This jump in quality is due to
multiple factors. The software used to create these movies is progressing
rapidly. They are becoming more powerful, easier to use and provide more useful
features. In many cases, the software used by production companies is open
source. This means they are free to use. Using open-source software gives
studios the ability to invest more of the budget into work hours.
One software leading the way in
the open-source animation community is Blender. Blender has released new versions that allow users to make
full-length films with cutting-edge tools. Blender has also taken steps to make
their software more accessible to individuals that are new to animation. These
changes include things like shortcuts, functionality and light physics.
The live-action community has also
been trending upwards in terms of quality and production speed. This is mainly
due to new techniques in recording and improvements in the postproduction and
editing strategies. Using newer techniques has allowed franchisees to put out
movies at an impressive rate.
One example of a franchise taking
full advantage of these strategies is Marvel. Since 2008, 23 Marvel movies have
been released. The most astounding part is that 11 of these have been released
since 2016! This means Marvel has released nearly three movies a year during
this span.
University libraries are not new
to providing production spaces to students. Gerardin New Media Center at
Georgetown University Library hosts a variety of different resources for
students to produce films. The main recording space is a large room equipped
with a green screen and projector. They also have separate rooms for editing
with high-powered machines and software. They also provide an individual space
for audio production that can be used to create or modify audio.
The Media Commons at University of
Illinois Library is also leading the way in film production spaces. The main
recording space is has a full green wall with studio lighting and multiple
microphones surrounding the stage. The room also has a switcher available to
increase the number of modifications that can be made during the recording
process. This reduces the amount of time the student needs to spend on
post-production. Media Commons hosts all of their equipment in a single room
and requires all post-production to be completed on the same session as
recording unless the person is capable of doing the post-production on their
machine.
The Edmon Low Creative Studios
allow students to record their production in the Recording and Presentation Studio. This
studio features a wall-mounted camera, green screen, smartboard and adjustable
lighting. The students have the ability to record using the wall-mounted
camera, their personal camera or a camera from the Tech to Go
desk. The student can then take their footage and edit it on the desktop
computers throughout the Edmon Low Library, or on the more powerful computers available
in the Edmon Low Creative Studios such as the iMacs, which feature the video
editing software Final Cut. This allows the room to be used specifically for
recording ensuring it will be available for students as often as it can be.
As the movie and film industry
continues to progress, so too will university libraries keep up with the
constant changes. These resources allow students to prepare themselves for the
fast-paced environment present in movie production today. They also give
students another medium to express their creativity.
What resources would you like to
see your library add to better prepare students to work in film?
Post by Jacob Hinchey, Emerging
Technology Intern
