ARTZEE
Everything in this world has a history, some more influential than others. Today we talk about the evolution of videography/ video production. The process of capturing a moving picture and reducing it into a compiled video used to be something out of a sci-fi book. Now it has made its way into everyday life for the majority of the human population going from fantasy gadget to everyone’s pockets.
Video production these days still have some elements of old filmmaking, it has especially evolved mostly through digital equipment, the internet, and technology. Not to mention, bright minds of the past that brought to us these innovative inventions that we use regularly today. Let us take a trip down the old lane and see how video production has snowballed into what it is today.
Evolution of videography
1826- This is when the first black and white picture was taken, by Joseph Niepce.
1832- Then came Joeseph Plateau who was the first to take a movie picture through his invention called the phenakistoscope.
1870- John Wesley Hyatt developed celluloid (transparent plastic sheet) to use as a base for the cinematographic film.
1878- Zoopraxiscope was being used to capture animal movement using multiple images creating an illusion of motion. Taking closely captured images to create an illusion was very popular.
1902- There would be color in some segments of the film, in 1918 it went to full-colored ones.
1927- The films made were now with sound.
The rise in computers led to the promotion of other technologies.
1964– Sony came out with its first video recorder.
1973-76– videos could be stored in discs instead of film and later laser discs and VHS tapes were introduced.
In mid 19th century, there was a huge development in video production. Non-linear editing came about in technology. Many technological advancements were made to bring us to where we are now. The cameras were evolving into new gadgets that increasingly became easier to handle and better quality. They each had their own special twist to it. Further editing software where developed and improved to use to make video editing smoother and give more options to be creative. The modification of technology has led us to incredible ways of video production. Here are some categories that video production has split into.
Video production categories
- Virtual reality video production
Virtual reality is an interactive way of watching videos or playing games. It is accessed via virtual reality headsets where the user can be fully immersed in the environment. The user will feel like a part of the stimulation. This can be used well for immersive advertising experiences. Not only does its immersion include the eyes but it has become to be so advanced that it can track your hand movement as well as where you are walking. This created an opportunity for people around the world to go wherever they wanted even a fantasy land by the comfort of their home. This has also helped in therapy as people who have fears of certain places or situations can be placed in one using VR in the safety of their homes thus eventually being able to overcome the fear.
- Animation video production
Animation is a very popular form of videography. Although it doesn’t include a camera and a set it does the job just as well or even better. Animation is a form of videography that is not bound by reality, characters and landscapes never seen before can be created using CGI, hand-drawn animations, etc. If an animator wills it, anything can come to life. It brings more options to the table as any scenario is possible and not bound by what equipment or setting is available in real life. Anything and everything is possible to make.
- Web video production
The name speaks for itself, videos made for websites. They are used to advertise their company and brief the services they provide. It is a very effective way for potential clients to see what a company can offer. Not just in writing form that can sometimes feel too formal, a website video has the ability to feel personal with the potential client, and through using sound effects and background music it’s very easy to set a tone that will make future clients more willing to work with the company.
Difference in Film Making Now verses Then
As I’ve mentioned before, videography has evolved exponentially since Joseph Niepce invented the idea of capturing a still image. Technology beyond our imagination was invented by brilliant minds and over time finetuned into the high-quality equipment used today in film making. It is truly mind-blowing when you see how far we have come as humanity in terms of technological achievements.
Cameras that were at first devoid of color and couldn’t capture the scenery at its finest are now able to not only capture all the vibrant colors of the world even while moving but are also so detailed it’s almost just as good as the real thing.
Video cameras that were lacking sound are now able to capture the sound of a single pin-drop and now with new and improved software, you can add any sound of your liking, setting the tone however you prefer.
Not to mention animation that has come so far, starting from each frame being hand-drawn by multiple hard-working animators to software being made and improved so that a single animator can make an entire movie using tools provided in the same amount of time it would’ve taken multiple animators of the era to make a 20-minute episode plus the better quality and detail.
All of this and more. It is truly fascinating how far technology has come to help us create such fine pieces of art, and we can safely assume this isn’t the end of our journey. Videography to this day and age still manages to surprise the audience with newer and fresher takes on old ideas. In the end, however, there are still some aspects of old-time filming in this day and age. But there have been so many developments and advanced changes in the technology of film making that it is faster and easier for absolutely anyone to film and edit in just a matter of a few hours.
