How Editing Technology Is Changing The Landscape of the Filming Industry

For photographers and filmmakers in particular, the lure of Los Angeles can be strong. But it is more than simply a glamorous lifestyle that attracts them—it is the light. Hours and hours of reliable daylight and fine weather have traditionally attracted filmmakers, photographers, and other artists to the area who want a smooth and simple shoot with a high level of visibility. In the early days of Hollywood, filmmaking experienced its own form of the Gold Rush, when filmmaking prospectors traveled across the nation in the hope of striking gold with their very own movie masterpiece. In terms of technology, daylight was a very valuable commodity.

But the technology—like the weather—is changeable. Conditions that would have previously delayed a shoot for days or weeks can now be significantly altered in post-production. This is expected to save creative industries thousands of hours, and thousands of dollars. Whatever the weather, barring a genuine hurricane or severe storm, the desired effect can usually be attained onscreen.

Budgets and Technology

Each advancement in technology often has a two-fold effect. It reduces costs in some areas while increasing them in others. In the case of filmmaking or photography, the advent of editing tools that change the weather is expected to reduce costs during shoots that depend on traveling to areas with reliable weather, or costs incurred through rescheduling due to bad weather. However, the cost of powerful editing technology and hiring an expert familiar with it can incur its own high costs. The advances in accessible editing tools even in apps and online, however, possibly indicates that the technology will become more affordable soon.

The Desired Effect

Through editing software, it is possible to add rain, snow, storms and more to a shoot that might have taken place in completely different conditions. Adding effects with CGI or simply alterations to the exposure and saturation of the shoot can significantly change the overall effect. A film production taking place in Britain recently had reportedly wanted rain for their film, for example, but were left in the unusual situation of complaining when the weather was fine. They were able to add the rain and gloom that they desired with editing technology in post-production, however. Similarly, a fashion shoot designed for the high heat and arid conditions of the desert were left disappointed when they experienced unseasonably cold weather, but could add the brightness and tones they desired after the shoot had taken place.

We are arguably more conscious than ever before of the ways in which images and productions are altered in post-production. There is an ongoing debate as to whether this means greater artistic freedom or a disturbing manipulation of the truth.

The ongoing improvements in editing technology can now mean a successful and visually striking artistic venture—come rain or shine.