A Rough Sketch for a Proposed Film Dealing with the Powers of Ten and the Relative Size of things in the Universe

Powers of Ten: A Rough Sketch for a Proposed Film Dealing with the Powers of Ten and the Relative Size of the Universe is a concept that investigates the idea of an exponential series. This is done by illustrating the relative size of things and the significance of adding a zero to any number: thus, the powers of ten. It begins with a scene on Earth, at a Florida golf course, and then the camera steadily moves away until it reaches the edge of the known universe. As it moves back again to Earth, it continues toward where it began and goes further, reaching to the level of a carbon atom. Music by Elmer Bernstein.

Eight minutes

1968

The 1977 Powers of Ten was an expanded and updated version of this 1968 study film, which can also be considered a model for the final film.  This features a linear view of our universe from the human scale to the sea of galaxies, then directly down to the nucleus of a carbon atom.  With images, narration, and a dashboard, it gives a clue to the relative size of things and what it means to add another zero to any number.

Music by Elmer Bernstein.

8 minutes.  Color.

A linear view of our universe from the human scale to the sea of galaxies, then directly down to the nucleus of a carbon atom. With an image, a narration, and a dashboard, it gives a clue to the relative size of things and what it means to add another zero to any number. Music by Elmer Bernstein.

1968
The 1977 film, Powers of Ten, was an expanded and updated version of this 1968 study film. Charles and Ray often gave projects long titles to indicate that they were still exploring their ideas—that the presentation was a model or a type of “sketch.” 
A Rough Sketch features a linear view of our universe from the human scale to the sea of galaxies, then directly down to the nucleus of a carbon atom. With images, narration, and a dashboard, it gives a clue to the relative size of things and what it means to add another zero to any number.  
You can learn more about the importance of Powers-of-Ten Thinking by clicking here.
Music by Elmer Bernstein.

8 minutes.  Color.