Now Showing!
Watch a special virtual double feature of "GIS in the Movies and TV" Part I and II
November TBA - Save the Date
Presenter: Gene Del Greco, GISP and West Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionals (WVAGP)
Moderator: Josh Revels, The Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Facility Education Resource Center (ERC)
Short GIS After Talk: Barbara MacLennan, Fairmont State University, WVAGP and Frank LaFone, WVAGP, WVGISTC, co-host VerySpatial
History of GIS in Movies and TV Part I: A look at the history of GIS in Film and Television
Where was the first place you saw GIS or GPS? Was it in high school or college, or maybe in a newscast? Think harder. Chances are that you might have caught your first glimpse of these technologies in movies and on television, perhaps even before they were invented. Since the early 20th century movies and television have been portraying GIS and geospatial systems. From map tracking devices in James Bond to police station maps plotting criminal activity to sci-fi futurescapes where every piece of information is spatially modeled (and available by talking to a voice-enabled computer). This presentation will provide a historical look at how GIS technologies have been presented in the past in both film and television.
GIS in the Movies Reflection
Some reflective questions after watching a movie or TV show:
Do films show a realistic view of the future? The past? Today?
"You can map your life through your favorite movies, and no two people's maps will be the same." Mary Schmich
Pop Culture Maps
The Goonies: One-Eye'd Willy's Treasure Map (Instructables)
How to Make an 80s Movie Map? (ESRI)
CineMaps (Andrew DeGraff)
Drones in Hollywood: How Drones Changed the Film & Movie Industry
Your favorite pop culture map
Did you know that the Goonies Treasure Map is the favorite of Fairmont State University geography students?
Our Favorite Maps, Fairmont State University Geography Students (2021)