MoMI Reflection

One thing I definitely learned at the Museum of the Moving Image is that there is a clear difference between hearing about something and seeing it, a truth that became immediately evident when we entered a hall of cameras, projectors and sound recorders stretching along on both sides. I had of course read about these cameras, but seeing them in person made me fully realize just how large they used to be. As the guide pointed out in the small video window of Meet Me in St. Louis, the technicolor camera only allowed for the most slow and elongated of movements with its huge, hefty size. It’s remarkable to see firsthand how changes in technology have changed not only the ease of creating film but also the actual techniques and popular shot styles.

Another impressive sight was the editing table, which we learned used to be predominantly a woman’s profession (the same was true for script supervisors). Although the reasoning behind why these jobs were “women’s work” are outdated and sexist, it is a little disheartening to think of how few jobs remain female-dominated today in the film industry. The table was elaborate in appearance, and I couldn’t help but think how difficult it might be to make the kind of minute changes that I often do using my computer. It would be impossible to make a change, remove it, put it back, change it slightly, remove it, and so forth. These editors must have had to really have faith in a decision before physically cutting and attaching the film from the spools on this table. I am grateful for the technology that we currently possess, but I have to wonder what it must have felt like to have a movie literally come together in your hands.