Q1.Where and when did usable online video start? (provide some refs. and an example if possible)
A) The first version of QuickTime was released in 1991 (the apple museum, Timeline of Apple Quick Time, viewed 20/08/10, http://www.theapplemuseum.com/index.php?id=41), but it was not really usable online as the CPU of the computer was very small and the internet bandwidth was still limited. In 1995, Xing Technology Corporation developed Stream Works, and it was the first on-demand audio/video delivery system over the internet (Streaming Media, viewed 20/08/10, http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/imperium/timeline.html). But the real online video era started with the birth of YouTube. The first YouTube video was posted on April 23, 2005, featured Jawad Karim, co-founder of the YouTube, standing at a zoo. (Alleyne, R. 2008, YouTube: Overnight success has sparked a backlash, Daily Telegraph, viewed 20/08/10, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2480280/YouTube-Overnight-success-has-sparked-a-backlash.html)
Q2.In the lecture we heard about technological innovations that were used by the studios to lure audiences. (mostly to combat the popularity of TV)
What recent innovations are being used to lure us in the movies?
What are they luring us from?
A) When people see something very funny on the internet, they start sending it on to friends and family. This is sometimes called "viral" as it is very easy to attach it to an Email. Many studios started taking advantage of this phenomenon, and start creating funny introductory videos about their products/shows/movies. They are luring us from mass audience or even just our daily routines.
Q3.Are short films still being made? Why? Who pays for them to be made?
A) Short films are cheaper and easier to make, so they are still very popular for many independent film makers and amateurs. But the big studios are also creating short films, such as Pixar. There are many awards for short films including the Academy Awards, Berlin International Film Festival, and Cannes Festival (Short Films Awards Festivals List, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, viewed 20/08/10, http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/rules/shortsfestivals.html). Since YouTube made watching videos online easier and very popular, the demand of the short films are growing bigger. Not many people are interested watching short films at film festivals, but people do not mind watching them online, as it is so easy and convenient. It is still hard to find someone who is willing to pay for infamous film makers, but the opportunity is huge now, and once they become popular online, it is not impossible to find a sponsor.
Q4.The term viral is thrown about adhoc but what does it mean in film/movie arena? Give some examples.
A) I remember when The Blair Witch Project became so popular throughout the internet in 1999. The producers of the movie created a website to give an impression to the audience that this is a real documentary film, and people started passing the link through MySpace and Email. It was the one of most sucessful viral marketing ploys of the movie industry.
Q5. Online video distribution isn't limited to the short film format. We are now starting to see television styled shows made solely for internet release (webisodes). Find an example of this style of content and discuss how viewing television content in this way can positively and negatively affect the viewer's experience.
A) I found some perfect examples! The webisodes from my favourite show, Grey's Anatomy. ABC.com released 6 part short webisode series ' Seattle Grace: On Call' in 2009. (Seattle Grace: On Call, Part 1, abc.com, viewed 20/08/10, http://abc.go.com/watch/clip/greys-anatomy/SH007322830000/PL5520972/VD5528359/seattle-grace-on-call-part-1/interns,webisodes)
It is a great idea to give more opportunities to show more content to the Grey's Anatomy fans. There are some people that love watching all the special contents of the DVD movies/TV shows after watching the main story (like me!), so this type of special episode will definately satisfy the fans. On the other hand, these webisodes are still not in great shape, I feel like. For example, this Grey's Anatomy webisodes are not showing the main characters of the show, and this obviously made it cheaper. It is OK quality, but not as good as the TV shows. This disapoints the audience, and might affect it negatively.
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This is all for the week. Have a lovely weekend!
Cheers!
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