Uses of Digital Technology

The use of digital technology & the internet is a key topic in your upcoming institution & audience exam.

Try to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using digital technology & internet in the production, distribution,  marketing, and release (exhibition/consumption) of films in the UK today.

1.     http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/distribution/distribution7.html

2.     http://screenrant.com/christopher-nolan-interstellar-digital-vs-film/

3.     http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304887104579306440621142958

4.     http://www.afieldinengland.com/masterclass/post-production/a-digital-world/

5.     http://www.film4.com/film4-productions/innovation-at-film4

Production:

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Shooting digitally (not using film)	-       Cheaper (doesn’t require film) -       Easier -       Quicker to use	-       Some people think film is be of better quality

Distribution:

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Distributing digital copies of the finished film rather than 35mm prints.	-       Less energy and effort is required -       You won’t have to spend as much / any money on distribution
Use of web 2.0 technologies Twitter YouTube Facebook Websites	-       Cheap / Free way of promoting films -       Attract wider audience -       Engages an active audience	-       Negative trends can easily spread as well -
The Internet	-       Place where almost everyone is active and can easily see material about film -	-       If people hear negative things it can spread virally -       Danger of piracy
Other digital content: Apps / Games / Convergent content.	- Engages with audience

Exhibition & Release:

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Digital Projection in cinemas	-       Don’t need projectionist -	-  Projectionist needed in case computer system crashes
Digital Formats such as DVD / Blu-Ray	-       HD Quality copy -       Extra features	- Expensive
Video On Demand (iTunes etc.)	-       Immediate -       Simple -       If you don’t live near a cinema -       Can be used on convergent devices	-       Reliant on good internet access -
Digital TV and multiple channels	- Attract niche audience	- Fragmented audience - Harder to attract and maintain big audience

Practical Task - Feedback on idea

Nick King, a professional editor with over 20 years of experience in the field came in to talk to us on the 8th of December 2014 to discuss our Practical Task opening scene ideas and give his professional opinion on them.

After one of our members, Barney Kleinman presented our idea to King he gave us feed back and recommended us to act on the following:

• To build up tension and drama until the opening titles appears
• To create a vast variety of camera shots from different positions so that when it comes to editing we have multiple choices meaning we can produce the scene to the best standard possible
• To start with a wide shot so that we can establish the scene as a man in messed up flat on the brink of suicide as the audience can seet a tipped over bottle of alcohol and pills spread across the floor

Distribution Questions

What is film distribution?
Distribution is about releasing and sustaining films in the market place.

Who distributes films normally in the UK?
The UK has six major distributors (directly affiliated to the Hollywood studios) and many independent (unaffiliated) distributors who tend to handle films made outside the major studios.

What steps are involved in the steps of film distribution?
Licensing, marketing and logistics.

What are the major decisions made during the marketing of a film?
The marketing of a film release revolves around two key questions: 'When?' and 'How?'. The Distributor has to carefully assess what would be the best time to begin distributing the film based on when competitors are releasing there's etc. and also the best method to use when thinking of how it would appeal to the audience.


What is P&A? And why is it important?
P&A means "Prints and Advertising" and it's a form of distribution through elements such as the quantity and production of release prints and trailers, press materials, clips reels, images, press previews, screener tapes etc.

How is digital technology revolutionising the process of film distribution & marketing?
In distribution terms, the advantages of digital technology are even clearer, though perhaps longer term. Digital technology is seen to offer a more cost effective and logistics-light alternative to the tried and trusted, but unwieldy model of 35mm print distribution described above. It will, eventually, be cheaper and much less stressful to send films as computer files to cinemas across the UK, than to transport 20-25kg tins of film in the back of a van.