Digital Film Theory

 

Digital Film Theory: Cinema in the Age of Algorithms

Introduction

Digital Film Theory studies how the shift from celluloid to digital technology reshapes film aesthetics, production, and spectatorship. It addresses virtuality, CGI, streaming platforms, and the algorithmic curation of viewing habits.

Key Ideas

• The digital image is infinitely reproducible, altering authenticity and temporality.

• Streaming culture personalizes film experience but risks homogenizing taste.

• The boundary between cinema and new media (VR, YouTube, TikTok) is dissolving.

Highlights

• Visual Realism vs. Simulation: Digital imagery can look more “real” than reality itself.

• Democratization of Production: Affordable cameras and editing tools empower independent creators.

• Algorithmic Spectatorship: AI recommendations influence what stories audiences encounter.

Example

Films like The Irishman (2019) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) showcase digital de-aging, CGI world-building, and data-driven storytelling — hallmarks of digital-era cinema.