technology and social issues in film

Assignment

Technology is instrumental in certain films, especially in animated features and in science fiction and fantasy films. The most recent set of Star Wars films, such as Rogue One, for example, have all depended on technologies for special effects rendering. The technologies have transformed the viewer experience, allowing for a more media-rich immersion into the film. Even the earliest Star Wars movies like Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi did not use CGI like the modern films in the franchise but still depend on special effects to communicate with the audience about the realities of space politics. The Star Wars films have changed tremendously to reflect changes in technologies, and the overall look and feel of the newer “prequel” films is different from those of earlier installments. It would have been impossible to set a film “in a galaxy far, far away” without the use of special effects and technologies.

If no technologies were available to George Lucas for making the original Star Wars or any other films in the franchise, the director might have had to rely on painted sets only. This would have made the effects far less believable, which is why watching the earlier films like Empire Strikes Back does seem slightly dated due to the lack of CGI effects. The use of CGI in Rogue One, for example, allows for the science fiction themes to emerge while audiences can easily suspend their disbelief about what they are watching. Primitive special effects tools using camerawork alone are admirable, but can take away from the overall storytelling impact for films like Star Wars. For films like Rogue One that depend more on technology, the overall impact might not be as immersive as with films like Avatar, or especially animated films like Island Of Dogs, which could not even have been made without the technological tools.

References

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.) [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/

Assignment 2

Films that directly address social concerns have the potential to change the ways audience members think and feel about important political and social issues. Some filmmakers do not shy away from topical or political themes and in fact they deliberately create films that address difficult subjects or which serve as persuasive devices. For example, Spike Lee films frankly address issues related to race relations in America. In Do the Right Thing, Lee shows how prejudices prevent otherwise good people from being able to see past superficial differences, even causing people to resort to aggressive behavior. The film shows how people who had previously gotten along do not because they ally themselves with those of their own clan, and also how race-related tension can create broader problems in the community. Although the film does not have a happy ending, Lee does conclude the events on a high note by stimulating dialogue.

Other films that have addressed race relations in America include older films like To Kill a Mockingbird, and also Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. These early films were tremendously courageous in that they addressed race relations long before it was commonplace to do so. Spike Lee films take the discourse on race a step further, challenging viewers to confront their own personal prejudices and biases. Even Lee’s X, which is based on the autobiography of Malcolm X, encourages a broader social and political discussion on race. Through the story of Malcolm X, whose life epitomized the struggle for racial parity and social justice, Lee is able to communicate to viewers about how far Americans still have to go before their society is truly about liberty and justice for all.