground.
As film technology continues to expand, filmmakers are excited to see just how far these advancements will go.
“These are exciting times for filmmakers, I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds,” said Ziaian.
