(photogrammetry on helicopters scanning fields)

Does the photogrammetry of props for film scene convey indexicality / realism? 

I picked this research question because I want to show how certain elements in shots/film scenes bring about a realistic atmosphere and feeling to the viewer. Realism in film scenes allow the audience to relate to what is being shown on screen. This essay will firstly, cover what photogrammetry is, looking at its background history as well as how it works. For example, photogrammetry is how information about an object is obtained from different photographs taken from different angles and locations. Using this information 3D models and real-world scenes can be made. Photogrammetry is normally divided into two types, aerial photogrammetry and terrestrial which is on the ground. The theory for my essay will be looking into the Stephen prince article “through the looking glass.”  

​

The second part of my essay will cover why props are important within film, bringing about symbolism. The reason props are essential within films is because (Precision drivers Atlanta) stated that “props convey the time and place an event took place, showing the cultural background being portrayed.” I will also cover how Indiana Jones and the raiders of the lost ark (2008), Fight club (1999)  and the matrix uses props to show realism. There is a scene in India jones and the raiders of the lost ark, called fight by the wing, and in this scene, the plane is a prop rotating in a circle. There is also a fuel tank leaking here and this scene shows how this plane prop does not keep the viewer in one space at a time, giving the sense of realistic action. “The movie Fight Club (1999) was one of the first to use photogrammetry in filmmaking, that was used in the kitchen explosion scene” (Geo Matching, No date). 

The third part of my essay, I will conduct my own research by using a photogrammetry phone app to scan a household object, as if it were a film prop. After this I will use Meta shape a more advanced photogrammetry style piece of software. After this I will put the object in Maya using some lighting techniques then rendering it out to see if it conveys realism, and compare the scan to the phone app one. By doing this, I can draw accurate results for my research and draw on the advantages and disadvantages of each piece of software. Finally, for my conclusion, I will reflect upon my question “Does the photogrammetry of props for film scene convey indexicality / realism”? By giving my own views and bringing in some context on 3d scanning comparing it to photogrammetry. By bringing in 3d scanning at the end I can decide which is more useful that photogrammetry in the film industry. 

​

Filmography: 

Indiana jones raiders of lost ark (1981) , fight club (1999) , star wars ,Jurassic park, James bond , Matrix (1999)

​

Bibliography: 

• Geo matching (no date) Photogrammetry from movies to software solutions.  

Available at:https://geo-matching.com/content/photogrammetry-from-movies-to-software-solutions (Accessed: 31 oct 2021) 

• Precision Drivers Atlanta (no date) Importance of props in movies. Available at:https://www.precisiondriversatlanta.com/blog/2018/importance-of-props-in-movies.html (Accessed: 31 Oct 2021) 

​

• Prince s. (2010) Through the looking glass index , philosophical toys and digital visual effects

​

• Tom gunning article what's the point of the index.