Titleframe: The rise of internet video and the independent filmmaker

The advent of digital video and the lowering costs of video production have democratized the means of movie making. Anybody who has a script, access to a DV camera and a Macintosh computer can call himself a filmmaker. But the major roadblock for any filmmaker – whether a beginner or established -- is distribution. The dream of most film students and indie filmmakers is a Hollywood distribution deal, but sadly that is not a reality. The reality is that big media companies have long served as the taste makers who determine which film is commercially viable and worthy of mass distribution. This is about to change.

The same peer-to-peer sharing phenomenon that upended the music industry is already creating a sea change in the film and television industries. Rather than trying to succeed in the antiquated mass-appeal broadcast model of traditional TV and film, independent filmmakers can completely circumvent the system and rethink the economics of content distribution.

I will show that the means of creating a profitable and viable distribution channel for independent film and video makers are readily available through the utilization of existing and emerging peer to peer network applications. Through the proliferation of web-enabled video-playback devices and social software, the option of self-distribution will become a reality.

Blair Witch Project was a low-budget movie released in 1999. It was the first movie to effectively use the internet as a viral marketing tool, and enmesh the storyline with its accompanying web site.

Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism was a 2004 documentary film by Robert Greenwald. The film originally had no theatrical release but, in July 2004, was released on DVD and shown at "house parties" of liberal activists across the country. Because of the success of the DVD, on August 5, 2004, it was released to theaters.

Four-eyed Monsters - another independent with no distribution. The filmmakers, however, are circumventing big movie distribution by releasing their movie through podcasts and generating buzz through blogs and profiles on MySpace.com

iFilm.com is a viral video website.

indieFlix.com is a NetFlix service for independent films.

The implications of Google video, Yahoo video, and the Video iPod

Sources of Research:

Darknet: Hollywood's War Against the Digital Generation by J.D. Lasica

Free Culture: the Nature and Future of Creativity by Lawrence Lessig

The Darknet and the Future of Content Distribution by Peter Biddle, Paul England, Marcus Peinado, and Bryan Willman

Lightnet coined by Lucas Gonze (http://gonze.com/weblog/story/lightnet) and further defined by
Mike Linskvayer (http://gondwanaland.com/mlog/2005/11/28/redefining-light-and-dark/) and Peter Van Dijck (http://www.poorbuthappy.com/ease/)

The Language of New Media by Lev Manovich

Independent film and video makers who are looking for a low cost yet premium platform to distribute their digital content, market their work, share ideas, find inspiration, collaborate on future projects and build a name for themselves. Independent means any artist who wants control of every aspect of their work including the distribution of their work and their reputation/branding. This project is especially targeting people who aren't interested in going through the traditional Hollywood route, and who are truly in it to become a true independent in the movies. This project is also for viewers and fans interested in the world of independent film and video.

Apache server, MySQL database, PHP middleware
HTML, CSS, Flash interface, Flash Video
Quicktime, Windows Media