The impact of digital technology on film production and the concept of cinema: a case study of the Terminator trilogy spanning 1984-2003

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using the Terminator trilogy as a case study (spanning the period 1984 to 2004), this thesis will analyse the impact of digital technologies on live-action film production. The focus will be on the changing production techniques in the three films and the progressive implementation of increasingly powerful digital effects. This paper will endeavour to show that, as a consequence of these changes, the concept of cinema should be reconsidered. Cinema in this new digital form should be redefined as: “a particular case of animation that uses live action footage as one of its many elements” (Manovich).