The Tools and Techniques Used in Animated Films

Animated films are something that all ages can enjoy. Contrary to many people’s opinions, animation is far from something that is limited to children’s shows and films.

In fact, there are a variety of different animation techniques which are used to create specific types of animation, but each can be utilised in a variety of different ways to create almost any themes; from happy, go lucky feature length, to hard-hitting emotional shorts.

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Virtual Reality: The Next Step in Cinema Magic?

Virtual reality has been on the rise in the past few years, especially in gaming. Headsets for this technology have evolved considerably and its popularity grown; what used to be simply a sci-fi technology has become real and affordable.

But what could virtual reality mean for cinema? The imaginary and the fictional have enraptured audiences for centuries, and virtual reality would allow us to take the next step and actually be part of the fictional worlds we love so much.

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Top Halloween Films for the Family

October is upon us and that means everyone is thinking about Halloween. Costumes are in the shops, adverts are on the TV and it’s also a big time for filmmakers. However, not all Halloween films are 18+ scare-fests, there’s a lot of Halloween films that are aimed directly at the family, and that doesn’t mean they’re just for kids! Continue reading

The Best Films of 2016 So Far

We are coming very close to the end of 2016 and what a year it has been so far for those in Hollywood! There have been some truly fantastic films released so far this year and, who knows, maybe another smash hit could occur in the next few months. To remind you of how fantastic this year’s films have been, we’ve chosen a small selection of our favourite films of 2016 so far. Continue reading

The First Film

Filmmaking and cine films had their beginnings in the late 19th century, when technology advancements provided the chance to completely change how events are recorded. From immortalising precious memories to recording tragic moments, films like the Zapruder Film are invaluable pieces of history.

Thomas Edison and the Lumière brothers have often been credited for pioneering the technology for the moving image. Louis Le Prince, however, has been credited with the oldest surviving film, recorded in 1888.

8mm Projector Spools

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The Future of the Cinema: Are They Losing Popularity?

With the massive rise in streaming on demand, cheap DVDs and home entertainment systems, is the Great British pastime of going to the cinema at risk of dying out?

Well, despite all the doom and gloom from some within the film industry, it still seems that ticket sales are going strong. According to the UK Cinema Association, there were more than 16.5million admissions to cinemas across the country in July 2016 and the numbers for 2015 as a whole were healthier than they had been for the previous two years.

Cinema Festival

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Genre Spotlight: Horror

There’s nothing better than curling up on the sofa with the lights dimmed and popcorn out and watching a spine tingling horror movie. Once a rather DIY genre, best exemplified by B movies such as Day of the Triffids and low budget flicks like Nosferatu, serious money from Hollywood has been invested in the horror genre over the past couple of decades and brilliantly made scream flicks are hitting our screens right, left and centre.

Couple eating popcorn while watching a movie

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Is New Video Technology Killing Home Videos?

Everyone who owns a smartphone has the ability to film and edit high quality videos and quickly upload them to the internet, if you wish it. It’s easier and quicker than traditional cameras, and it has opened the way to apps like Vine that let you share your videos online instantly.

Home videos have been common since cameras first allowed people to film their families at home. Are apps like Vine becoming the popular choice that will surpass the traditional home videos?

Girl surfing the internet

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Genre Spotlight: Animation

We all love a good animation film. They can make the impossible feel real, achieving things and helping to create worlds that a live action film would be hard pressed to achieve. However, being able to achieve this excellence has been a long process that has developed due to the hard work and dedication of many individuals over decades. The wonders that it has produced include films such as Toy Story, The Lion King, Princess Mononoke and many, many, others.

So, how did animation develop to create whole new worlds for both children and adults alike to explore and enjoy? Just a pinch of movie magic and a whole bunch of innovation.

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The Evolution of Resolution

Films are a great way to store memories of your friends and family. It could be your first footsteps as a baby or a special celebration such as a birthday or graduation. Either way, it is important for people to store these memories in a way where the quality of the film is maintained.

In the early days, cine films were used to record home videos. Nowadays, we see the likes of HD and even 4K digital recordings that have the most incredible detail. By understanding how resolution has evolved over the years, it can help you know why it is important to preserve your most cherished memories.

film strip isolated on white background

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