Movies… Talkies… and now Smellies!

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*/Cinemakaran thats how he calls himself. And thats what he is trying to be, a cinema personnel. We now each other for some 3 years or so and we have had a wonderful time together. Sajeesh ettan came here as a student and now he is a lecturer. He has experienced the highs and lows of life, but am sure he is set to achieve great heights. This article is something he wants to work on. Its feels great to host his article in here. I conclude by wishing him the very best in all aspects of his life.*/

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Have you ever felt cinema is handicapped when it comes to projecting reality? Is cinema lacking something? Give a thought to it. If your answer is ‘NO’, you are wrong! What about Smell?

Didn’t you ever feel the need for smell in cinemas? If a fragrance of love was incorporated with the ‘I am flying’ sequence in James Cameroon’s “Titanic”, wouldn’t it have been more awesome? With the spectacular cinematography and amazing music in the background, a pleasant fragrance of love would have given an extremely romantic experience for the sequence. 

With the sight and sound making cinema a realistic way of representing life, there was always one thing that cinema lacked; the power of Smell. If smell can be incorporated to cinema, it will have the real 3 dimensional experience with the 3 ‘S’ operating, i.e., Sight, Sound & Smell!

 Smell in Cinema

 Smell is one of those sensory experiences which are strongly associated to human memories. It brings back the memories of places and people. It is also associated with spirituality since divine odors are an important ingredient of most of the spiritual practices. Taste buds also work only due to the existence of smell. Recent researches have also proved that the smell can be used to induce certain feelings like nostalgia, fear, romance etc.

 

Once smell was considered least important. In fact smell was ignored and left in the trash in an era dominated by the computers and electronics. But the sense of smell is now considered as one of the means by which visual media’s delineating effects can be mitigated.

The sense of smell is poised to break free from many of its assumed delineation. The mystery of how smell works, for instance, has defied scientific understanding for centuries. However with the award of the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine to Neuroscientists Richard Axel and Linda.B.Buck, the basic code by which scents are perceived and cognitively processed seems to be on the verge being   cracked (Nobel Prize Org. 2004)

Smell and Cinema is not a quite new concept. In fact attempts to incorporate smell to cinema dates back to 1916; even before sound was introduced! It was S.L.Rothafel, the owner of a film theater in Forest City, Pennsylvania who deluged the audience of a rose bowl game newsreel in the scent of rose oil. He dipped cotton in rose scent and held it in front of an electric fan, there by suffusing the theater with floral fragrance. But soon, a new fad hit the moviegoers; Sound. The technology that would one day be known as Smell-O-Vision was lost in noise!

 

Hans Laube and Smell-O-Vision

Later on, Hans Laube was excited by the idea of smell in cinema. He invented Scent-O-Vision, a system that released scents connected to individual scents in movie theaters, and debuted it at the 1939 New York’s World Fair. The basic concept involved a projectionist manually releasing various scent vials at specific points in a movie, such as the scent of flowers during a romantic scene or the smell of gun smoke during a shoot-out. The original Scentovision system failed to catch on for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the substantial amount of conflicting fragrances which eventually filled the theater.

Scent of Mystery

For years, the technology was forgotten. But it was re-introduced in 1960’s in the mystery film aptly titled as “The Scent of Mystery”. Laube perfected his technology into a “Smell Brain”; a series of perfume bottles with scents that were released into the theater automatically as the film threaded through the projector. The process was called Smell-O-Vision.

Ads for the film read, “First they moved (1895)! Then they talked (1927)! Now they Smell (1960)! Scent track was incorporated on the film itself to trigger odors, analogue to a sound track. The release of the odors was synchronized with specific audio visual events in the film. Several of the film’s most prominent clues were set to be conveyed by the Smell Brain.

Even though the idea got a positive buzz before the release, the experiment was a flop. In fact Times Magazine’s (2000) Reader Poll has selected it as one of the ‘Top 100 Worst Ideas of all Time’!

Even though smell was synchronized with the audio visual content, its immediacy was restrained by the slow diffusion of scent, especially in a large theater space. Audience members in the balcony found the smells delivered to them several seconds delayed; the entire system was olfactory out of sync. Other parts of the theater barely got the smells.

Release of one scent to another was not instantaneous and had to be carefully managed to avoid odorific confusion which was not desired. Subsequent removal of the smell also had to be carried out to avoid the uneasiness created by the odor in the atmosphere. This also was not possible. Smell-O-Vision was temporarily snuffed out.

 There was also another attempt to mix smell with cinema. The process was called “Aromarama” which dispersed smell through AC with Freon gas. An Italian travel feature about China, “Beyond the Great Wall” (1958) came with this technology whose tagline read “You Must Breathe it to Believe it”!

 All these attempts during that era can be related to the frantic efforts taken by the film makers to retain the cinema audience from Television. Certain techniques like 3D, Cinerama etc never caught on like Smell-O-Vision. But still cinema survived with spectacular viewing experience rendered to the audience. Thanks to Cinemascope and 70mm technologies.

Odorama

The idea of smell kept on exciting film makers through the years. Modern attempts at reviving Smell-O-vision were undertaken by John Waters when he released his film ‘Polyster’ in 1982. He handed over ‘Scratch and Sniff’ cards to the viewers and they were asked to smell it during specific scenes.

The ‘Scratch and Sniff’ cards had some 8-10 spots which were numbered. The audience had to scratch and sniff each spot when that particular number appears on the screen. This turned out to be quite popular and more fool proof. When the MTV re-aired the film in 1992, they handed out the “Scratch and Sniff” cards at convenient stores.

Smell in Gadget Age

 

In the gadget age Smell-O-Vision lives on. Digiscents inc. is developing the ismell personal scent synthesizer; a device that will let smells be transmitted through the internet scent synthesizer can be compared to the desktop speakers.

In Cinema, the Collin Farell starrer “The New World” which was released in Japan in April 2006 tried to bring back the essence of smelling cinema. The film which was released in certain theaters in Japan had an internet based fragrance system. The movie goers were exposed to various scents to heighten their sense of joy, love, sadness etc during key scenes.

The technology was based on NTT Com's Fragrance Communication (Kaori Tsushin) system, which uses a special scent-emitting device programmed with information obtained via the Web. Scents were emitted into the theaters using devices placed under viewers' seats. The system was employed at one theater each in Tokyo and   Osaka.

The system downloads an aroma recipe and distribution schedule from an aroma-control server and stores the information in a LAN box, which can then be disconnected from the network and moved freely. The box is then connected to aroma-emitting devices placed under a number of seats in the theater. Each device contains six base oils, which are combined according to the recipes for specifically generated aromas. The LAN box controls the automatic release of these aromas during selected scenes of the movie.

Future Prospects

Research has shown that the human sense of smell can create stronger, more lasting impressions than sight, suggesting that smell has the potential to greatly heighten the intended effect of communication for diverse purposes. So, the idea of smell in cinema will never die. In fact it will get on to Television and of course internet too. And who knows, if we have more fool proof technologies, the entire structure of cinema might change just like sound changed the structure and story telling styles of silent movies.

There should be provision made to remove the scent as and when it is released to avoid the foul smell sticking on to the environment which inturn will create suffocation in the viewers. And there should be attempts to make the fragrance reach each and every member in the audience at the same time. If minor things like these are taken care off, in the digital age, as the mystery surrounding how the smell works has been almost clarified, there will be no looking back for the idea of  smell in cinema.

Cinema is always a novelty. Cinema has not reached the saturation level yet and it will never reach there! More and more newer things will come up to make the cinema exciting as ever. Let there be more efforts to make the cinemas smell in the coming years with the increased and better understanding of the Odors and how they work and transmit. This will make cinema a real 3 Dimensional visual experience!

 

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SAJEESH RAJENDRAN

Faculty –DFM, SAE, India

 

 

Reference : The Smell culture Reader      Edited by Jim Orobnick (Berg Publishers)

                   http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/biosi/staffinfo/jacob/teaching/sensory/olfact1.html  

Minor's Intellections

Chapter-2

Atul was happy to see her smiling and waving back, "It always feels nice when someone smiles back" he thought. He reached the school in little time and got along with his friends. But still a little of him was busy thinking of something else and so he didn't give his ears to his friends much and to whatever they said, they discussed mostly about cartoons,story books and a little of sports. "I got a new bat" said one of his friends named Rohan and everyone except Atul started intriguing him on the make and details of the bat. Soon they got back to the class and took their places.  

Atul sat next to Jishnu, they were thick friends. Atul is the chubby fellow, got penetrating looks, yeah very much thoughtful boy, mostly silent, stays at the same place every class and a little attentive as well. Jishnu is the naughty, eccentric and electric kid, keeps shifting his place every class, disturbs the class but he is the one who gives life to the whole class. Both Atul and Jishnu are the favorites of most of the teachers. Though their acts seem contrary they make good friends. At the age of six you don't really know much about friendship but if someone asks Atul "Who is your best friend ?" and he would be fast to respond with the answer "Jishnu" and the same happens with Jishnu. They had created some kind of an internal bond that had kept them close and perhaps more closer. 

Anne teacher had come in, "Good Morning Miss" the whole class would uniformly wish her and "Good Morning Children" she would wish back. This has been a routine affair between them. Anne teacher has been in this profession of nurturing these young children for over 2 decades now, and still she loves what she does and does it with the utmost sincerity. Every single child in that class loves her, and she would be the first one they invite for their birthdays and give chocolates. She would take them to the assembly ground every week, narrate stories, recite poems to them. They loved to listen to her stories. 

"Dear children, today i am going to ask you about your ambitions. I want all of you to think of it and tell me" Anne teacher said. Suddenly the whole silence transformed into some discussions. Atul and Jishnu were talking to each other. Rohan, James and Azhar were discussing as well. The atmosphere had become a lot more thoughtful for many who knew about ambitions;it seemed dull for the ones who didn't know much about ambitions;some of them had a mixed feeling, especially the ones whose parents always spoke of them being doctors and engineers.

 Anne teacher interrupted them for a while "Ambitions are your long term goals. They are aspirations. You should be living to achieve them and that will make you a successful person. This is the time for you to start thinking about ambitions. They give us ideas on how to lead our life, plan your future. So i want all of you to decide on your ambitions" she continued "As a young child my ambition was to become a teacher. I was inspired by my grandma who was a great teacher of her times. As a kid i grew up seeing her as a teacher and said to myself that i would be a teacher as well. I took her as an inspiration. And now i am a teacher. I have been teaching for 20 years. I love what i am doing and that makes me happy". 

Not every child in the class understood her conversation fully. But then they recognized the importance of the term 'ambition' and that is just what Anne teacher wanted, despite knowing that they are too young for the challenges ahead she put forward them, that is why Anne teacher is different, different from the rest. She was one who wanted the children to be practical and know the realities of life. "So now let us start from Aashik". Aashik got up quick, he is among the ones who understood a bit of what Anne teacher spoke of, a fatty in himself he is very fond of wrestling and so it didn't take him much longer to say "Miss i want to be a wrestle-man. I want to be like " and sat. The rest of the class had a mixed feeling, Anne miss had a gentle smile. She always expected such answers from them, but as time goes by she knew it would change. But the ones who stay static in their childhood ambitions were more probable to succeed. "Its not wrestle-man Aashik, a person who wrestles is called a wrestler, w-r-e-s-t-l-e-r" she spelled it.

All the young minds were curious and excited to announce their ambitions, Rohan the cricket lover wanted to be "Sachin". "Rohan you can better Sachin, i am sure. But Sachin would be your inspiration" Anne miss said knowing Rohans passion for cricket even at this age. There were many who wanted to be cricketers. "I want to be a soldier" was Jishnu's answer. Anne miss was happy to hear that. "I want to fight for my country like my uncle" he continued.Jishnus uncle is a martyr, there was patriotism in his words. The whole class applauded Jishnu, Anne miss was the first one. And post Jishnu a few others also wanted to be soldiers and Anuj the son of a police personnel wanted to be a policeman. Many wanted to be doctors and engineers as well, just one footballer. Among girls "I want to be a teacher like you" gained the majority. Anne miss always seemed delighted hearing that. All this while Atul was listening to his friends and their ambitions. Atul hadn't decided on his ambition yet. "I will answer tomorrow miss" was his sincere reply, the thoughtful look in his eyes meant he hadn't decided and so Anne miss accepted his plea. "Alright Atul, tell us tomorrow". She knew that unlike other children Atul made firm plans and hence he took his time.

Anne miss's class got over by then, the rest of the day was not as interesting as hers except for the P.T period they had. P.T periods were always fun, they enjoyed jogging around the ground, the exercises and playing some outdoor games as well. And at the end of the day they bid bye to all their classmates, set of for their homes. Atul had decided to talk to his dad and mom about his ambition, he knew that they would be able to help him. He was confused, he wanted to be someone who could do good for the community. His dad always spoke of bad people ruling our nation, he wanted to be someone good among that bad and then turn the bad guys into good. He wanted to be the different among the usual.

He was keen to get back home, but that didn't bury the thoughts on the boy who could not afford ambitions, who had to work for his parents at this young age. Atul's eyes were searching for his unknown friend, the friend whom he feels sorry for, the friend whom he considers unlucky, the friend who is responsible. And he saw him, he felt great. Atul looked at the boy with respect, he was keen to know if that friend of his ever noticed him, but the poor kid was busy at work. Atul smiled hoping it would reach his friend. The rest of the journey was the same thoughtful one for Atul. He was eager to get back home and talk to his parents. His dad gets back home an hour after Atul, mom is the home-maker. So Atul always had the company of his mom, but he wanted both of them together to hear him,  play with him, talk to him. His mom was anxiously waiting for her sons arrival. As soon as the boy reached his place, Atul bid bye to his bus mates and got down.

His mom was happy to receive her son, her lone day at the house gets a bail when he is around and that always makes her happy. That is always the among the most happy things for every parent, to see their children around and seeing them happy. Atul was happy in his world. He held his mom's hand and took her back home, seemed as if he is her caretaker, it was a nice scene to watch. They got back home and finished his evening chores like having snacks and freshening up and stuffs and was anxiously waiting for his dad to arrive. Finally his dad arrived, Atul was excited. He gave his dad some time to relax after his busy office schedule. Then he went to the kitchen and held his mom's hand and brought her to the hall, that was where his dad was having his cup of tea. " Dad i want to talk about my ambition" Atul said.

(Will be continued)

A minor's Intellections

/*Hi i am trying my hand at a little of story writing and this is the initial step. Its just a fiction, hope you like it. Please do leave your suggestions and comments on this, this story might not be a good one but with your suggestions i can definitely improve on this skill. And the story seem to take a lot of time and space, hence i would post a single chapter at a time. Please do go through... Rahul */

Chapter-1

The little boy slyly got up from the bed, he had not slept well all night. Even at the tender age of 6 he has been thinking about his future and everything that he has been doing all day long, he could sense the recursive way of life of his. He found his parents awake so early in the day, "They slept even lesser than me" the boy said to himself. 

He busily ran to his dad and greeted him, then asked his dad "Dad, did you not sleep well?". His dad was not so surprised by this question since the boy never got up so early, "I did sleep well son, its just that am used to getting up early" said the dad to his son and started reading the newspaper again.

 "Oh, so i slept lesser than dad" thought the boy. Then he turned to his dad "Dad i could not sleep well, i want to know few things please help me dad". This time around dad gave his full attention to his son and was listening to him patiently, "Dad i want to know the reason why i need to go to school and study", dad was rather puzzled at this question and he thought for a while and then answered "Son you need to take care of yourself after few years and for that you need to study well and get a job".

Son was nettled by the answer, the other day he had seen a young boy of his age working at a garage "Why is it that he is not going to school for studying?" he had asked himself this question then and since then he has been busy over this thought. He asked the same question to his friends and they found no good answer, so he has come to his dad. He asked the same to his dad, here again dad took his time to answer and then said "He must have been really poor and his parents might not be in a position to afford his education, so he has taken up the task of working in the garage and look after his family". 

Son was again into his world of thoughts and left the place without saying anything to his dad, dad could sense this from his son's face and so didn't interrupt him either. The child went about his daily chores with little care, he had forgotten to make his morning prayers as well which he used to do everyday right after he woke up, he had taken more of tooth paste than he normally did and half of it had fallen into the wash-basin without him noticing it, he spent more time under the shower thinking till his mom knocked the door and called him, "Monu it is getting late for you, come out soon" called out his mom. He quickly finished his bath and came out. Yes, at this young age children don't really tend to know the value of time and that responsibility is always entrusted on their mom, same was his case that day.

His mom could very much infer that her son is unusually careless that day, she had to persuade him to get his things done. She had to comb his hair and feed him while he was wearing his shoes and taking his books since it was already late. "Sorry Amma, i was really slow today" he said to his mom when she was accompanying him to the bus-stop. She responded with a smile and he smiled back. They were just about there when the bus had come, he waved his hands at his mom. He didn't sit at his regular place and rather at another seat because that was where he was sitting when he saw that kid working at that garage yesterday evening. "I will see him today also, poor boy" he thought. But that was too early for the garage to start and so to his disappointment he couldn't see the boy, and he had missed many of the things he noticed everyday on his way to school, he missed to notice the traffic police who managed the traffic with his actions, he forgot to watch the big-boys practicing cricket at the ground, he even forgot to wave hands at his friends mom but just when his friend got in and the bus started to leave he ran towards the rear end and waved at her, she also smiled and waved back. 

(Rest in the next post)