Digital moviemaking may be causing a revolution in how actors act in movie productions. The use of film is giving way to digital memory, which means when the camera is “running,” there’s no expensive filmstock churning by, second after second. Errors cost time for the crew, but the most expensive consumable — film, and its development — stops being an issue, and waiting for camera reloads is a thing of the past. Essentially, rather than a “take” you have an “experience.”
“My conversion to the church of digital is due to the nontechnical side of digital,” says Bill, who used the Panavision Genesis to shoot “Flyboys.” “I think the way digital changes and can permanently change the way actors act and directors direct is absolutely irreplaceable.
“For 100 years of acting on film, actors have had to cope with several technical limitations. First of all, they had to rehearse the scene before they shoot it. Then, once shooting begins, they have to act between reloads.
“Third, they have to act when the camera is running, not when it’s not running. They’re always aware there’s film running through the camera, which is a tremendous burden for an actor, whether they know it or not.
“Digital removes those constraints. There’s no such thing as rehearsal. You can shoot anything you want. You don’t have to say ‘cut.’ You don’t have to say ‘action.’
“This is going to change the way films are made, the way directors relate to actors, and the way actors relate to the camera. I think this will change acting as much as the Method changed acting.”
(via kottke)