This is part of a series about the first decade of the twenty-first century, also known as the Zero Decade or zerodec. Text from DJCline.com.
Film
Ten years ago I attended film festivals and reviewed movies in theaters. Sundance and other events seemed to be more about making good distribution deals than good movies. The rise of high quality DVDs and independent film cable channels meant I could see more films whenever I wanted. The rise of high speed internet connections meant I could download and review them even faster. Lower production costs and better special effects meant telling more interesting stories not tailored for a mass audience.
The medium is no longer the message. What happened over the last ten years is the slow death of media formats and the rise of content. The old days of seeing a movie in the theater then video then cable then broadcast are gone, replaced by digital downloads. The future? It won’t be 3D, but it films will continue to look more like computer generated video games. Film is now merely one profitable part of a brand where you read the book, see the movie, and play the online game. Your content must translate into other channels to be profitable.
A good story remains good no matter how it is told. I have seen Homer’s Odyssey performed around a fireplace, translated into books, plays, film and games. I expect to see the old story in new ways.
Copyright 2009 DJ Cline All rights reserved.