Week 4- Tutorial Task

1.Where and when did usable online video start?

FireAnt.tv was the first RRS based media player created for downloading and viewing online videos

2.In the lecture we heard about technological innovations that were used by the studios to lure audiences. What recent innovations are being used to lure us in the movies? What are they luring us from?

Nowadays, the film industry is beginning to create a lot of 3D movies, creating an exciting experience for audiences- eg. get to wear cool glasses, the action pops out right in front of your face. Although 3D is an older medium and has been around since 1952, majority of movies being created these days are coming out in 3D as well as 2D. Also, a popular genre at the moment is romantic-action movies which combines the two most popular genres into one which invites a wider audience eg. both sexes. These innovations are luring us away from our own home entertainment systems, eg. austar, surround sound, dvd players, higher quality televisions, and back into the cinema for a more social viewing.

3.Are short films still being made? Why? Who pays for them to be made?

Yes, short films are still being made. For example, advertisers are creating short films in order to advertise their products, hoping to make a positive influence on viewers and also independent and emerging film makers, trying to be recognised and show their talent and passion. In addition, well-reknowned animation company Pixar still create short films and have been since 1986 and their website claims that "Pixar's shorts have helped foster and develop technologies and talent at the studio, but they are mostly made for one simple reason: love of the art form" (http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/about_us/overview.htm). Pixar has picked up nine Academy Awards nominations and three Academy Awards over time. Their latest short released was Toy Story 3 which is currently screening in cinemas.

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

The term viral relates to a video spread by "word of mouth" on the internet because of it's "infectious" nature. Some example include "Bon Qui Qui", William Hung's American Idol audition tape, and also Lazy Sunday: The Chronicals of Narnia Rap by The Lonely Island. Generally, this infectious nature of the viral videos is the humour factor that each possess. Young kids, especially, come across these funny videos online and tell their friends, who tell friends who tell friends of friends, and therefore the cycle begins and soon enough, the video becomes viral.

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.

Webisodes.org is an online video distribution site which release videos in "webisodes". Many television shows these days are being aired not only on the television but also on various video streaming websites- eg. casttv.com and surfthechannel.com. Viewing video online has some positives and negatives effects on the viewer's experience- online video is easily accessible and always available and with modern day technology, such as laptops, iphones and ipods, is extremely portal. The down side is that the viewing of online video is generally personal nowadays and usually takes place at home, taking viewer's away from the social factor of seeing a movie with others and keeping them locked up in the house instead of getting out and going somewhere.