Week 4 - Tute Task

This week for the Tute-task we must answer the following questions:

1.Where and when did usable online video start? (provide some refs. and an example if possible)

A: Youtube's official birthday is Feb 14th 2005, however the first video uploaded on it was on April 23rd 2005 and was shot by Yakov Lapitsky, it was titled 'Me at the Zoo' and featured one of YouTube’s founders, Jawed Karim, at the San Diego Zoo.

Here is the link to view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNQXAC9IVRw

Here is another link to some information on online videos history:

http://dembot.com/post/310798115/a-decade-in-history-of-online-video

2.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?

A: There are tons of different ways movie marketing experts are using to lure us to the movies, however one of the most recent ways is via the internet.

When the first movie trailer is released an official website promoting the movie usually follows it which allows visitors multiple ways of viewing the trailer, as well as behind the scenes interviews, mini-documentaries, read plot synopses, download cell-phone ring tones and desktop wallpapers, play games, chat in forums and even pre-order tickets. However this is just the start of their internet marketing strategy. For more information visit the following link:

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/movie-marketing2.htm

What are they luring us from?

A: Perhaps the recent release of 3D TV is the latest problem movie marketers face in luring us away from our TV screens e.g. -  http://www.dlp.com/hdtv/dlp-features/3d-hdtv.aspx.

Another common problem is also the threat of illegally downloaded pirated movies from the internet. More than a third of Australians admit they either illegally download movies off the internet or have thought about doing so. http://www.news.com.au/technology/third-of-australians-admits-they-download-movies-illegally/story-e6frfro0-1225786870239.

However despite all these potential blockbuster killers, movie sales are still strong.

This may be because at the end of the day going to the movies still has not entirely been replaced by TV. There is nothing that can compare to the sound, size, and atmosphere of the big screen, not to mention that the newest releases are displayed in better quality than any pirated movie downloaded from the net.


3. Are short films still being made? 

A: Of course short films are still being made. The evidence is all over the internet.

HERE IS AN FUNNY EXAMPLE OF A SHORT FILM:



Who pays for them to be made?

A: You have to have a rich client who pays you to make a short film... To be part of that world, you need to have a track record of making great short films.

Why do they do it?

A:  Getting down to earth, those who make short films do it:

 --For love, not money.

--As a contemporary form of dynamic self-expression; in the old days you were stuck with writing short stories and articles, and submitting photographs for publication. (However, even though "short" it takes a group of dedicated individuals, a team, to make a memorable short film; exceptions to this are rare.)

--To get experience in all aspects of film-making to prepare them for making long films or for getting paid jobs in the industry.

--To submit to film fests and contests, to win modest monetery awards and get buzzed by cool non-monetery awards (e.g., Audience Best Award), and maybe to be discovered.

--To spend all the money they made when engaged in doing other creative and non-creative commercial video work, e.g., events, infomercials, local commercials (all satisfying in their own way; and paying well if you are organized and business savvy and charge what you are worth...)

Here is the link http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/short-films


4.The term viral is thrown about adhoc but what does it mean in film/movie arena? Give some examples.

A viral video is one that becomes popular by being shared online, generally through video websites and email. They usually contain humour and special visual effects. The difference between a typical viral video and a viral video in the film/movie arena is that a general viral video is usually an unknown person doing something really silly and posting it on Youtube, compared to a directed and produced short film that has gone viral.

Here is a mix of typical 2008 viral videos edited together to create a single video:


Here is an example of a viral video made for the film/movie arena:


5. 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 webisode is a short episode which airs initially as Internet television, either download or stream as opposed to first airing on broadcast or cable television. The format can be used as a preview, a promotion, as part of a collection of shorts, or a commercial. A webisode can be part of an already established drama or series or it may consist of entirely original material. Depending on its purpose, the webisode may or may not be considered a part of an established program's continuity.

When using the internet to watch a movie or webisode our attention span is shorter than if we were watching TV. This is because we have more control of what we want to watch. Whereas if we are watching TV at home and there is nothing interesting on any channel, we still find ourselves watching one of the channels. This may be due to the tendency to relax when sitting in front of the TV.

Here is a link to watch webisodes of 'Heroes', which is also a popular TV show.

http://www.nbc.com/heroes/Webisodes/