After engaging in Internet-based research on the relationships between the technical, visual and production aspects of film and television I have found that many similarities between techniques used in contemporary films and television. It is a well-known fact that the film industry appeared first and only then followed the era of television. Earlier rivals, nowadays, motion pictures and television are becoming more interconnected. Moreover, the techniques used in contemporary films and television are not confined to a traditional set of techniques usual for each of these industries. The borderline between them is becoming more and more subtle.
I started my research with the history of the development of the film industry and television. I have learnt that films and television affected each other in many ways. It should be emphasized that breakthroughs in the television industry were based on the knowledge of film making. Thus, television applied the same techniques as cameras, lenses, shortcuts, receivers and transmitters. Films were first to be recorded in color while TV remained black-and-white and only later adopted color technique.
Alongside this, television also greatly affected film production. In terms of historical development, “all mass marketed feature films were made to be shown in movie theaters. The development of television has allowed films to be broadcast to larger audiences, usually after the film is no longer being shown in theaters” increasing films’ availability (Berger, 2007, p. 78).
It should be mentioned that “good visual design involves a number of factors, such as light, figure/ground relations, shape, frame, balance, perspective of mass and line, color, content” (Ward, 2003, p.15).
As far as the visual film techniques are concerned, it is necessary to point out that the main technique used in contemporary television is the use of cameras, films and a visual image, i.e. a person or some event. As well as in films directors shot their films, TV also uses film techniques, such as cameras, lenses, amplifiers to create a visual story and then transmit the images to the viewers. Contemporary television also engage the techniques used in the films as focal length, perspective, composition and sound. It is obvious that a sound source is inevitable in both films and TV.
Another film visual technique adopted by television is different styles of shooting that are used in a great variety in film production. The visual style technique presupposes various levels of camera height, special ways of shooting, camera movements, lens angle and the like (Kenny, 2004, p. 142). In television, however, usually only simple style techniques are used.
As far as the television influence over film techniques are concerned, first, it is the use of analogue video that is used in television. The films are usually shot using a film stock where captured images are kept. The processing of a film stock is a time-consuming process compared to the analogue video approach. Thus, implementing this technique in film production makes it easier and faster to receive evaluation of the footage or some objective comments of the professionals in the sphere of filmmaking. Therefore film makers tend to use more efficient digital cameras to improve the quality of the production. Another benefit film industries get due to the use of television techniques is that it allows producing digital copies of movies quicker and cheaper than it was with movies on film stocks. However, it should be mentioned that a lot of films are still being shot on film stock.
Concluding it should be mentioned that film production and television are inseparable spheres nowadays that influence one another in many ways and continue to develop and adopt different specific visual techniques. However, despite this fact, they are still perceived separately.
References
Berger, A. (2007). Seeing is believing – an introduction to visual communication. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Kenny, R. (2004). Teaching TV production in a digital world: integrating media literacy. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Ward, P. (2003). Picture composition for film and television. London: Elsevier.