The cultural artifact that I chose to write about is the motion picture camera. The motion picture camera is unique in more ways than you'd think. First of all, its an insanely advanced piece of equipment. It took a company and a group of designers and engineers a great deal of time to create- especially the modern digital cinema camera. In terms of the film industry- it is probably the single most important element to any film set. Without it, a video could not be created.
The camera also says a lot about the person using it. In the industry, one does not simply become a camera operator. It takes several years to work their way up a figurative ladder to get to the point of becoming a Director of Photography (the person that operates the camera). The person who operates the camera has spent a ton of time perfecting their craft- working first as a 2nd camera assistant taking notes about each shot and loading and unloading equipment. The person then progresses towards a 1st camera assistant and learns the ins and outs of the camera. They also are responsible for making sure that everything is always in focus and keeping lenses and other support equipment in full working order. Being able to finally operate the camera is a big deal as a lot of a video's success depends on that person. I was fortunate enough to work at a camera rental house a few years ago and really learned the ins and outs of the camera world. Its an artifact that has evolved greatly over the past 100 years. Cameras used to shoot on film, now everything is digital. Its truly incredible the power and significance of this object. Never before has anything else been able to capture a slice of life and tell a story!
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