This document provides an overview of new media technologies and their impact on the film industry. It discusses how digital technologies have improved quality and interactivity, led to data compression allowing for more storage, and enabled convergence of technologies. At the production level, examples of new media impacts include CGI, digital filmmaking, and digital editing software. Distribution has been affected through social media promotion, simultaneous game/film releases, and targeted digital channels. Exhibition has transitioned to digital projectors in theaters and risen alternative content revenues. Case studies are given on specific films to illustrate these impacts.

1. Unit G322 – Section B
New Media Technologies

2. New Media Technologies
 The question for Section B of the January exam isn’t
quite as predictable as it is for Section A.
 One of the areas that may crop up is New Media
Technologies.
 So, the question could be:
 Discuss the impact of new technologies that have
been introduced in recent years at the levels of
production, distribution and exhibition.
 DON’T PANIC!
 We’re going to cover NMT today – you’ll know a lot
of it already.

3. What are new media
 Old Media:  New Media:
 TV
 Radio
 Film/Cinema
 VHS
 Books
 Newpapers and
magazines.

4. What are new media
 New Media technologies are digital – sound and
image data is converted and stored as a binary
code.
 Old media is analogue – sound and images are
stored as they are.
 In itself, this is dull. It becomes interesting when
we consider the differences between digital and
analogue and the benefits that digital offers over
analogue.
 Ultimately, we’re interested in how NMT are
affecting the ways that AUDIENCES watch films

5. Digital VS Analogue
 1. Digital offers better quality image and sound.
 2. Digital is smaller so more data can be stored. This
is because the process of converting the sound and
images to binary involves compressing the info.
Look at the size of a UMD!
 3. Digital offers audiences the chance to interact
because we access certain parts of the digital code.
 4. Digital has led to convergence – i.e. technologies
becoming combined.
 The Universal Media Disc (UMD) is an optical disc medium developed by Sony for use on their PlayStation Portable handheld
gaming and multimedia platform. It can hold up to 1.8 gigabytes of data and is capable of housing video games, feature-length
films, and music.

6. Digital VS Analogue
 REMEMBER THIS SLIDE!
 QUALITY.
 INTERACTIVITY.
 PROLIFERATION.
 CONVERGENCE.
 PORTABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY.

7. NMT and the Film Industry
 How has the film industry used NMT? Think
about this in terms of Production, Distribution
and Exhibition.

8. NMT and Production
CGI
Digital Film
Blue/green screen (chromakey)
Editing – digital software.
Digital 3d

9. NMT and Distribution
 Facebook and social networking sites to
promote films.
 Synergy – simultaneous release such as PS3
game and film.
 Youtube trailers.
 Websites.
 Ability to target specific demographics by using
digital radio stations or channels with particular
niche audiences.

10. NMT and exhibition – Digital
 At the end of 2009 the UK had the second
highest number of digital screens in Europe with
642 screens (behind France’s 959 digital
screens). The UK had 449 screens capable of
screening digital 3D features (70% of all digital
screens).
 In 2006 there were 5 digital 3D screens in the
UK. In 2008 there were 69.
 ‘Alternative content’ revenue is up from
£200,000 in 2006 to £5 million in 2009.

11. NMT and exhibition

12. NMT and the Film Industry
 How do audiences use NMT to experience film?

13. NMT and our Case Studies
 How have Big Talk Pictures and Studio Canal
utilised NMT with Attack the Block and Quantum
of Solace?
 How has Pirates of the Caribean utilised NMT?

14. NMT and our Case Studies
 Make detailed reference to your case study
material to enable you to answer the following
question:
 Discuss the impact of new technologies that
have been introduced in recent years at the
levels of production, distribution and exhibition.