Film Production Research Articles

Production of biodegradable potato starch films containing Lycium barbarum polysaccharide and investigation of their physicochemical properties

Biodegradable films based on potato starch (POS) modified with Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) were prepared. The basic characteristics of the films, including thickness, opacity, swelling degree, color and water vapor permeability (WVP), were investigated. Rheometry, spectroscopy and textural analysis techniques were applied to determine the micro- and macro-physicochemical properties of the films. The inclusion of LBP in films led to a substantial reduction in thickness (from 0.16 to 0.11 mm), moisture content (from 15.16 % to 13.72 %), and WVP (from 4.03 ×10−4 to 2.69 ×10−4 g·mm·cm−2·d−1·kPa−1). The film color indices a* and b* (i.e., red and yellow) increased as the amount of added LBP was increased. No grease penetration occurred in films prepared using 0.4 or 0.6 (%, w/v) LBP, and they displayed excellent UV resistance. Incorporation of LBP significantly improved the thermal stability of potato starch films, and inhibited the swelling of film in alkaline solution. The addition of 0.4 or 0.6 (%, w/v) LBP increased the biocompatibility of films and resulted in a high tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB). Compost burial tests showed that incorporation of LBP did not disrupt the excellent degradation properties of starch films. These results prove the potential of LBP as a green modification material to improve the properties of potato starch-based films.

La figura del periodista en el nacimiento del film noir. Stranger on the Third Floor (1940, Boris Ingster)

This article summarises the results of an investigation into the figure of the journalist and the importance of journalism in early film noir in the United States. To this end, we analyse the film Stranger on the Third floor (1940, Boris Ingster), a low budget feature (a so-called B-movie) produced by RKO. This film should be considered the first full-blown example of the US film noir genre and in it, the press and the carácter of the journalist are key to understanding its plot, internal narrative, and even the structure of the film. Here, we propose a three-fold análisis encompassing the historical context, plot, and form of the film to examine how Boris Ingster and the RKO cinematic production team succeeded in making Stanger on the Third Floor into a stylistic model for US film noire in which journalism plays a key role.

Employing artificial intelligence techniques in digital film production - a case study of the film "Rule of Your Swords.

Employing artificial intelligence techniques in digital film production - a case study of the film "Rule of Your Swords.

Tailored antimicrobial PHBV-based packaging for extended shelf life of processed cheese

A coupled experimental and modelling approach was used to develop an adapted PHBV active film with Lauroyl Arginate Ethyl (LAE®) as an antimicrobial compound incorporated in the bulk or as a coating to prolong the shelf life of cheese. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of LAE® was evaluated in the range of 25–100 ppm against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, such as Micrococcus luteus, Penicillium roqueforti, Salmonella enteritidis, and Pseudomonas putida. Film production induced a loss of 50 % of LAE® when introduced into the bulk, whereas only 4 % was lost in the case of incorporation by coating. When in contact with food simulant D1 (50 % ethanol), a release of 43 % and 34 % of LAE® was achieved in 10 days at 20 °C for LAE® incorporated as a coating and in the bulk, respectively, while a lower release level of 34 % and 14 % respectively was observed in food simulant C (20 % ethanol), confirming the interest to use active coating for fatty foods. The developed packaging was well adapted to reach the MIC while remaining below the admissible daily intake. The results also showed that the PHBV film activated with LAE® incorporated as a coating was as effective as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to preserve cheese against microorganism growth.

An Exploratory Study on the Application and Impact of Artificial Intelligence Technology in China’s Film and Television Industry: Centered on the Innovation and Development Strategy of AI in Film Production

Purpose - This paper discusses the historical traceability of artificial intelligence technology and its development lineage in the film and television industry. It analyzes the close connection between AI technology and the film and television industry. The text summarizes the challenges and impacts of AI technology on the film and television industry, along with suggestions for future development. Design/Methodology/Approach - In order to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the film and television culture industry, this paper analyzes the impact of artificial intelligence on the film and television culture industry from the perspective of macro-industry and the perspective of application technology, starting from the overall technological impetus of artificial intelligence to the film and television culture industry and the application of artificial intelligence in film and television image processing. The case was analyzed in detail. Based on a summary of previous research, this study identifies key issues and proposes solutions. Findings - Through the research of this paper, the problems of artificial intelligence in film and television creation are summarized, and the potential problems are easily generated technical dependence, legal risks in creation, and reduced professional value of practitioners, etc. Countermeasure suggestions are put forward to break the technical dependence, provide a legal basis for the creation of artificial intelligence, and adjust the use of the positioning to realize the synergy between man and machine. Research Implications - This paper aims to enhance the application of AI in the film and television culture industry, thereby increasing the industry vitality of the film and television sector.

BAAHUBALI: THE BEGINNING & BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

“The only reason I would write a sequel is if I were struck by an idea that I felt to be equal to the original. Too many sequels diminish the original.” ~ Dean KoontzA sequel is a production of literature, film, theatre, television, music, or video game that continues or expands upon the plot of some earlier work. When we talk about the narrative work of fiction, a sequel showcases events set in the same timeline and set as an earlier work, usually following the events of that work.In many cases, the sequel proceeds with the same elements of the existing story, often with the same characters and settings. A sequel can lead to a series, in which key characters appear repeatedly for eg. ‘The Dhoom franchise’. The Indian film industry is known for the sequels even though most of them are not as successful as the prequel. Most of the sequels either repeated the entire cast in a different storyline while some of them were made with a few popular characters of a successful movie. ‘Padmashree Doctor Saroj Kumar ‘is an example for the same as the movie was made with three main characters (Saroj Kumar, Pacchalam Bhasi, and Rafeeque) of its prequel ‘Udayananu Thaaram’.‘Baahubali: The Beginning’ is one of the most successful movies ever made in India. The movie was released in 2015 and the sequel, ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion’ was released in 2017 and became the biggest block buster of all time. Even though surpassing the collection records of the prequel there are many flaws and unanswered questions regarding ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion’.This study compares and analyses ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion’ as a perfect sequel in light of aspects like the story, screenplay, character portrayal and quality like graphics and other aspects are studied. ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion’ has several elements which fail to connect with the first film. This study will also analyze the reasons behind the elements that failed to do justice to the prequel.

IMPLEMENTATION OF MAGNETRON SPUTTERING METHOD IN OBTAINING A RADIO-ABSORBING THIN FILM BASED ON CoC

This paper describes the main results of the study of obtaining samples of radio-absorbing CoC films by magnetron sputtering and evaluates the data of experimental and computational studies on the relationship between the structure and properties of CoC films. To eliminate the ferromagnetic effect of cobalt, a composite target was used. The use of the composite target during magnetron sputtering ensures the production of films of a given and necessary composition. Structural-phase state of the obtained films was studied using XRD, SEM and TEM methods. A distinctive feature of the synthesized coating is the absence of a crystalline structure in some areas due to the amorphizing properties of cobalt and its tendency to form metallic glasses. Results obtained by the experiments are in good agreement with computational modeling results. The radio-absorbing properties of the obtained films were confirmed by the results of measuring the reflection loss, standing wave ratio, reflectance, and impedance. Results presented in the article can serve as a baseline for perspective studies in this field.

Depiction of Oppression of the LGBTQ+ Community in the Dialogues of the Youtube Film Series “Sakristan”

“Sakristan” is a 20-minute film series with eight episodes directed by Darryl Yap; it shows that love goes beyond religion and gender. The research analyzed if there are sources of inaccurate portrayals that may have harmful repercussions such as hatred, oppression, and stereotypes toward the LGBTQ+ community. The study employed a qualitative content analysis method wherein the researchers observed the film’s mise-en-scene in relation to its dialogues to better understand how ‘Sakristan” portrayed the LGBTQ+ community. By utilizing Burke’s (1945) Pentadic Analysis, Green and Brock’s (2000, as cited in Green et al., 2004) Narrative Transportation Theory, and Queer Theory, results show that there is a pervasive presence of stereotyping and mockery as prominent ideologies within the series, the portrayal of oppression through the mise-en-scene of Sakristan (2020) varied across different scenes, and negative implications constructed various forms of oppression that were evident in the whole series which were powerlessness, exploitation, violence, and marginalization. Within the context of globalization and expanding reach of media, cinematic productions possess the capacity to transcend geographic and cultural limitations, diffusing LGBTQ+ identities to a global audience. Furthermore, this serves as a reference to develop a deeper understanding toward the community and how society can promote inclusivity worldwide. This also allows the media to know their potential to exert influence on international perceptions and attitudes toward queer individuals.

Fabrication and application of multifunctional conductive hydrogel film for wearable sensors via efficient freeze-thaw cycling and annealing process

Conductive hydrogel films, as integral elements of flexible sensors, hold promising applications across diverse fields. However, their cost-effective and straightforward production, ensuring both excellent mechanical properties and conductivity, remains a formidable challenge. In our research, we developed a multifunctional conductive hydrogel film using a freeze-thaw cycling-annealing method. That process applied freeze-thaw cycling to reorganize the hydrogel’s cross-linking structure and improve the polyvinyl alcohol molecules’ crystallinity through annealing. The thickness of the fabricated film was approximately 100 μm, and the limit of detection and sensitivity for glucose were 2.82 μM and 117.6 μA /mM*cm2 respectively, and the sensitivity factor during the bending process was 2.61, which demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and electrochemical properties. It also facilitates wireless, real-time electrophysiological signal monitoring and sweat glucose tracking in the human body. In summary, the freeze-thaw cycling/annealing approach simplified and accelerated hydrogel film preparation. This development is poised to resolve the intricacies of existing hydrogel film production methods and broaden the application scope of such films in wearable devices.

Corn Waste a Sustainable Solution for Plastic Pollution: A Mini Review

Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue leading to extensive ecological damage and posing health risks due to the persistence of petrochemical-derived plastics. Biodegradable films particularly those derived from renewable resources like corn waste offer a promising solution to this issue. Corn waste including husks, stalks and cobs are rich in cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin making it suitable for biodegradable film production. Various methods such as chemical treatments, enzymatic hydrolysis and mechanical processes are used to extract useful components from corn waste followed by film formation techniques like casting and extrusion. Corn waste films exhibit mechanical and barrier properties comparable to conventional plastics with the added benefit of faster biodegradability. These films have potential applications in packaging and agriculture reducing plastic waste and supporting sustainable practices.

Determining the influence of relative humidity on the working parameters of a gas sensor based on zinc oxide

This paper investigates the dependence of operating parameters of a gas sensor based on zinc oxide obtained by the method of direct current magnetron sputtering. The production of gas sensor films was carried out using a VUP-5M vacuum unit with an original material-saving magnetron. The study of the dependence of the working parameters of the gas sensor was carried out under standard conditions. It was found that with increasing humidity, the electrical resistance of the gas sensor decreases and, accordingly, the sensitivity to the target gas decreases. A significant reaction of the gas sensor to an increase in humidity was observed in the range of 65–80 % relative humidity. The mechanism of influence of relative humidity on the sensitivity of a gas sensor based on ZnO was investigated. The change in resistance of the gas sensor is caused by trapped electrons on adsorbed oxygen molecules on the surface of the sensitive layer. The capture of electrons from the conduction zone leads to bending of the conduction zone and an increase in the space charge zone, respectively, to a change in the resistance of the sensitive layer of the gas sensor. In the atmosphere, when O2 molecules are adsorbed on the ZnO surface, they remove an electron from the conduction band. The reaction of oxygen adsorbed on the ZnO surface with reducing gases and the replacement of adsorbed oxygen with other molecules changes the bending of the conduction band and reduces the area of space charge. Adsorption of water on the surface of zinc oxide occurs according to the dissociation mechanism, which consists in the adsorption of steam molecules or hydroxyl groups with the subsequent displacement of previously adsorbed oxygen and free electrons and, accordingly, leads to a decrease in the sensitivity of the gas sensor. In addition, the adsorption of water vapor (H2O) molecules leads to less chemisorption of oxygen species on the ZnO surface due to the reduction of the surface area, which is responsible for the sensor response. Approaches to reduce the influence of relative humidity on the sensitivity of a gas sensor based on zinc oxide have been proposed

Production of a novel biodegradable film made from chitosan and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed essential oil

This study evaluated the effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed essential oil (PSO) on chitosan-based films. The results showed that the addition of PSO slightly increased thickness, while significantly decreasing the moisture content, and solubility properties. The color values of the composite films containing PSO changed noticeably, with a tendency toward light brown, which was beneficial in resisting food decomposition caused by ultraviolet light. X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier-transform Infrared (FT-IR) results indicated that the addition of PSO affected the structure of the chitosan films, while the interaction between chitosan and polyphenols in PSO established new hydrogen bonds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the surface of the PSO-containing blend films was rougher compared to the chitosan control film, and the roughness increased as the PSO content in the blend films increased. Additionally, composite films that contained PSO had substantial antibacterial action, particularly against pathogenic E. coli. In short, the novel active chitosan-based films with incorporated PSO present broad application prospects in the packaging of fresh-cut meat or vegetables. Therefore, this study will also be beneficial in these areas.

Learning from Competitors: Evidence from the Movie Industry

As an entertainment medium, movies are closely related to everyone's daily life. Using film industry data can help understanding how a country's industry develops and progresses. It is widely seen in many contexts that companies can learn from competitors to improve quality and adopt technology. This project uses detailed film production data to understand the upgrading process of China's film industry over the past decade. The study finds that foreign filmmakers produce significantly more feature films. Feature films are a special type of film that are more technical and require large visual teams. It finds that foreign films have more visual team members than domestic ones. It shows that domestic film productions catch up by hiring foreign visual team members. It is illustrated that how strategically hiring foreign experts promotes domestic industry upgrading and technological knowledge transfer. Film industry data provide unique insights into these human resource channels to narrow the capability gap between domestic and foreign producers. These results provide insights into the channels behind industry upgrading.

The nucleation mechanism of MoS2 on Au(111) surface

Controllable preparation of two-dimensional MoS2 single crystal thin films is the key to its development and application. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is considered one of the most promising methods for large-scale production of 2D MoS2 films. However, at present, the single crystal MoS2 films prepared by CVD have defects and insufficient sizes. The reason may be that the CVD growth mechanism of MoS2 is still unclear. In this paper, density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to systematically explore the nucleation mechanism of MoS2 grown on Au (111) surface with molybdenum powder and H2S as precursors. In our theoretical study, some key links of MoS2 nucleation have been clearly displayed, such as deposition of molybdenum, dehydrogenation of H2S, lifting of Mo atoms and so on. This study provides a deep understanding of the nucleation of MoS2 during CVD growth and theoretical basis for the synthesis of various TMDs.

A Politics of Working-Class Culture and the Culture of Working-Class Politics: The Aesthetics and Activism of Amber Film and Photography Collective and the Berwick Street Film Collective

This paper examines how Amber Film and Photography Collective’s working-class affiliations and Berwick Street Film Collective’s middle-class makeup shaped their divergent approaches to depicting ‘working-class issues’ by drawing on the films of both collectives, alongside archival materials and oral testimonies. By engaging in a comparative reading, I highlight the breadth of Amber’s oeuvre, tracing the development of their filmmaking strategies—which included agitprop, the fusion of factual and fictional formal elements and transnational collaboration with the German DemocraticRepublic’s film production company, Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft (DEFA)—to demonstrate that, contrary to criticisms levelled by contemporary theorists clustered around Screen magazine and the British Film Institute, Amber transcended the constraints of Documentary Realism by incorporating radical avant-garde aesthetics into their oppositional practice. Concomitantly, Amber’s radical filmmaking is positioned as relative to its members’ working-class solidarities, with their concern for championing working-class cultures contrasted with Berwick Street’s broader political agendas. Through foregrounding this politics/culture dialectic, the practical repercussions of Berwick Street’s middle-class representation of ‘working-class interests’ are investigated while the theoretical criteria by which avant-garde depictions of ‘working-class issues’ are evaluated are themselves assessed.

Understanding Film Fan Tourism: An Inventory of 15 Years of Research

The first studies of film and television as inducers of tourism appeared in the 1990s. From the outset, research in this area has identified a diverse range of tourist profiles, highlighting the fact that audiovisual media fans constitute an important segment of the tourism market because fan consumers dedicate considerable amounts of time, money, and energy to pursuing their specific interest. As a result, academic researchers have developed a substantial body of knowledge in this field over a relatively short period. The objective of this article is to offer a critical review of studies that have enhanced our understanding of film fan tourists to identify critical gaps in knowledge and, consequently, propose new ways to fully integrate the fan perspective into studies of audiovisual fiction-induced tourism. To this end, all the articles dealing with this specific tourist profile indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar (49) have been identified and analysed based on their year of publication, geographical location, type of audiovisual production studied, methodology adopted and composition of the sample, major research themes and main theoretical and/or practical contributions. This review of the literature on film fan tourists finds that our understanding of the specific characteristics of the profile and behaviour of this type of tourist is still limited. This is due to some extent on the lack of consensus on the definition of the concept of “fans”, which has led to the erroneous classification of tourists whose travel motivation has nothing to do with a film and/or television production—and who may not even be fans of that production—as film fan tourists. The recommendations of this review thus focus mainly on reaching a consensus on the definition of the concept and establishing a single set of selection criteria for future research

Valorization of Grain and Oil By-Products with Special Focus on Hemicellulose Modification.

Hemicellulose is one of the most important natural polysaccharides in nature. Hemicellulose from different sources varies in chemical composition and structure, which in turn affects the modification effects and industrial applications. Grain and oil by-products (GOBPs) are important raw materials for hemicellulose. This article reviews the modification methods of hemicellulose in GOBPs. The effects of chemical and physical modification methods on the properties of GOBP hemicellulose biomaterials are evaluated. The potential applications of modified GOBP hemicellulose are discussed, including its use in film production, hydrogel formation, three-dimensional (3D) printing materials, and adsorbents for environmental remediation. The limitations and future recommendations are also proposed to provide theoretical foundations and technical support for the efficient utilization of these by-products.

Trauma, Memory, and the Politics of Mourning in New Albanian Film from Kosovo

A quarter century since the wars of Yugoslav dissolution were ended in 1999 by NATO bombardment, film production observing the wars through a critical lens can still be called quite meager. In the past few years, however, an increasing number of Albanian filmmakers from Kosovo have emerged, exposing the consequences of the war as well as the continuing legacy of strict patriarchal norms and post-war lethal capitalism. In the films discussed in this article – Zana (2019) by Antoneta Kastrati, Hive (2021) by Blerta Basholli, and Three Windows and a Hanging (2014) by Isa Qosja – the suffering of the female protagonists is pitted against the collective trauma and thus coopted by the same nationalist-­capitalist thanatopolitics that created the conditions for the wars, and continues to regulate, restrict and repress survivors’ memory and mourning practices. The films’ female protagonists defy these restrictions, resisting through silent stoicism and ‘agonistic mourning’.

Interconnected Nanoporous Polysulfone by the Self-Assembly of Randomly Linked Copolymer Networks and Linear Multiblocks.

Porous materials have attracted considerable attention due to their versatile applications, especially in water purification. Interconnected nanoporous structures are distinguished by their high degree of porosity and resistance to clogging, as well as their insensitivity to nanostructural orientation. Previous works on randomly linked copolymer systems have shown that they can effectively produce disordered cocontinuous nanostructures, which upon removal of one component yield interconnected nanoporous materials. However, the cocontinuous nanomaterials previously developed using polystyrene (PS) and poly(d,l-lactic acid) (PLA) strands, and the resulting interconnected nanoporous PS monoliths, were far too brittle to enable practical use as membranes. Here, we study the self-assembly of randomly linked copolymer networks prepared using blocks of the engineering polymer polysulfone (PSU). A wide cocontinuous regime (spanning 40 wt %) was found for randomly end-linked copolymer networks (RECNs) constructed from PSU and PLA strands, via a combination of mechanical testing, gravimetry, small-angle X-ray scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. The PSU/PLA cocontinuous nanomaterial with symmetric composition showed 2.4 times higher Young's modulus and ∼100 times greater toughness than the corresponding PS/PLA sample. The interconnected nanoporous PSU fabricated after etching of PLA even exhibited 1.6 times greater toughness than PS/PLA prior to PLA removal. To facilitate the production of thin films of cocontinuous nanomaterials, we applied solution-processable randomly linked linear PSU/PLA multiblock polymers onto ultrafiltration membranes. The interconnected nanoporous PSU thin film generated by etching PLA was found to effectively reject 50 nm diameter particles without significantly compromising permeability. This discovery presents a valuable addition to the existing techniques used to fabricate PSU membranes. In contrast to traditional methods, which are sensitive to processing conditions, produce a wide range of pore sizes, and offer limited adjustability of pore size, the current technique is anticipated to enable interconnected PSU membranes with more uniform and tailorable porosity.

Preparation and characterization of fluconazole-loaded sodium caseinate matrix films for oral candidiasis

Sodium caseinates (SCs), which are milk proteins, can form micelle structures by self-assembly and can be applied as film-forming agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of SC films loaded with fluconazole (FCZ) for use as a drug delivery system with anticandidal activity. A tablet film-coating instrument was used for film production via the spraying method. FCZ molecules can interact with the SC micelles in films via hydrogen bond formation. The FCZ-loaded SC films with a 1:0.1 SC:FCZ ratio presented an amorphous form of FCZ and greater flexibility than films with higher loadings. The FCZ particles (in monohydrate form) can be embedded in the film matrix, resulting in changes in the thermal and mechanical properties. The film dissolution time and drug release rate increased with an increase in FCZ content. The released FCZ was efficient against Candida albicans and possessed mucoadhesive properties on porcine mucosa. In addition, the FCZ-loaded SC films still presented good stability under ambient conditions after 3-months of storage. This study indicates that FCZ-loaded SC films have strong potential for use in oral candidiasis treatment.