"...To track the future trajectory of cinema, keep the camera trained on the indies and outsiders."

Scott Kirsner has posted an excellent article briefly detailing the technological advances in cinema, claiming that progress has been made through the effort of independents and individuals on the outside. From the early years of moving pictures, outsiders played important roles in pursuing and advancing even the most basic of technologies such as sound and color. Kirsner convincingly explains how it has been the independent artists and groups, those outside of established and mainstream companies, that were responsible for most of cinema's innovations throughout the past century.

"...Despite the odds stacked against them, it was indies and outsiders who first tried and tamed many of the technologies that changed the way movies were made and experienced in the 20th century – occasionally leading to great financial and artistic success."

Kirsner then goes on to explain how future technologies and techniques, such as new distribution methods will follow a similar pattern. Highly recommended read for everyone. Great lesson to be learned here, and not only a historical one.