- Intro
The rise of New Media particularly the Internet over the past two decades has forever changed the face of film.[1] New ways have been developed to view, produce, and even distribute film, which would have seemed like science fiction 30 years ago. This has lead to some real upsides such as streaming video helping to get lesser known or forgotten filmmakers exposed to the wider world; it also may help many realize the importance of all the members of the crew on a film not just the director. The use of hyperlinks allows us to seamlessly combine a text discussing a film with clips of the film or even the film in its entirety.
New Media can also have some serious negative impacts upon film. Roy Rosenzweig and Mark Twain both warned that an abundance of material can often lead to a few works on limited quality becoming ones which eclipse all others in terms of visibility.[2] Twitter has meant instant publicity for films along with instant criticism. Roland Barthes’ concerns regarding the difference between the biography of an artist an their work are still just as valid.[3] Wikipedia and countless other sites have guaranteed that many film fans, students, and professionals can know everything about the lives of a films crew and stars before the film even premieres. However because it is now possible to know the biography and Oeuvre of nearly every single crewmember the time of death for the Auteur may be close at hand.
What does the future hold? Well in all likelihood most of the methods we are using today such as the auteur theory may very soon seem irrelevant. Film fans, students as well as aspiring filmmakers are now in a position where it becomes truly possible to understand the real scope of film. We can now view and be aware of just how many films exist all around the world. Even more important is that it is now possible to show just how many people are required to make a film possible; it also easier than ever to explain to a layperson what each of these jobs do. Film will continue to evolve as each new technology emerges, however new media has changed film forever in specific way which I hope to share with all who read this blog.
Now before you begin to read one quick favor, check out the hyperlinks! A large portion of what I am writing about discusses the impact of being able to read about a film and see the film at the same time. I’ve done my best to set up this blog so that you can do both and I sincerely hope that you will.
[1] Ayers, Edward L. The Pasts and Futures of Digital History, http://www.vcdh.virginia.edu/PastsFutures.html retrieved 12/08/2010
[2] Vaidhyanthan, Siva, Copyrights and Copywrongs, New York University Press 2003, pgs 55-80
[3] Barthes, Roland, The Death of the Author http://www.ubu.com/aspen/aspen5and6/threeEssays.html#barthes, retrieved 12/08/210
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