The Matrix Assignment

Questions:
1. Where was “The Matrix” filmed?
The Matrix was filmed in Sydney, Australia.

2. Where did the directors get the idea for “The Matrix” and what problems did that cause?
The two directors got the idea for the making of the movie from a Japanese anime comic. The problem this caused was the fact that, at the time was no-one had ever done such a thing as making it real.

3. In the movie, what is ‘The Matrix’?
In the movie, The Matrix was described as a computer program that simulates reality, Including things like taste, smell, pain, suffering and other innate human senses, and emotions.

4. If the matrix is only a computer program, why do people die in real life if they die in the program?
If people get killed in the matrix they die in real life, because there mind enters the Matrix, and if it is killed, the body that is left behind in the real world cannot survive, because it has no mind left to control it.

5. How was the fight sequence filmed and what influence did the Hong Kong film makers have on these scenes?
The fight sequence was filmed at some points in “bullet time” which allows people to view the scene in slow motion, while the camera is circling at normal speed, the fight scenes also used a movie fighting style based in Hong Kong, known as wire fighting, which straps wires onto the actor, and gives the illusion that the character can jump supernatural distances and heights, as well as do high flips.

6. How did they get the 3D still image effect?
The directors got the 3D still image effect with the help of engineers from Manex Visual effects, by using more complicated camera angles, flexible moving interest points there is also an improved fluidity through the use of non-linear interpolation, digital compositing, and the introduction of computer generated "virtual" scenery.

7. What steps were involved in filming the helicopter scene?
The steps involved in making the helicopter scene, it was shot in different places, and shot using a big step, it also took around 3 months, to get the effect of the ever expanding explosion in the movie.

8. What is AI (Artificial Intelligence)?
A.I (Artificial Intelligence) is when computers and other various pieces of technology are given intelligence, eg. the ability to think and express their processes.

9. Movies like “The Matrix” and the Terminator franchise represent a fear of new technologies. Discuss why you think people may be worried about the advances in computer technology.
People might be worried about the advances in technology because it is always growing and expanding and new things are being achieved, and while this is good, there is always that little fear that something new could be developed, that could actually be smart enough, to take over and make extinct the human race, which is exactly what movies like The Matrix and The Terminator express.

10. What does the character ‘Neo’ represent?
Neo represents in a sense hope for the human race. He is the person that no-one expects to become the hero, someone who, like all humans doubt there abilities, and need just a little extra push for them to realize there, said abilities.