Digital technologies such as digital video, computer generated imagery, digital distribution and projection are impacting the film industry. There are advantages for filmmakers in cheaper production costs and increased realism. Distributors benefit from lower storage and duplication costs of digital formats. Audiences have easier access through online distribution and user generated content. However, some disadvantages are a potential loss of image quality for institutions and increased piracy risks for distributors from the digitization of the industry. Maintaining the theatrical experience as superior to online or home viewing is seen as important to established industry players.

1. DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGIES AND
FILM
Impact of Digital Video

2. Technology affecting film today...
 Digital and hi-def video (and digital editing)
 Computer generated images –
animation, motion capture
 Digital distribution via internet
 Digital projection
 IMAX
 DVD and Blu Ray

3. Advantages for Filmmakers
• Cheaper production (DV tape is cheap, easier
to light a scene etc.)
• Realism
• Naturalistic performances – Danny Boyle and
28 Days Later

4. Advantages for Distributors
• Celluloid film deteriorates very quickly – digital
storage is cheaper and more effective
• Easy to duplicate
• Easy to distribute – directly from net or on tape
where it can be digitally projected
In 2001 Philip Anschutz said that if cinemas
swapped from film to digital it would save $800
billion in distribution costs.

5. Advantages for Audiences
• Increased realism of performance – ‘emotional
honesty’ of a story
• Cheaper production = wider range of film
styles, themes and content
• Easier to access – via web; YouTube, illegal
sites and licensed vendors
• Become producers themselves – a good
concept can be shot, edited and posted on line
for very little money (bypassing old structure of
industry)

6. Disadvantages for Institutions
• Poorer quality image – not as much depth of
field, colours aren’t as vivid, detail on costume
etc. unclear
• $300 million to convert cinemas to digital
projection in the US alone
• Exhibitors wary – improvements in home
cinema (surround sound, bigger TVs, video
projectors) plus high speed broadband...why
would you want to go to the cinema?

7. Disadvantages for Distributors
• Easier to make flawless copies with digital so
open to piracy
• By 2001 80% of revenue comes from post
release sales (TV, DVD etc) which is at risk
• Competition – if digital democratises access to
production and distribution, then this creates
more competition for established industry.
Keep film as something ‘special’ and ‘User
Generated Content’ remains ‘inferior’ – give
the audience an experience they can’t get on
YouTube.