Museum of the Moving Image

The trip to the Museum of the Moving Image was both informative and entertaining. Short attendance made the museum tour small and intimate, and our tour guide was able to give us lots of personal attention. We initially began the tour in chronological order, learning about the history and science of early film. As the tour progressed, we were able to learn about the different elements that go into film and television.

The most enjoyable part of the tour came early for me, when we first learned the science behind early film development and techniques. As we were explained the phenomenon of visual persistence, when the brain remembers pictures and connects them, we were able to actually interact and play with objects in the exhibit. We played with a zoetrope, and learned that breaks in between images allow the viewer to see movement. Using that same concept, Gregory Barsamian's art installation, "Feral Fount," used intervals of darkness at 13 frames per second to show an upward spiral of objects to transform into different objects. A faucet dripping a drop of water changed into a bomb, that morphed into a paper airplane, which ultimately changed into a broken plate.

Chronicling the advancements made in moving image technology, we were able to see how innovations have helped mediamakers tell more coherent and realistic stories. Three-strip technicolor technology, which was used for films such as "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone with the Wind," was exhibited. Using three strips of film, in red, blue, and green, bright colors were used to tell stories and present different worlds in these movies.

The Museum of the Moving Image was enjoyable because one could interact with the many of its objects. The trip was an educational experience fundamental to the topics presented in class.