From these past lectures, the topic that has stood out to me the most was the topic of Cinerama. Back then, it was a way of being able to see a moving panoramic picture. Fred Waller, wanted to create a more immersive way of viewing movies, something that would fill up even the peripherals of ones eyesight. Cinerama is what influenced things like IMAX and curved screen televisions that we have now. These all have the same goal of creating a more immersive experience for the viewer. I never would have realized that the curved screen was an idea already done from long ago.
I find this interesting as well. When we think of IMAX/ the dome theater, it is hard to believe that something that is so technologically advanced can be an imitation of something from over 50 years ago.
I also think that the science behind Cinerama was very innovative for the time. By using the focal point of the human and a bit of optics math they could develop a film screen to give the person watching it the illusion that they were really there.
One thing I find surprising about this is that not all movie theaters produce film this way. Maybe it's a matter of cost, but one would think that viewers of a movie would want the best possible experience, and it seems that the technology for this has been out there for century.
I agree that this was something I had never thought of before! To me curved screens seemed like a really recent innovation of the past couple decades. It really stood out to me in lecture how technology like from Cinerama was the original panoramic picture and that's actually what influenced the curved screens we see today.
I completely agree with you, it’s one of my favorite topics that we have had in class. It’s amazing how much influence one person’s creativity could bring like IMAX and curved screen televisions that we have now. It’s an awesome idea that has been started a long time ago.
Last week in class, we learned about Cinerama and the impact it had on the film industry. We also learned about why people were so interested in CInerama. Cinerama enhanced the experience of immersion. This made me think of YouTube's 360 degree feature. The 360 degree feature is a fairly new addition to YouTube where viewers can turn their phone around to make it feel like they are in the middle of the scene and looking at different pieces of the scene.Though YouTube's feature does not surround the viewer with the audio and visual effects, it still somewhat gives the user an experience that imitates turning your head and looking around. I found both Cinerama and YouTube 360 degree feature a little annoying because of when the video does not line up on all three screens (in Cinerama) or in the 360 degree video when what you are looking at does not match what you hear.
I have seen the youtube 360 feature as well, and it is pretty similar to cinerama, because they are both trying to fully engage the viewer with what they are trying to present them. With youtube 360 however, when you try watching it with just your phone, its a hassle to trying to move it around and look everywhere. A while ago I bought something called Google Cardboard, which is basically this box with magnifying glasses where you put your phone in and look through the magnifying glass. This really makes it feel like your in whatever video it is that your watching. I think that was the goal for Cinerama as well, and the creators would be happy to see how far this idea has come.
I found this topic to be very cool also considering it was so advanced for its time! And I checked out the youtube 360 and was not SUPER impressed, but still found it pretty cool. I mean we are spoiled by todays technology when it comes to the entertainment industry and what they do to ensure an amazing experience for the audience, but honestly cinerama was way ahead of its time when it came out. People had never seen anything like it before and the amount of energy it took to keep one of these films running was very precise and tedious.
I think that's an interesting connection, and I especially agree about the frustration of images or sound not lining up in these mediums. It makes me wonder what technological advances are yet to be made that will make a more smooth transition between elements on the screen and make an on screen experience more life like for people.
I never even thought of the connection between YouTube's 360 degree feature and the Cinerama screens until reading this post. I first stumbled upon the 360 feature when I was watching one of Kurt Hugo Schneider's videos on YouTube and was amazed by this advancement in video viewing. I guess I am easily impressed, but I thought this feature was pretty innovative, regardless of the fact that you had to move the phone around or swipe across the screen in order to get the 360 experience. Now with the connection between this feature and Cinerama, the 360 feature is put into perspective. Cinerama really was way ahead of its time, even with the low quality of sound and imager, the idea of this viewing experience sprouted a seed that allowed for innovations, like YouTube's 360 view, to be created.
What I have found most interesting was lecture on drones we did in class. UAV's are still a fairly new weapon of war, but when firing upon an enemy this birds eye view is not telling the whole story. Sure you can see the heat signatures of the individuals we are looking to eliminate, but what if that human shaped figure that appears in the camera isn't an enemy, but simply a civilian. Or a child? Drones have been very effective in helping give us the edge on war and surveillance. This system is not perfected though. Pilots of these unmanned aircraft are starting to speculate whether or not it is worth it. For example in a situation where there is an uncertainty towards what they just fired upon, it can be mentally devastating on our soldiers. They did not sign up to kill innocent women and children. No, they signed up to fight the evils of this world. Yet when they see a small heat signature show up on the camera feed as soon as they pull the trigger, they cannot help but feel responsible for the death of that innocent being. It is a tough situation because yes the drones are very crucial to have if we wish to have the upper hand, but also we cannot continue to have civilian casualties. Very tough situation
I totally agree that this is a very tough situation. I find it inhumane for pilots to just follow orders, especially when children and innocent civilians come into play. I think it is also scary that these drone pilots have this option. In that interview we watched in class that man was appalled that he had to do what he did and it took a toll on him. I think having an upper hand is very important to have, but I think the use of drones will dramatically increase and the public will fear for their privacy.
I totally agree Colten. Drones are a very controversial topic and I think we should continue to question and research the ethic that goes behind the usage of drones in warfare. I struggle between desire to be safe and maintaining a strong moral compass.
In the Remote Sensing lecture we talked about the race to space and the ability to produce large amounts of earth using remote sensing satellite systems. The best example of everything, professor Kaplan said, is google earth. Corona was the first United States secret reconnaissance satellite system which lead to much more. This system led to the Global Positioning System, also known as GPS. As I was listening to the professor, the only this I was thinking about this whole lecture was how thankful I am for google maps. I can certainly say that without this app I would not have made it here today. Every new place I go, I look up directions. Today, I drove to Los Angeles, and without the help of my google maps, I would be incapable of finding my exact location. This all of its fascinating qualities that are still advancing today, I wonder how much more difficult it was for people to get around without this highly advantageous tool.
I agree with you on the use of remote sensing to produce technology like Google Earth. Even if you were to have a map and a navigational tool like a compass, it would still be very difficult to figure out your precise location. Although there are still bugs that occur within GPS devices and Google Earth, it's still cool to see how far aerial views have come to being able to track down where you are in relation to the world.
Listening the UAV lecture I couldn't help but have some mixed emotions about the pilots reactions to dropping bombs on the enemy. As someone who was in the military I understand that civilian casualties are an unfortunate circumstance of war; however, when it comes to a combat situation the last thing that is our minds is not the cause that we are fighting for or preserving freedom back home. We fight our buddies to the left and the right of us and insure that we all make it home alive. I feel pilots on the actual battlefield feel the same way we do. I'm not certain, but I don't like drone pilots have the same pressure was boots on the ground have. Again civilian casualties are a extremely unfortunate circumstance. If the drone pilots were to hold off on eliminating an enemy target because of civilian every time, then those enemies could kill troops on the ground when they could have been saved.
When we watched clips from the Cinerama film in class, I was immediately reminded of this one ride in Disneyland that takes you on a tour of California on suspended seats. I found it to be pretty much the same concept as Cinerama. There is a big focus on aerial images and using them to create a feeling of movement and great sensation, showing the imagery of California as sublime and grand. I think the feeling evoked by this ride is in a way a modern version of how people felt leaving a showing of Cinerama. I find it interesting, also, that people find so many of the same things entertaining over time.
I agree that it's interesting that people today, have this obsession and fascination with aerial imaging. I have been on California Soarin', the ride at Disneyland that uses aerial imaging of California and suspended seats. On the ride, I felt a sense of thrill, and excitement, similar to the feelings discussed in class towards flying and aerial imaging. During the lecture I also made a similar connection with other amusement park rides, and the Futurama exhibit at the World's Fair.
I agree with this. In addition to showing aerial imaging of California within that Disneyland ride, there are also other countries on display to soar through. All with an aerial viewpoint just like the one in the Cinerama film. This shows how aerial imagery doesn't just know how to show American imagery but imagery of other parts of the globe as well.
I also agree that certain aspects of amusement parks like Disneyland have stemmed from the older exhibits at the World's Fair. I know Disney has a way of bringing different cultures and parts of the world together with its parks. For instance, when I was younger and I went to the Epcot Park in Disneyworld, I remember visiting the World Showcase Lagoon. It had a lake surrounded by 11-12 countries, where every country had its own landmarks, attractions, and dining cuisines. It was a great way for tourists to get a sense of what living in that part of the world may be like within an American context. This strongly reminded me of what the old Futurama exhibits did with hosting different countries within its fair.
In Tuesday's lecture, we talked about remote sensing and the impact it has had on the development of Strategic Defense Initiative and the Global Positioning System. I thought it was very interesting that the Global Positioning System was first used in the First Persian Gulf War, by triangulating satellites. Today GPS still has such a powerful impact on people's lives, as they rely on the system to get from point A to point B. For me, without GPS, I would be lost while driving. Now GPS isn't simply navigation devices, but also used for tracking. It is amazing to see how far we have come from simple aerial imaging to the GPS, and it is exciting to discover what will come next with the technological advancements in the future.
The lecture on Earth view had a really humbling effect by showing how each of us are part of the same world, despite all of the chaos that occurs. It's really beautiful and inspiring to see how, whenever someone goes into space, one of the first things that they do is look out at the earth.They forget about their mission for a moment and look out at the world below. I remember having a similar feeling whenever I watched the intro to BBC's Planet Earth, where they would show the sun shining down on the Earth as seen from space. Both this intro and the images of earth from lecture reveal how we all share the same home, and that what we have in common is that we identify ourselves as inhabitants of earth. We don't see any national borders separating groups of people from another, but rather we only see one world belonging to everyone.
I agree. Sometimes we get so caught up with our busy lives on Earth that we forget how minuscule our problems are in relation to the galaxy or even our specific planet's well being. I loved hearing about how the astronauts were taken back but such a profound and humbling sight.
The use of remote sensing technology like Google Earth and GPS had me thinking of how far technological advancements have come since that period of time where people just used their physical or mental maps to get to places. I remember looking at Google Earth when I first got it on my old computer in 5th grade. I let my curiosity of Earth get the best of me and spent hours just typing in random cities, clicking on far away places, or even just looking for my own house. What really astounded me as a child was the zooming out from my house until I could see the whole globe. I remember thinking how I would probably never be able to see or understand how big the world was without seeing this complete 3D image with every detail mapped onto there. These advancements not only show how big the world is, but remind us of how small we are in comparison to the rest of what's around us.
Shailee, I completely agree with you. I used to go on Google Earth when I was a fifth grader as well. I used to do it when I had free time in computer lab. Like you, I was amazed by all the things I could see, and I never imagined that those technologies would become so common today. Who knew that remote sensing technology would bring such advancements in practical life?
From the readings by Nasser Hussain and Roger Stahl assigned last Thursday, the use of drones has been put into a more realistic perspective for me. Before reading these two passages, I knew little about the use of drones in the military sector. My only encounter with drones was when my little brother told me about how he and his friend used a drone to take aerial pictures of their cars for their photography class. With this in mind, I thought drones were innocent innovations that had become the new “fad” in technology. As said in lecture, drones could be bought at any big-name drugstore, so I had generalized all drones as harmless. My misconceptions were quickly debunked after reading Hussain’s and Stahl’s writings. Drones have become little gadgets with the capability of big destruction. Living in America, I am shielded from the terror of war in other countries. Drones, which I thought were “innocent”, haunt the lives of people living in these war sites. I am glad Professor Kaplan has brought to light both sides of using drones as military weaponry. The fact that drones can invade privacy and domesticate remote wars has opened my eyes to the bigger, ethical conflict with drone use.
I felt the exact same way as you. I never really thought about what drones do in the military. After reading and watching the videos during lecture, I was really surprised to learn about how dangerous they are. I definitely think that people who do not have wars going on in their countries should know and understand what militaries are using as weapons in war zones and how it affects innocent civilians.
This past Saturday evening, I went up to the top of the parking garage to watch the sunset with a few friends. While up there, I noticed the dull buzzing of something fly above me. There was a man flying a personal drone on top of the parking structure, maybe getting some video footage from a birds eye view. I couldn't help but think of the recordings of the son from the family from Pakistan describing the sound of the drones flying overhead at all times. This of course, was no comparison, but by putting myself in the shoes of this family, I felt as though I could imagine what it would be like to live in fear. I do not support the use of drones in military warfare, and this past lecture emphasized that for me.
I have to agree that it's definitely an eye-opener when you notice a drone flying near by, regardless of your nationality. Yet, the consequences of that drone in different countries means different things, and thus could be linked to modern forms of imperialism in which control is asserted through observation. Here, I'd urge further reading from Foucault and Sartre regarding the panopticon, the other, and control/power dynamics. Additionally, it's interesting to think about people all over the world being watched, but then considering who is watching and who is being watched and what that means in terms of the real world, i.e. human lives, ecological impact etc. Remote image sensing allows us to distance ourselves from our enemies and the things we observe, which echoes back to the film preview we watched in class in which officials could launch a strike against terrorists, but faced a more dilemma of the collateral damage being a child. At first, aerial photography allowed us to distance ourselves from, for example, killing children, but as it becomes more advanced, we find ourselves seeing more clearly and having to reconsider these moral questions.
Recently, I watched a video of the prolog of the film “Dogville.” In this prolog, everything is shown from the perspective of a drone, much like we have been discussing in class. The video opens with an aerial shot and no sound. Eventually, the camera gets closer to the actors and sound is introduced. This is a representation of how feelings are more likely to be absent when you are far away from someone and you cannot hear what they are doing. As soon as the video introduced the voices of the actors, I began to feel like the people were actual people and not just objects. This shows, like we learned in lecture, that the possibility of returning gaze or interacting, makes humans more real and it makes it easier for us to identify with them.
I had never really given much thought to the use of drones in war or just in everyday life. It's interesting to think how barely more than a century ago seeing the world from above was a new idea. Compared to today, when technology is so advanced that soldiers can fly a drone that is thousands of miles away, and furthermore be able to see any part of the world from above with live camera feed. Watching the video on the use of drones in the military on Thursday's lecture gave me a whole different perspective on their use. Previously I had never thought about it that much, but I'm thankful that the Professor showed the victims' side of drones. The targets of drone land attacks are completely helpless; there is nothing they can do to combat a drone. Although from a military point of view this could seem a great advantage, it is important to consider the victims as well especially if they are civilians. Overall I liked how this class explored different images of the world in historical chronological order, because it gave me a very detailed and clear picture of how views of our planet have evolved throughout history, all the way up to today.
Big-screen or widescreen process Cinerama debuted in 1952, a break-through technique that required three cameras, three projectors, interlocking, semi-curved at 146 degrees screens, and four-track stereo sound. It made audiences feel that they were at the center of the action. It was also at first a formal outing, people would wear nice attire, there will be printed programs given out, and there was reserved seating. It was presented to the public as a theatrical event. The first film using the three-strip Cinerama process was This is Cinerama in 1952, a travelogue of the world's vacation spots, with a thrilling roller-coaster ride. It’s really interesting to see how much progress and how much film going has revived.
I was very interested in this topic because of how it changed the way people went to the movies. I agree that it's interesting how much it's changed, as the first invention provided true blueprints to what is currently in theaters today. In Sacramento, there is a IMAX theater that has a very large curved theater. It's similar to the one shown in one clip in lecture where they combined three screens together. However, now that technology has upgraded a huge amount, the quality was 100x better than how it was before.
I remember seeing a 3d movie as a kid in Disneyland. I think it was Bug's Life, we had 3d glasses, and they would spray water at you when somebody got wet in the movie and such. I remember thinking it was pretty amazing. I can't help but wonder what technology like the Oculus Rift could mean for companies like IMAX. It would really be something to watch a movie like Hardcore Henry (a first person action movie) with virtual reality glasses. I bet we would react the way audiences reacted to Cinerama. We might throw up more...
In the last lecture we talked about drones and how they are used for military purposes. I thought it was really interesting because I know that drones are now being used for photography and videography. Small drones are sold that carry a camera in them, which lets everyday people get really amazing shots of the landscape around them. This shows the connection that the military has on influencing other areas with their technology, just like how they influenced Cinerama. It also shows how important aerial views are to people because anyone can buy one of these small drones with a camera and use them to take photos and videos from high in the air without much difficulty. Aerial videos and photos are widely used and are very popular, and drone technology is helping to make it easier for people to create images from high above the ground.
I also think it's interesting how much technology we get from the military. It seems as though the military is usually the testing ground for technology, and then after it gets use in the military it makes its way to the public. Another example is the Internet, which was first used in the military. It's also really interesting how a lot of the technology we use today can be used militarily.
That's true. Technology developed by the military to be later used by the public is something I never really thought about myself. It's also strange how drones used by the public is different from the ones used by the military. I don't mean the weapons part, but the shape of them. The drones I've seen all look like weird stars with propellers. The military drones are huge and look like thin planes. One is used to takes photos like you said, but the other is destructive and it just makes you think about how everything that is ever invented, no matter how good a cause it might have been created for, will always be pushed to become a weapon of mass destruction.
Last lecture we discussed drones and the extent to which they are being used in the world today. I actually have experience using a drone firsthand, because my friend is really interested in them. I have seen firsthand the power of drones. I wasn't able to fire a weapon of course, but I have seen how far high they can go and how they can at times be undetectable. My friend's drone has a feature where it can literally follow people, and during class when we watched videos about people who live in constant fear of drones, it made me think about how to me, drones are cool devices that are fun to play around with, but to people in the Middle East, drones are nightmarish devices that can cause harm. It really made me think about how different you can view technology depending on where you live and who's controlling the devices. I also found it amazing that technology has advanced so much, that I can sit around and use a drone that in past years would have been only used for military purposes. When using a drone with my friend, I was so impressed with how far it could go and how undetectable it was. If I didn't have the luxury of living in a country with a great military and defense program, I might have perceived drones in a more fearful manner.
During the lecture about remote sensing, I was extra interested in that since it related to my major, Electrical Engineering. I didn’t think that many countries were owned satellites and was such a race to get their own into space. This reminded me about a course I took my freshmen year (2 years ago) when my professor talked about how satellites work. While I was reading, I kept thinking of how much remote sensing has changed from when it was first invented. Another reason I was interested in this was because of the research I’ve been doing on internships. One in particular, a chip designing company, just created specialized chips for their satellites. These had to be designed a certain way since in space the atmosphere is completely different.
Our recent discussions of aerial photography and remote sensing using drones has led me to do a lot of thinking around our country's habit of self-observation as a form of control. In explanation, the NSA and other government security agencies spend a considerable amount of time and money watching it's own citizens, each other, it's employees, etc., which is understandable when one considers that no entity is immune to friendly fire or internal threats. However, what is interesting is that, in all the government's prying and spying, they've never once caught a terrorist through monitoring our cell phones and internet usage. Yet, every keystroke, every text, every phone call, is run through voice analysis and flagged using keywords and drones fly overhead monitoring traffic speeds and photographing any number of areas for any number of reasons. Most of this occurred to me when passing a freeway sign that read "SPEED MONITORED BY AIRCRAFT" and I just so happened to be speeding. So much of our energies are devoted to watching ourselves yet what are we learning? That also fosters the question of what would we miss if we looked away?
I was taken back by a lot of things we learned in class over the past couple weeks. To start, when learning about Cinerama I immediately thought about my great grandfather who was a camera man for movies with Katherine Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, and Dick VanDyke in the early to mid 1900’s. It’s incredible to see how far we have come as an industry trying to better the recreational viewing experience in anyway possible. Though he wasn’t involved with Cinerama, the exciting development of a wide, three screened, viewing experience that transported you into the scenery through birds eye view and intriguing camera angles, he was an old videographer who was able to convey an experience to his audience. In addition, with mention of UAV’s I started to look internally at my moral compass. The concept of drones is a lot more complex than I had ever imaged and comes with very controversial aspects. I hope one day we can live in a world where everyone can feel safe and not threatened by the dangerous humming sound of a possible bombing overhead.
I definitely agree. Drones are still a new technology and need to be properly administered and regulated. While drones are an amazing technology and are great for our and our military's safety, the act of killing becomes increasingly more disconnected to the point where someone can push a button from the US and an entire house in a foreign country can be blown up (as we discussed in class).
One of the most fascinating things discussed in lecture was Earthrise, the photograph taken by astronauts in the 1960's. Seeing the Earth stand out against the pitch-black background of space and the rocky foreground of the moon, the meaning behind the sublime seemed to be more evident. There is so much awe in just that small view of the Earth that it's hard to imagine what it must be like to actually be standing on the moon and experiencing a kind of insignificance towards your person and a longing to understand what it is that makes Earth so alluring to not just the mind, but the soul. If a view of the great natures on earth may leave people speeches, just what would it do to people standing alone thousands of miles from home? Earthrise reminded me of each photograph of earth I had seen in my childhood. I never gave it much thought since each one looked the same and I never grasped why so many people insisted on telling us that it was the greatest view in the world. I can understand it a little bit more now, if I put myself in the shoes of the people back in the 60's seeing this image for the first time. Being a cinema major, view is an important aspect of the audience's experience. It's not really about how aesthetically appealing it is, but about what kind of feeling it sparks in people. The same may be said about photography. This also brings to mind the various films in space we've seen in the past few years. One in particular that comes to mind is Gravity. There is a scene in this film where the main character catches sight of the Earth for the first time. She becomes speechless and stares at all the blue, green, and white from inside her spaceship. This reminds me that although people all over the world know what the Earth looks like from space, we may never truly know the feeling of actually seeing Earth standing outside of it. I believe those two feelings are different and only a fortunate few will ever get to meet that experience.
I think this last portion of the class has been the most interesting to me personally. Not that the rest of the class wasn’t interesting, it’s just as an electrical engineering student i am fascinated to hear the history of these major breakthroughs in electronics. GPS is so important to this day, i rely on it completely when i navigate. When people ask me “which route did you take here” i honestly can’t remember the names of the streets i just say “i just went the way google maps told me to go”. It’s fun to know more about the history of the technology i am learning about in my other classes. Reading "What the Drone Saw: the Cultural Optics of the Unmanned War" i was intrigued to learn about how important drones are now (and that’s just what they’re telling us!). Drones seem to be getting more popular, like every other cover of popular science or popular mechanics seems to feature a drone. I think there is even a Davis drone club. I can’t wait for a drone that can carry a human, we could be surfing on hoverboard drones one day. I really want a hoverboard lol.
As a CS major, I really enjoyed the last few weeks of lecture regarding Cinerama and usage of drones. Both of these technologies are ground-breaking for their time and provide a new perspective for viewers.
I'm particularly fascinated by the use of drones and it's evolution of use. Similar to ballooning and flight, drones were first introduced for the military to easily and safely view enemy bases and territories. Drones, however, are different than ballooning and flight because it is unmanned, meaning the pilot is controlling the drone from a safe distance. Roughly a decade later, drones are becoming more common-place for normal individuals and available to purchase at your nearest electronics store. Soon, drones will be carrying cargo and items such as planes and balloons did before. I look forward to the future of drone use.
From these past lectures, the topic that has stood out to me the most was the topic of Cinerama. Back then, it was a way of being able to see a moving panoramic picture. Fred Waller, wanted to create a more immersive way of viewing movies, something that would fill up even the peripherals of ones eyesight. Cinerama is what influenced things like IMAX and curved screen televisions that we have now. These all have the same goal of creating a more immersive experience for the viewer. I never would have realized that the curved screen was an idea already done from long ago.
ReplyDeleteI find this interesting as well. When we think of IMAX/ the dome theater, it is hard to believe that something that is so technologically advanced can be an imitation of something from over 50 years ago.
DeleteI also think that the science behind Cinerama was very innovative for the time. By using the focal point of the human and a bit of optics math they could develop a film screen to give the person watching it the illusion that they were really there.
DeleteOne thing I find surprising about this is that not all movie theaters produce film this way. Maybe it's a matter of cost, but one would think that viewers of a movie would want the best possible experience, and it seems that the technology for this has been out there for century.
DeleteI agree that this was something I had never thought of before! To me curved screens seemed like a really recent innovation of the past couple decades. It really stood out to me in lecture how technology like from Cinerama was the original panoramic picture and that's actually what influenced the curved screens we see today.
DeleteI completely agree with you, it’s one of my favorite topics that we have had in class. It’s amazing how much influence one person’s creativity could bring like IMAX and curved screen televisions that we have now. It’s an awesome idea that has been started a long time ago.
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ReplyDeleteLast week in class, we learned about Cinerama and the impact it had on the film industry. We also learned about why people were so interested in CInerama. Cinerama enhanced the experience of immersion. This made me think of YouTube's 360 degree feature. The 360 degree feature is a fairly new addition to YouTube where viewers can turn their phone around to make it feel like they are in the middle of the scene and looking at different pieces of the scene.Though YouTube's feature does not surround the viewer with the audio and visual effects, it still somewhat gives the user an experience that imitates turning your head and looking around. I found both Cinerama and YouTube 360 degree feature a little annoying because of when the video does not line up on all three screens (in Cinerama) or in the 360 degree video when what you are looking at does not match what you hear.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the youtube 360 feature as well, and it is pretty similar to cinerama, because they are both trying to fully engage the viewer with what they are trying to present them. With youtube 360 however, when you try watching it with just your phone, its a hassle to trying to move it around and look everywhere. A while ago I bought something called Google Cardboard, which is basically this box with magnifying glasses where you put your phone in and look through the magnifying glass. This really makes it feel like your in whatever video it is that your watching. I think that was the goal for Cinerama as well, and the creators would be happy to see how far this idea has come.
DeleteI found this topic to be very cool also considering it was so advanced for its time! And I checked out the youtube 360 and was not SUPER impressed, but still found it pretty cool. I mean we are spoiled by todays technology when it comes to the entertainment industry and what they do to ensure an amazing experience for the audience, but honestly cinerama was way ahead of its time when it came out. People had never seen anything like it before and the amount of energy it took to keep one of these films running was very precise and tedious.
DeleteI think that's an interesting connection, and I especially agree about the frustration of images or sound not lining up in these mediums. It makes me wonder what technological advances are yet to be made that will make a more smooth transition between elements on the screen and make an on screen experience more life like for people.
DeleteI never even thought of the connection between YouTube's 360 degree feature and the Cinerama screens until reading this post. I first stumbled upon the 360 feature when I was watching one of Kurt Hugo Schneider's videos on YouTube and was amazed by this advancement in video viewing. I guess I am easily impressed, but I thought this feature was pretty innovative, regardless of the fact that you had to move the phone around or swipe across the screen in order to get the 360 experience. Now with the connection between this feature and Cinerama, the 360 feature is put into perspective. Cinerama really was way ahead of its time, even with the low quality of sound and imager, the idea of this viewing experience sprouted a seed that allowed for innovations, like YouTube's 360 view, to be created.
DeleteWhat I have found most interesting was lecture on drones we did in class. UAV's are still a fairly new weapon of war, but when firing upon an enemy this birds eye view is not telling the whole story. Sure you can see the heat signatures of the individuals we are looking to eliminate, but what if that human shaped figure that appears in the camera isn't an enemy, but simply a civilian. Or a child? Drones have been very effective in helping give us the edge on war and surveillance. This system is not perfected though. Pilots of these unmanned aircraft are starting to speculate whether or not it is worth it. For example in a situation where there is an uncertainty towards what they just fired upon, it can be mentally devastating on our soldiers. They did not sign up to kill innocent women and children. No, they signed up to fight the evils of this world. Yet when they see a small heat signature show up on the camera feed as soon as they pull the trigger, they cannot help but feel responsible for the death of that innocent being. It is a tough situation because yes the drones are very crucial to have if we wish to have the upper hand, but also we cannot continue to have civilian casualties. Very tough situation
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that this is a very tough situation. I find it inhumane for pilots to just follow orders, especially when children and innocent civilians come into play. I think it is also scary that these drone pilots have this option. In that interview we watched in class that man was appalled that he had to do what he did and it took a toll on him. I think having an upper hand is very important to have, but I think the use of drones will dramatically increase and the public will fear for their privacy.
DeleteI totally agree Colten. Drones are a very controversial topic and I think we should continue to question and research the ethic that goes behind the usage of drones in warfare. I struggle between desire to be safe and maintaining a strong moral compass.
DeleteIn the Remote Sensing lecture we talked about the race to space and the ability to produce large amounts of earth using remote sensing satellite systems. The best example of everything, professor Kaplan said, is google earth. Corona was the first United States secret reconnaissance satellite system which lead to much more. This system led to the Global Positioning System, also known as GPS. As I was listening to the professor, the only this I was thinking about this whole lecture was how thankful I am for google maps. I can certainly say that without this app I would not have made it here today. Every new place I go, I look up directions. Today, I drove to Los Angeles, and without the help of my google maps, I would be incapable of finding my exact location. This all of its fascinating qualities that are still advancing today, I wonder how much more difficult it was for people to get around without this highly advantageous tool.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the use of remote sensing to produce technology like Google Earth. Even if you were to have a map and a navigational tool like a compass, it would still be very difficult to figure out your precise location. Although there are still bugs that occur within GPS devices and Google Earth, it's still cool to see how far aerial views have come to being able to track down where you are in relation to the world.
DeleteListening the UAV lecture I couldn't help but have some mixed emotions about the pilots reactions to dropping bombs on the enemy. As someone who was in the military I understand that civilian casualties are an unfortunate circumstance of war; however, when it comes to a combat situation the last thing that is our minds is not the cause that we are fighting for or preserving freedom back home. We fight our buddies to the left and the right of us and insure that we all make it home alive. I feel pilots on the actual battlefield feel the same way we do. I'm not certain, but I don't like drone pilots have the same pressure was boots on the ground have. Again civilian casualties are a extremely unfortunate circumstance. If the drone pilots were to hold off on eliminating an enemy target because of civilian every time, then those enemies could kill troops on the ground when they could have been saved.
ReplyDeleteWhen we watched clips from the Cinerama film in class, I was immediately reminded of this one ride in Disneyland that takes you on a tour of California on suspended seats. I found it to be pretty much the same concept as Cinerama. There is a big focus on aerial images and using them to create a feeling of movement and great sensation, showing the imagery of California as sublime and grand. I think the feeling evoked by this ride is in a way a modern version of how people felt leaving a showing of Cinerama. I find it interesting, also, that people find so many of the same things entertaining over time.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's interesting that people today, have this obsession and fascination with aerial imaging. I have been on California Soarin', the ride at Disneyland that uses aerial imaging of California and suspended seats. On the ride, I felt a sense of thrill, and excitement, similar to the feelings discussed in class towards flying and aerial imaging. During the lecture I also made a similar connection with other amusement park rides, and the Futurama exhibit at the World's Fair.
DeleteI agree with this. In addition to showing aerial imaging of California within that Disneyland ride, there are also other countries on display to soar through. All with an aerial viewpoint just like the one in the Cinerama film. This shows how aerial imagery doesn't just know how to show American imagery but imagery of other parts of the globe as well.
DeleteI also agree that certain aspects of amusement parks like Disneyland have stemmed from the older exhibits at the World's Fair. I know Disney has a way of bringing different cultures and parts of the world together with its parks. For instance, when I was younger and I went to the Epcot Park in Disneyworld, I remember visiting the World Showcase Lagoon. It had a lake surrounded by 11-12 countries, where every country had its own landmarks, attractions, and dining cuisines. It was a great way for tourists to get a sense of what living in that part of the world may be like within an American context. This strongly reminded me of what the old Futurama exhibits did with hosting different countries within its fair.
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ReplyDeleteIn Tuesday's lecture, we talked about remote sensing and the impact it has had on the development of Strategic Defense Initiative and the Global Positioning System. I thought it was very interesting that the Global Positioning System was first used in the First Persian Gulf War, by triangulating satellites. Today GPS still has such a powerful impact on people's lives, as they rely on the system to get from point A to point B. For me, without GPS, I would be lost while driving. Now GPS isn't simply navigation devices, but also used for tracking. It is amazing to see how far we have come from simple aerial imaging to the GPS, and it is exciting to discover what will come next with the technological advancements in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe lecture on Earth view had a really humbling effect by showing how each of us are part of the same world, despite all of the chaos that occurs. It's really beautiful and inspiring to see how, whenever someone goes into space, one of the first things that they do is look out at the earth.They forget about their mission for a moment and look out at the world below. I remember having a similar feeling whenever I watched the intro to BBC's Planet Earth, where they would show the sun shining down on the Earth as seen from space. Both this intro and the images of earth from lecture reveal how we all share the same home, and that what we have in common is that we identify ourselves as inhabitants of earth. We don't see any national borders separating groups of people from another, but rather we only see one world belonging to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Sometimes we get so caught up with our busy lives on Earth that we forget how minuscule our problems are in relation to the galaxy or even our specific planet's well being. I loved hearing about how the astronauts were taken back but such a profound and humbling sight.
DeleteThe use of remote sensing technology like Google Earth and GPS had me thinking of how far technological advancements have come since that period of time where people just used their physical or mental maps to get to places. I remember looking at Google Earth when I first got it on my old computer in 5th grade. I let my curiosity of Earth get the best of me and spent hours just typing in random cities, clicking on far away places, or even just looking for my own house. What really astounded me as a child was the zooming out from my house until I could see the whole globe. I remember thinking how I would probably never be able to see or understand how big the world was without seeing this complete 3D image with every detail mapped onto there. These advancements not only show how big the world is, but remind us of how small we are in comparison to the rest of what's around us.
ReplyDeleteShailee, I completely agree with you. I used to go on Google Earth when I was a fifth grader as well. I used to do it when I had free time in computer lab. Like you, I was amazed by all the things I could see, and I never imagined that those technologies would become so common today. Who knew that remote sensing technology would bring such advancements in practical life?
DeleteFrom the readings by Nasser Hussain and Roger Stahl assigned last Thursday, the use of drones has been put into a more realistic perspective for me. Before reading these two passages, I knew little about the use of drones in the military sector. My only encounter with drones was when my little brother told me about how he and his friend used a drone to take aerial pictures of their cars for their photography class. With this in mind, I thought drones were innocent innovations that had become the new “fad” in technology. As said in lecture, drones could be bought at any big-name drugstore, so I had generalized all drones as harmless. My misconceptions were quickly debunked after reading Hussain’s and Stahl’s writings. Drones have become little gadgets with the capability of big destruction. Living in America, I am shielded from the terror of war in other countries. Drones, which I thought were “innocent”, haunt the lives of people living in these war sites. I am glad Professor Kaplan has brought to light both sides of using drones as military weaponry. The fact that drones can invade privacy and domesticate remote wars has opened my eyes to the bigger, ethical conflict with drone use.
ReplyDeleteI felt the exact same way as you. I never really thought about what drones do in the military. After reading and watching the videos during lecture, I was really surprised to learn about how dangerous they are. I definitely think that people who do not have wars going on in their countries should know and understand what militaries are using as weapons in war zones and how it affects innocent civilians.
DeleteThis past Saturday evening, I went up to the top of the parking garage to watch the sunset with a few friends. While up there, I noticed the dull buzzing of something fly above me. There was a man flying a personal drone on top of the parking structure, maybe getting some video footage from a birds eye view. I couldn't help but think of the recordings of the son from the family from Pakistan describing the sound of the drones flying overhead at all times. This of course, was no comparison, but by putting myself in the shoes of this family, I felt as though I could imagine what it would be like to live in fear. I do not support the use of drones in military warfare, and this past lecture emphasized that for me.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that it's definitely an eye-opener when you notice a drone flying near by, regardless of your nationality. Yet, the consequences of that drone in different countries means different things, and thus could be linked to modern forms of imperialism in which control is asserted through observation. Here, I'd urge further reading from Foucault and Sartre regarding the panopticon, the other, and control/power dynamics. Additionally, it's interesting to think about people all over the world being watched, but then considering who is watching and who is being watched and what that means in terms of the real world, i.e. human lives, ecological impact etc. Remote image sensing allows us to distance ourselves from our enemies and the things we observe, which echoes back to the film preview we watched in class in which officials could launch a strike against terrorists, but faced a more dilemma of the collateral damage being a child. At first, aerial photography allowed us to distance ourselves from, for example, killing children, but as it becomes more advanced, we find ourselves seeing more clearly and having to reconsider these moral questions.
DeleteRecently, I watched a video of the prolog of the film “Dogville.” In this prolog, everything is shown from the perspective of a drone, much like we have been discussing in class. The video opens with an aerial shot and no sound. Eventually, the camera gets closer to the actors and sound is introduced. This is a representation of how feelings are more likely to be absent when you are far away from someone and you cannot hear what they are doing. As soon as the video introduced the voices of the actors, I began to feel like the people were actual people and not just objects. This shows, like we learned in lecture, that the possibility of returning gaze or interacting, makes humans more real and it makes it easier for us to identify with them.
ReplyDeleteI had never really given much thought to the use of drones in war or just in everyday life. It's interesting to think how barely more than a century ago seeing the world from above was a new idea. Compared to today, when technology is so advanced that soldiers can fly a drone that is thousands of miles away, and furthermore be able to see any part of the world from above with live camera feed. Watching the video on the use of drones in the military on Thursday's lecture gave me a whole different perspective on their use. Previously I had never thought about it that much, but I'm thankful that the Professor showed the victims' side of drones. The targets of drone land attacks are completely helpless; there is nothing they can do to combat a drone. Although from a military point of view this could seem a great advantage, it is important to consider the victims as well especially if they are civilians.
ReplyDeleteOverall I liked how this class explored different images of the world in historical chronological order, because it gave me a very detailed and clear picture of how views of our planet have evolved throughout history, all the way up to today.
Big-screen or widescreen process Cinerama debuted in 1952, a break-through technique that required three cameras, three projectors, interlocking, semi-curved at 146 degrees screens, and four-track stereo sound. It made audiences feel that they were at the center of the action. It was also at first a formal outing, people would wear nice attire, there will be printed programs given out, and there was reserved seating. It was presented to the public as a theatrical event. The first film using the three-strip Cinerama process was This is Cinerama in 1952, a travelogue of the world's vacation spots, with a thrilling roller-coaster ride. It’s really interesting to see how much progress and how much film going has revived.
ReplyDeleteI was very interested in this topic because of how it changed the way people went to the movies. I agree that it's interesting how much it's changed, as the first invention provided true blueprints to what is currently in theaters today. In Sacramento, there is a IMAX theater that has a very large curved theater. It's similar to the one shown in one clip in lecture where they combined three screens together. However, now that technology has upgraded a huge amount, the quality was 100x better than how it was before.
DeleteI remember seeing a 3d movie as a kid in Disneyland. I think it was Bug's Life, we had 3d glasses, and they would spray water at you when somebody got wet in the movie and such. I remember thinking it was pretty amazing. I can't help but wonder what technology like the Oculus Rift could mean for companies like IMAX. It would really be something to watch a movie like Hardcore Henry (a first person action movie) with virtual reality glasses. I bet we would react the way audiences reacted to Cinerama. We might throw up more...
DeleteIn the last lecture we talked about drones and how they are used for military purposes. I thought it was really interesting because I know that drones are now being used for photography and videography. Small drones are sold that carry a camera in them, which lets everyday people get really amazing shots of the landscape around them. This shows the connection that the military has on influencing other areas with their technology, just like how they influenced Cinerama. It also shows how important aerial views are to people because anyone can buy one of these small drones with a camera and use them to take photos and videos from high in the air without much difficulty. Aerial videos and photos are widely used and are very popular, and drone technology is helping to make it easier for people to create images from high above the ground.
ReplyDeleteI also think it's interesting how much technology we get from the military. It seems as though the military is usually the testing ground for technology, and then after it gets use in the military it makes its way to the public. Another example is the Internet, which was first used in the military. It's also really interesting how a lot of the technology we use today can be used militarily.
DeleteThat's true. Technology developed by the military to be later used by the public is something I never really thought about myself. It's also strange how drones used by the public is different from the ones used by the military. I don't mean the weapons part, but the shape of them. The drones I've seen all look like weird stars with propellers. The military drones are huge and look like thin planes. One is used to takes photos like you said, but the other is destructive and it just makes you think about how everything that is ever invented, no matter how good a cause it might have been created for, will always be pushed to become a weapon of mass destruction.
DeleteLast lecture we discussed drones and the extent to which they are being used in the world today. I actually have experience using a drone firsthand, because my friend is really interested in them. I have seen firsthand the power of drones. I wasn't able to fire a weapon of course, but I have seen how far high they can go and how they can at times be undetectable. My friend's drone has a feature where it can literally follow people, and during class when we watched videos about people who live in constant fear of drones, it made me think about how to me, drones are cool devices that are fun to play around with, but to people in the Middle East, drones are nightmarish devices that can cause harm. It really made me think about how different you can view technology depending on where you live and who's controlling the devices. I also found it amazing that technology has advanced so much, that I can sit around and use a drone that in past years would have been only used for military purposes. When using a drone with my friend, I was so impressed with how far it could go and how undetectable it was. If I didn't have the luxury of living in a country with a great military and defense program, I might have perceived drones in a more fearful manner.
ReplyDeleteDuring the lecture about remote sensing, I was extra interested in that since it related to my major, Electrical Engineering. I didn’t think that many countries were owned satellites and was such a race to get their own into space. This reminded me about a course I took my freshmen year (2 years ago) when my professor talked about how satellites work. While I was reading, I kept thinking of how much remote sensing has changed from when it was first invented. Another reason I was interested in this was because of the research I’ve been doing on internships. One in particular, a chip designing company, just created specialized chips for their satellites. These had to be designed a certain way since in space the atmosphere is completely different.
ReplyDeleteOur recent discussions of aerial photography and remote sensing using drones has led me to do a lot of thinking around our country's habit of self-observation as a form of control. In explanation, the NSA and other government security agencies spend a considerable amount of time and money watching it's own citizens, each other, it's employees, etc., which is understandable when one considers that no entity is immune to friendly fire or internal threats. However, what is interesting is that, in all the government's prying and spying, they've never once caught a terrorist through monitoring our cell phones and internet usage. Yet, every keystroke, every text, every phone call, is run through voice analysis and flagged using keywords and drones fly overhead monitoring traffic speeds and photographing any number of areas for any number of reasons. Most of this occurred to me when passing a freeway sign that read "SPEED MONITORED BY AIRCRAFT" and I just so happened to be speeding. So much of our energies are devoted to watching ourselves yet what are we learning? That also fosters the question of what would we miss if we looked away?
ReplyDeleteI was taken back by a lot of things we learned in class over the past couple weeks. To start, when learning about Cinerama I immediately thought about my great grandfather who was a camera man for movies with Katherine Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, and Dick VanDyke in the early to mid 1900’s. It’s incredible to see how far we have come as an industry trying to better the recreational viewing experience in anyway possible. Though he wasn’t involved with Cinerama, the exciting development of a wide, three screened, viewing experience that transported you into the scenery through birds eye view and intriguing camera angles, he was an old videographer who was able to convey an experience to his audience. In addition, with mention of UAV’s I started to look internally at my moral compass. The concept of drones is a lot more complex than I had ever imaged and comes with very controversial aspects. I hope one day we can live in a world where everyone can feel safe and not threatened by the dangerous humming sound of a possible bombing overhead.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree. Drones are still a new technology and need to be properly administered and regulated. While drones are an amazing technology and are great for our and our military's safety, the act of killing becomes increasingly more disconnected to the point where someone can push a button from the US and an entire house in a foreign country can be blown up (as we discussed in class).
DeleteOne of the most fascinating things discussed in lecture was Earthrise, the photograph taken by astronauts in the 1960's. Seeing the Earth stand out against the pitch-black background of space and the rocky foreground of the moon, the meaning behind the sublime seemed to be more evident. There is so much awe in just that small view of the Earth that it's hard to imagine what it must be like to actually be standing on the moon and experiencing a kind of insignificance towards your person and a longing to understand what it is that makes Earth so alluring to not just the mind, but the soul. If a view of the great natures on earth may leave people speeches, just what would it do to people standing alone thousands of miles from home? Earthrise reminded me of each photograph of earth I had seen in my childhood. I never gave it much thought since each one looked the same and I never grasped why so many people insisted on telling us that it was the greatest view in the world. I can understand it a little bit more now, if I put myself in the shoes of the people back in the 60's seeing this image for the first time. Being a cinema major, view is an important aspect of the audience's experience. It's not really about how aesthetically appealing it is, but about what kind of feeling it sparks in people. The same may be said about photography. This also brings to mind the various films in space we've seen in the past few years. One in particular that comes to mind is Gravity. There is a scene in this film where the main character catches sight of the Earth for the first time. She becomes speechless and stares at all the blue, green, and white from inside her spaceship. This reminds me that although people all over the world know what the Earth looks like from space, we may never truly know the feeling of actually seeing Earth standing outside of it. I believe those two feelings are different and only a fortunate few will ever get to meet that experience.
ReplyDeleteI think this last portion of the class has been the most interesting to me personally. Not that the rest of the class wasn’t interesting, it’s just as an electrical engineering student i am fascinated to hear the history of these major breakthroughs in electronics. GPS is so important to this day, i rely on it completely when i navigate. When people ask me “which route did you take here” i honestly can’t remember the names of the streets i just say “i just went the way google maps told me to go”. It’s fun to know more about the history of the technology i am learning about in my other classes. Reading "What the Drone Saw: the Cultural Optics of the Unmanned War" i was intrigued to learn about how important drones are now (and that’s just what they’re telling us!). Drones seem to be getting more popular, like every other cover of popular science or popular mechanics seems to feature a drone. I think there is even a Davis drone club. I can’t wait for a drone that can carry a human, we could be surfing on hoverboard drones one day. I really want a hoverboard lol.
ReplyDeleteAs a CS major, I really enjoyed the last few weeks of lecture regarding Cinerama and usage of drones. Both of these technologies are ground-breaking for their time and provide a new perspective for viewers.
ReplyDeleteI'm particularly fascinated by the use of drones and it's evolution of use. Similar to ballooning and flight, drones were first introduced for the military to easily and safely view enemy bases and territories. Drones, however, are different than ballooning and flight because it is unmanned, meaning the pilot is controlling the drone from a safe distance. Roughly a decade later, drones are becoming more common-place for normal individuals and available to purchase at your nearest electronics store. Soon, drones will be carrying cargo and items such as planes and balloons did before. I look forward to the future of drone use.