fancy seeing a movie tonight, honey? - yeah, I’ll just check iTunes…
I’ve been reading a lot recently about using the internet to distribute movies. It is said that the next revolution in distributing films to audiences is through their laptops and home computers. With sites like iTunes now offering downloadable feature films and TV shows at a cost, does anyone really want to see a film on their computer?
I understand that there are positives to this. I’m an independent filmmaker currently striving to step up to the studio film. I’m not afraid or embarrassed by saying that I’m a storyteller for the mainstream. I want as many people as possible to see and enjoy my movies. I want the cinema release. Unfortunately, times are changing. With making films becoming cheaper and easier than ever (okay, quality dramatically differs!) more and more independent films are being made each year all diluting the marketplace and scrambling to become the next JUNO, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, ONCE or BLAIR WITCH PROJECT with a cinematic release. Don’t get me wrong, I love independent film. I make them. I encourage people to make them.
But, how do we get people to see them? Now thats the question. In this respect, the internet is the perfect place. You get your movie on iTunes (other internet cinemas are available! ;) ), you distribute it yourself as a digital download through your own website. You make money and make another. Great! The internet is apparently the future of watching movies.
Frankly, I’d hate it if my movie was released through the internet first. This is obviously a very relevant subject for me at the moment as my latest feature THE BUTTERFLY TATTOO (plug! plug!) is currently bouncing between studios and sales agents screaming out for someone to just sign a cheque for it. I’m waiting because I want people to see it. The actors are waiting because they need a platform to continue their acting careers. The investors are waiting for their pennies back. Then why not just sell it through iTunes?
Because I shot a movie and not an internet video. There is a distinct difference in terms of shooting style and experience. I want people to immerse themselves in the story and the characters. They should be drawn into the world of the story for the ninety minutes with their full attention. I don’t want audiences to be able to pause, fast-forward, stop, get distracted or sit their waiting for it to buffer at a pivotal moment. If the internet becomes a viable mainstream distribution model in the future then it will affect the ways that films are shot and the way we, as directors, tell stories… and that will be a sorry state of affairs.
For example, the iPod nano with it’s 2 inch video screen enables people to actually watch a movie on this tiny scale! Seriously, who’d want to do that? Is this the future of cinema for the masses? If it is, it would dramatically effect the way in which films are shot if they’re heading for an internet release.
OK, maybe I’m jumping the gun a little but look at the whole aspect-ratio mess. A lot of movies are broadcast on television in 16:9 or (even worse) 4:3 meaning half of the picture is cut off to compensate for different televisions. Half! Mr or Mrs Pan-And-Scan inventor, you should be shot! Thats not how I shot or lit the movie. Does this mean they’ll invent a frame size format to crop to for internet releases?
…and what about sound? If you’re a good filmmaker, you know that the mix is as important (sometimes more so!) than your shots and performance. I spent two months in the audio suite for THE BUTTERFLY TATTOO with some amazing technicians tailoring the way in which the sound helps and adds to the story. To have that played through somebody’s laptop speakers is a real joke …and don’t get me starting on grading and monitor calibrations. DoP’s will be having a heart attack!
Downloads are all well and good for a movie you’ve probably seen in the same way in which you buy a DVD. But to release a movie first on the internet is definitely - in my opinion - not an option. “Fancy seeing a movie tonight, honey?” “Yeah, I’ll see what’s on iTunes”. What ever happened to going out to see a movie? Then again… what happened to simple phone calls as everyone texts. And what happened to making real friends rather than virtual ones on Facebook?
- Philm
