Movies are probably an inherent and indispensable part of our culture. This has continued for at least a century now. Although, motion picture was basically a photographic medium; movies have relied predominantly on computer, electronics and electrical technologies.

(1) Lighting technology is very critical in filmmaking. Projectors and cameras made use of electric motors for getting stable film speed during the period of silent films. Mercury vapor tubes and arc floodlights were used in the studios in the early years. Tungsten bulbs (incandescent) were used in the mid 1920s and tungsten floodlights started dominating beyond the 1940s.

(2) Sound brought electronic medium into spotlight in film making. Microphones transferred sound to electric signals that could be processed electronically or amplified. Loudspeakers helped to recreate sound for the spectators. Sound techniques evolved. Magnetic recording replaced optical recording; finally taken over by the Dolby effect in the 1970s.

(3) Computers took centre stage in the 1980s. In 1995, the release of Toy Story which is the first computer generated movie was an important milestone in movie making technology. Computer generated imageries dominated the film industry thereby giving better looking and sounding movies for the audience.

(4) Going the digital way is a revolutionary change where photography is replaced by digital electronics. Digital movies are beneficial in more ways than one: movies can be reproduced and stored effectively, can be distributed at a lesser cost and production costs come down. However, costs of digital projectors are very high.

There are many intricate technologies used in movie making and requires an elaborate course to understand it all.