Computer technology in the movie industry

Thelllo"ie .. iIl_d_1.l~try U}lig1.l~!YJ~!:ovid~s the ~pPC?rtlmity. to combine the creativity of the artist with the technology of science. It was in fact the marriage of art and science that gave birth to filmmaking. While many advances and discoveries have been made in the tools used to make movies, support their production and distribution, and enhance their exhibition, perhaps none since the camera will have the pervasive effect of the computer. Both behind the scenes and on the screen the ubiquitous computer is beginning to have an impact on the movie industry. This paper follows a movie from its initial conception through production, distribution, exhibition, preservation and redistribution, surveying current and planned applications of computer technology and identifying areas requiring further research. It purposely focuses on the problems of motion picture production amenable to computer application and not on specific technical solutions. The latter will be provided in the session by guest speakers from the movie industry. With the emphasis on movies for this session, computer applications unique to television and other related fields have been excluded.