Day: November 26, 2023

RefAnnBib#2: The Legacy Of Cinema

Part 1: Bibliographic entry

Virtual Production Malta. virtualproductionmalta.com/blog/the-history-of-motion-capture-technology.

Part 2: Terminology/keywords

graphical marionette, bodysuit, motion capture, James Cameron, Robert Zemeckis, “Avatar”, CGI, the cloud, portable.

Part 3: Precis

Motion capture, also known as mocap, is the process of recording the movement of objects or people. It is typically used in animation, visual effects, and filmmaking to record actions or to analyze performance. Motion capture is not new, but it has changed significantly in the last few years. The history of motion capture technology can be traced back to the 1920s, when film animators used techniques such as rotoscoping to translate live-action footage into animation. Rotoscoping was a key technique in Disney’s smash hits “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

Part 4: Reflection

Motion capture has become a very common form of filmmaking in the modern era of cinema. But not many people know about it’s existence even before the turn of the 21st century. That’s right, while motion capture may have blown away audiences and the the world entirely with it’s appearances in films like “Tron: Legacy”, “Avatar”, and “Iron Man”, it actually existed in many forms of entertainment before. The history of motion capture technology can be traced back to the 1920s, when film animators used techniques such as rotoscoping to translate live-action footage into animation. Rotoscoping was a key technique in Disney’s smash hits “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” and “Alice in Wonderland.” It’s facts like these that are necessary to be shared with for people that are passionate in Cinema.

Part 5: Quotables

“The early noughties played a crucial role in motion capture becoming mainstream. Technological advances and high-end cameras, bodysuits and software, inspired director Robert Zemeckis to use mocap in his film “Polar Express.” Indeed, this was one of the first films made entirely with motion capture technology.”

“Filmmaker James Cameron was one of the most instrumental people to push mocap technology to where it is today. Cameron felt that the technology of the early 2000s was not enough to capture the richness of the “Avatar” world.”

“When he started filming, he pioneered the virtual camera, which enabled him to watch the actors’ CGI versions on a monitor in real time. Cameron won three Academy Awards and several other accolades thanks to his revolutionary use of motion capture.”

RefAnnBib #1: NYC Migrant Crisis

Part 1: Bibliographic Entry

Meko, Hurubie. “What to Know about the Migrant Crisis in New York City.” The New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023. 

Part 2: Terminology/Keywords

Migrants

NYC

Humanitarian crisis

Refugees/Refuge

United Nations (UN)

Economy

Shelters

Emergency housing

Work permits

Immigration

US Citizenship

Nonprofit organizations

Deportation

Part 3: Précis

The article demonstrates the migrant crisis in NYC, with over 130,600 migrants arriving since the spring of 2022. Mayor Eric Adams declares a state of emergency, conveying this humanitarian crisis could cost the city up to $12 billion over three years. Majority of the people arriving in NYC were Venezuelans escaping economic decline. However, recently migrants from Africa have also been arriving. The city responds by transforming a former hotel into a migrant intake center and creates new agencies. The system faces issues with over 65,000 migrants staying in the shelters as of October. Mayor Adams changes his approach with more migrants arriving. He discourages migrants from coming and seeks relief from legal obligations. The city’s estimated budget is spending $5 billion on migrant care and Governor Kathy Hochul pledged $1 billion in the next budget. The fate of many immigrants remains uncertain with long processing, legal challenges, expensive housing, and undocumented status. 

Part 4: Reflection

This article is very insightful about what NYC plans to do about the migrant crisis. I understand why Mayor Adams chose to tackle this issue differently and change his message. These shelters are already helping so many people which shows how space is becoming limited and more expensive for the city to fund. A question I have is how effective will the different locations for emergency housing for migrants be? The article mentions how shelters will be in hotels, school gymnasiums, parking lots, etc… so how would this affect New Yorkers? If we make more space for shelters this also makes it inconvenient for New Yorkers to access these things. The article is eye opening because of how impossible dealing with the situation could be. From the expenses to accessibility, the migrant crisis involves many different challenges. 

Part 5: Quotables

“The city transformed a former hotel in midtown into a migrant intake center and created a new agency to help coordinate their arrivals, but the city’s response has, at times, been fragmented and reactive as the shelter system has become more strained.”

“He has asked a judge to relieve the city of some of its legal obligations under its unique ‘right to shelter’ mandate. He used an executive order to suspend some of the requirements under the mandate this spring.”

“The Adams administration has discouraged migrants from coming, distributing fliers at the southern border telling them that there is non guarantee they will receive shelter or services.”

“Many new arrivals in New York have found jobs in the underground economy and joined the existing pool of undocumented workers, where they remain vulnerable to deportation and exploitation.”