- hardware=equipment
- content=films
- media=film
- Positive
- CGI
- IMAX
- high resolution
- need to adapt to survive
- 3/4d
- content
- Negative
- effects of piracy
- decrease in cinema viewing due to alternatives
- overcoming piracy
- phasing out DVD and BLU-Rays
- common release day
- couldn't have films being recorded then sent to someone else from a different country
- Both
- using different equipment e.g. using phones, for indie films
- technical convergence
- streaming service e.g. Netflix and Hollywood collapse
Essay
The increase in hardware due to the advancements in technology has caused differences that have been shown in the making of movies. This refers to the equipment used in order to make the film in terms of the camera type, but also refers to the ways in which the movie is being exhibited, for example through streaming in comparison to the cinema. The content in question is the consummation of film which have had major fluctuations in terms of how this form of media is being consumed.
Firstly, there is the introduction of various methods of creating movies, such as the use of CGI and high resolution IMAX. CGI stands for computer generated image, which is the use of computers in order to create an image on the screen that appears real. An example of this would be from the movie the revenant whereby a bear, who is actually a man in a suit, is shown attacking the protagonist. This had been out into a computer then edited so that it looked very realistic. Furthermore, is the development of IMAX. This stands for image maximum and requires filming to be done with a camera that can film in 18,000 lines of horizontal resolution in 65mm film as opposed to the conventional 6,000 lines of horizontal resolution in 35mm film that is used for normal cinematic film. This higher level of quality is more appealing to watch due to the fact that the element of realism created within the film is further elevated enabling the audience to get a better feel for the realism of the film. Both of these factors have allowed the audience for film viewing to increase due to the quality of the movie being better therefore the sentiment derived from the aim of the scene is more effective. In addition, the advancements in technology has created a need to 'adapt to survive'. For example, the introduction of Netflix late 2010 meant that people had more ways of consuming media and therefore the company was growing in market share due to its accessibility. As a result of this, movies and TV series have been shown only releasing on Netflix due to the high market share that they have. This also creates less of a scope for aspects such as piracy to have a major effect on the film due to the controlled secure environment that Netflix operates under. The viewing experience for customers has also needed to increase, done easily by the use of technology. The introduction of 3D and 4D technology in order to maximise the viewing experience of the people has resulted in a completely different way to view cinematic material, therefore sales because of it have elevated expediently. Moreover, the use of media outlets like YouTube has meant that content that is being produced is changing dramatically. For example, there is now a job role of a YouTuber which is a fully paying job whereby YouTubers create content targeted at a specific market segment in order to gain views, likes and subscribers. An example of this would be a woman names Lily Singh. Her channel Superwoman in 8 years has over 8 million subscribers and she has been listed as one of the most influential teens 2015. This is an aspect of media that would never have existed without the advancements in technology and brings a completely different type of content to the world of media for viewers to enjoy.
However, there are also negative effects that have been introduced with the advancements of technology, most potent is that of piracy. Piracy is the illegal copying of a media that a person doesn't have the rights to, for example, recording a film that is being shown at the cinema. With advancements in technology, the internet right now is more accessible than ever, therefore methods of obtaining material illegally has been made much easier, as has the ways in which illegal material had been created. Websites that allow free streaming of movies and TV series are operating on the basis of illegal content that is being given to the public. Most companies are aiming to combat the level of piracy that their movie encounters. One method of this would be altering the way in which distribution takes place. For example, some companies are choosing to phase out DVDs and BLU-Rays due to the fact that they are easily copied and therefore are able to be distributed to streaming websites illegally. Another method would be the use of encoding. Along with the advancements in technology comes the advancements in security. This would involve encrypting the DVD or Blu-Ray so that the content on the dick is only accessible when put into a DVD or Blu-Ray player respectively. This limits the amount of access that people have to copy the content on the disk. Furthermore, another method that had proved to be effective would be having a common release day across different countries. This way films can’t be copied and sent to other countries before it is officially released in that country. If this happens the person who released the film in the first place would take all of the distribution revenue that the film company would’ve had when releasing the film in this country. Piracy in turn has had an effect on the declination of people that go to the cinema due to the accessibility of media. Whether it be on a phone, tablet, computer or any other portable device, which is an example of technological proliferation, people are able to gain access to the internet and therefore streaming websites that allow them to consume media illegally without the need for purchase.
However, there have also been factors that have proven to have both beneficial and detrimental effects on the media industry. For example, indie film producers aren’t able to afford high tech or IMAX camera in order to produce high quality films for their audiences, therefore, in the case of indie film 'Tangerine', footage for a film has solely been filmed using as iPhone. This an example of technological convergence due to the iPhone primarily being used to make calls and send text messages has now been used for its camera feature technology to create this film.
In conclusion, the media industry has benefitted greatly from the advancements in technology, due to improvements in quality and the creation of new ways of consuming media for audiences. However, these advancements have come at a risk due to the birth of piracy and effects that could have detrimental effects to Hollywood.
A very good post here well done,
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