Discuss issues arising out of the lecture particularly why Hollywood is having so much trouble adapting to the rise of the internet. For it 116 year history, cinema has depended on technological change for its existence and then for the new developments (colour, sound, TV, recorders, 3D, VHS, DVD, CGI) that have kept the format fresh and interesting to audiences who can quickly become jaded. What makes the internet different? Is downloading killing Hollywood or could it be the path to new beginnings?
The internet has allowed easier access to films for the everyday person. Whether this is a good or bad thing for Hollywood films is unsure. The positives of the internet being involved with films are that, it makes it a lot easier to market films to a greater audience. Rather than wait for something to come into cinemas for people to hear about it they can now be advertised on line and with such websites like YouTube. it is also now easy to watch the trailer of movies and builds anticipation for the audience to when this film will come out. As Michael masciono states in his article 'Transforming filmmaking through crowd sourcing', 'Crowd sourcing is playing a more significant role in the development and marketing of certain kinds of films, especially independent and short films, driven by dramatically changing conditions in the independent film world.' Crowd sourcing has broad potential in filmmaking. It will likely have greater value in testing films with audiences, and it may contribute to the release of a greater variety of film versions on different platforms.
On the other side of things the internet has also allowed a person to download films online for free which leads to massive losses in the profit of the film industry. Traditional Hollywood films are also now being undermined by amateur films that are being released online for free for people to download. Not to mention that the internet has allowed anyone to upload their film and claim that they are now a film maker taking away the importance of it from classical Hollywood film directors.
Another clear example of how the internet can assist in getting your name known, as a film maker, is the film ‘The Tunnel’. Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey had a great idea to pay for the creation of their film via user donations. Once this occurred and the film had been made they released the film online for free. As stated by Ed Gibbs in his article ‘The Tunnel: going viral’, ‘then they would sell a special edition DVD off the back of the publicity, and screen the film at select theatres and special events.’ This was a great success and created a whole new side to the internet and its connection to the film industry.
Mascioni, M. (2010). Internet Evolution: Transforming Filmmaking through Crowdsourcing. http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=709&doc_id=190970
Gibbs, E. (2011). The Tunnel: Going Viral. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/the-tunnel-going-viral-20110523-1f0b2.html
(Viewed 4th Sep 2011)
(Viewed 4th Sep 2011)
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