TECHNES Encyclopedia Database

Later, the technical evolution of cinema’s optical system made it possible to reduce this encumbrance with a sound recorder used in parallel with the camera^[2]. Although a few synchronous sequences of documentary films were shot using this technique in the 1930s and 40s, most filmmakers continued to shoot silent. Cameras were much lighter and more mobile than sound recording equipment. In addition, the sound footage had to be developed just like the image footage.