The Future Of Movie Making: What You See Is What You Internet

The internet is the inevitable way forward. Devolution not revolution.

The rise of the Independent film-maker against cinema’s Goliath (Hollywood) has been held up by the huge costs involved in commissioning, producing and distributing high-quality films. However, significant progress made in digital technology means that prohibitive cost need no longer be an obstacle to future independent film-makers. Devolution Digital (www.devolutionfilms.com) is a new website that was launched during this year’s MIPCOM event in Cannes and provides a platform for budding scriptwriters to upload their scripts onto a global medium to be rated and possibly selected to be made into high-quality feature length films using inexpensive digital filming, production and distribution methods. If you are a budding film maker without a budget then Devolution Digital could see your script made into a commercial success.

The founder of Devolution Digital, Graeme Ballard, explained that his vision for the site was simple – “The internet and advances in digital technology mean that ordinary people, wherever they are and whatever their background, can upload their stories, scripts and home-made movies and show them to the world. Devolutionfilms.com is designed to attract and identify the very best scripts from around the world and to then turn these into potentially award-winning independent features at a tiny fraction of typical Hollywood production costs. For those people who think they might just be the next Stephen Spielberg, or perhaps a new Pedro Almodovar, Devolutionfilms.com is their best chance of being discovered.”

There are three straightforward steps to the Devolutionfilms.com process. First, people that join the site will be able to judge and vote for scripts they and others upload, and they will also be able to suggest changes to storylines and make amendments to scripts, rather like on the hugely popular fanfiction sites (see fanfiction.net). Devolution Digital also employs a team of experienced staff writers to help with the judging process and to assist in maintaining the quality of the scripts submitted by the public. Once the scripts have been judged by the public and staff writers, then the process of turning winning scripts into feature films or a series of shorts can begin – using entirely digital technology. (Here of course the normal tax incentives for film-making will apply which helps to drive down the costs further.)

The final stage is to distribute the finished films or shorts on mobile tv platforms, 3G, the internet and DVD using Devolution’s own digital presence and that of its strategic partners, such as the telcos and existing internet content distributors.

One of the significant advantages of this model is that investors in movie production who are not normally able to invest in large capital expenditure films can spread their risk over a portfolio of smaller-budget movies being marketed and filmed concurrently.

Digital film production – further background

The development of technologies such as HDV, (a new recording format that allows for High Definition footage to be recorded onto standard MiniDV cassettes), and advances in editing software and compression makes the whole filmmaking process refreshingly affordable (think Greg Harrison’s award winning Thriller November and Blair Witch Project) yet still maintains a high quality picture.

The increase in interest in User Generated Content media sites such as MySpace and YouTube greatly assist in Devolution Digital’s inexpensive production and distribution methods. Success of online ‘soaps’ such as Bebo’s new hit phenomenon ‘Kate Modern’, indicates that young consumers are adapting their viewing habits and are open to viewing lengthy content online. The statistics also support this idea: in 1980 box office sales made up 55% of a film’s revenues, yet now represents only 15%, largely because of the rise of VHS then DVD. Some 25 years on, YouTube now reaches more of the 18-24 male market than MTV, and Harris Interactive found that 32% of frequent YouTube users say they watch less television.

As long as picture quality is maintained, the opportunity to watch films on video iPods and mobile phones has been welcomed by consumers who are able to download content directly from the internet. With under 25’s being the assumed prime mobile consumer, research is beginning to indicate that an older group of innovators feel just as comfortable with modern technology, and those over 50 are also a growing demographic in the digital mix. Such users actively seek out the content they want to watch on their mobile devices and currently there seems to be a serious gap between what they expect from their video mobiles and what the market is currently offering them. Carmen Menegazzi, former head of Columbia TriStar (UK) emphasises that “the ease of use and title availability will make internet distribution the winner in the next decade.” Every single advance is on the independent moviemaker’s side who can access a platform to make the most of these modern advances with the help of Devolution Digital.