"To what extent does internet piracy pose a threat to the film industry?"
The following essay will explore to what extent
internet piracy poses a threat to the film industry. not needed. The first point
that can be determined, is that the rise of piracy has had a negative
impact on Hollywood and the film industry. The main reason being it
loses them money and people are more inclined to stay at home and watch
films. why is this a thrteat to the production of cinema? Reinvest in new film - not quality it is 'Spectacle' = suoperficial films = guaranteed audience, lowest common denominator & won't take risks. In my opinion, a way to look at piracy in a positive light is
that it allows/encourages audiences to view non-mainstream films; with this in
mind, if less people are going to the cinema, the film industry is not
prepared to take risks on new styles/ideas of film. This keeps the production
of films with simplistic and formulaic narratives, excellent disguised through the
use of CGI and special effects. This becomes apparent with ongoing
franchises such as Die Hard and Fast and the Furious, where more films
are made as they have a guaranteed audience. excellent
In order to explore fully the impacts of piracy on the
film industry, a context that must be looked at is technology. The main
technological factor being the resurgence of 3D technology. This can be
seen as an attempt to increase cinema attendance, offering a quality
that can not be received from pirated movies at home. This is on the
basis, sites such as Megaupload can not be used in order to stream and
download movies of a 3D quality, also raising complications for those
who do not own 3D polaroid glasses. Being promoted as an exclusive
experience, the multiplexes have raised the cost of ticket prices and
added the extra cost of glasses, to view a film in 3D. Due to 3D’s use
in multiplexes currently, it is hard for directors not to try and
integrate it into their movies in the hope of them achieving a film that
is successful at the cinema. This could involve changing parts of the
narrative in the movie, in order to incorporate 3D. From the critics
perspective, the main purpose is to make a profit and it doesn’t do much
to improve the standard of the film being made. The critic known as
Mark Kermode also has a fairly negative outlook towards the idea of 3D. All correct & well applied, but now must tie into the 'threat' to the industry question P - E - E?
Another context that can be discussed in relation to
piracy is social context. With people being able to view vast amounts of
films online for free, they develop a greater range of film knowledge
and understanding. Sense of entitlement to free film experience, not aware iof the consequences on future film production & bland, superficial cinema This raises the expectations for films, establishing a
desire for movies that have a more complex narrative and meet the needs
of the postmodern audience. An example of where smaller films have been
released to larger audiences is the film We Need To Talk About Kevin.
The internet acts as a resource to easily gaining access to free films,
without paying anything. A reason why people choose to do this is
because it is more affordable and easier than having to travel to the
closest multiplex for a screening; especially when it can all be done
from the comfort of your own home. The main impact piracy has on the
multiplexes is the decrease in cinema attendance, hence the resurgence
of 3D as previously stated when referring to the technological context. However - argue against - CINE LITERACY - audience are aware of more than just Hollywood output & may become more interested in exciting new things happening in art cinema or foreign film i.e. Ringu, Pans Labrynth, but also UK films such as This Is England etc...
Is the film industry JUST Hollywood - if not do other types of cinema see piracy as the same threat or actually an opportunity to compete for audiences attentions - ie distribution
The final point that the essay will explore is the
economic context relating to piracy. This links strongly with the 3D
technology used, on the basis the studios and directors use a lot of
money in order to incorporate the technology; alongside the multiplexes
which spend money in order to accommodate the technology in their
facilities. This is all done so that it will be economically profitable
in the long run, gaining profit through the rise in ticket prices and
extra costs of glasses. A film that acted as a turning point for most
films now to be filmed in 3D is Avatar. Due to it’s success, films have
begun to stick to the same features, replicating similar plots and
focusing more on being visually pleasing than the narrative. This links
in with the creation of several sequels, on the basis the original film
was successful. In doing this, appeal is also gained through the use of
the same stars and directors.
Again - New directors & talent can practice their skills & upload them, SWEEDing - this is the same technology that allows Piracy to occur - also CINE LITERACY = our future film directors with a good knowledge of film cos its free
no £ investment but IDEAS/CREATIVITY investment
In conclusion, the response by the film industry to
counter the ever growing use of piracy to view films, was the
establishment of 3D. The selling point being it offers a much higher
quality than home videos. In order to meet the expectations of the
audiences now, I believe the film industry should go back to focusing on
making better films with a richer and more risk taking plot, as well as
keeping the audience’s interest not just through making the film
visually pleasing, but intellectually satisfying as well. It is likely
to remain the case however, films will continue to be made in the same
way as it generates profit from a guaranteed audience.
Has a good sense of argument & for the most part answers the question directly.
Strong analysis of the context & how it affects the industry mostly linked to question (not just statements of fact but actually applied & explained with its purpose/affects)
25/30
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