With respect to the old Harry James song, I’ve Heard It All Before, life in our industry is becoming more and more like a moment from the old Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day. No matter what happens, the naysayers can be counted on to CHANT the same thing every time. Despite the fact that change has been a constant in our world since day one, they always predict that the next iteration means disaster. But if they’d only step back and take a serious look at the history of cinematography, they’d see that has never been the case.
Right now, we’re on the precipice of what will be the most profound and wide-ranging period of transition anyone has ever experienced. If the shift from film to digitally-based workflows was in any way disruptive, what’s coming in terms of artificial intelligence and its related technologies is going to upend things in ways no one has imagined. To give the dark side its due, it’s possible that our profession as we’ve known it will go the way of the Nehru suit. My study of the situation indicates it will send us in a direction of greater, more efficient and more creative possibilities.
With that in mind, I refer you to an article from the October 1947 issue of American Cinematographer. Apparently, there was a trace of paranoia in the air back then, too. Fortunately, the great Leon Shamroy, ASC stepped up to share his thoughts. Pay special attention to the fourth from last paragraph and take note of his tone. Everything he expresses can be applied in some form to our situation today.
I’d like to think his optimism is the most relevant of them all.
Wow, 1947 and they were predicting something like the modern digital camera!
Brilliant! Thank you for reminding us what’s possible and creative people will
always find a way to thrive.