The New York Times article titled "2006, Brought to You by You" talks about the latest buzz word "user generated content." Content that is created by everyone, distributed sideways instead of the traditional top-down distribution model that Hollywood has cherished for a long time. I like the article's comparison of this phenomenon to folk cultures: "Folk cultures often work incrementally, adding bits of individuality to a well-established tradition, with time and memory determining what will last. In the user-generated realm, tradition is anything prerecorded, and all existing works seem to be there for the taking, copyrights aside." Which leads to this quote: "The amateurs may seem irreverent, disrespectful and even parasitical as they help themselves to someone else's hooks. But they're confirming that the pros came up with something durable enough to demand a reply. Without icons, what would iconoclasts mock?"
But the problem remains how do filmmakers, those by profession, stand out among all these choices. You have to reach a certain level of popularity before you can be successfully mocked. I certainly do not suggest going back to the top-down model because outside of landing that elusive Hollywood deal, there is the festival circuit which seems to suck filmmakers dry instead of providing them with a platform. The Internet is much easier to build a following but just as hard to reach mainstream.
1. Interesting. I've heard the term Generation C thrown around for this type of user generated and shared content. It's fascinating to think about where the video medium will go and how people will innovate in this space.
I think the high-quality content will slowly make it's way towards the top but that's not to say that there isn't a market for the more amateur setup. The important thing is the community that is embracing the content.
The great thing about it for all groups is that the internet can be a great testing area for a concept and it can build from there. I'm looking forward to see some innovative things being done like plot lines that are controlled by the community of viewers.
We're just getting started with the video format on the internet. Movies will not go away but it's interesting to see how more and more people are able to jump in and get an instant audience.
Posted at 7:47PM on Dec 14th 2006 by Matt