Shared Creation Magazine

I was reading this article on Wired as I pondered the state of writing on the Internet and I ended up considering the making of film aimed at small media devices.

Let’s kick off with small is nothing new. As soon as the technology became available music players and radio went small - that worked. The new small is in video. That’s an entirely different ball game because it means you’re viewing on small screen. Let’s be honest - it is a very small screen.

Despite being an ipod owner I’ve had an initial reaction to the idea of watching things on a 2 - 3 inch screen that goes along the lines. No!

As I read the article I realised that my No might really mean - there’s no way I’m watching a Hollywood movie on something that small. Hollywood movies are best watched on giant cinema screens, or at worst at decent sized TV, via a DVD with a surround sound amp attached.

The article wasn’t talking about that kind of viewing either.

It’s describing short to the point films. That are only a few minutes long and written to drive a point home, or to create a moment of moving art. It’s also describing films made on very small budgets. It’s pop TV in the way Andy Warhol did pop art. It even reflects the 15 minute of fame idea. To the people who see and like your ultra short movie - you are famous.

To me it is looking a little like this.

You’re travelling (or have 5 idle minutes to kill). A lot of us travel everyday - we have the daily commute. At some point boredom kicks in and at a loose end you turn to your iPod or phone or some other small device. The technology does not matter. Just the ability to be easily portable, reliable and be able to handle video playback. For five minutes you get into something, the world goes by and then you can sit back and reflect. Stress is relieved and your eyes haven’t been obliterated by starring into a teeny weeny screen for too long.

You have absorbed a presentation. Seen something cool. It’s had an impact. A type of artistic presentation not seen on TV or cinema.

Here (in a non linear kind of way) are some

sudden points about these films.

• Films so short and cheap (or free) to view that making a collection is not problem.
• Films that are disposable instead of being a considered purchase.
• Films that have to be shot with the small small screen in mind.
• Films that are really cheap to make.

If these films are cheap and disposable that means more film makers are going to be required to keep up with demand. More jobs for writers, directors, actors etc etc etc , or more fans making films and getting recognition for them.

It also creates opportunities for grass roots film makers to make the big time. After all if you are targeting a 2 inch screen you do not need a massively expensive camera. Almost any mini DV cam will do. You can make a film to establish yourself and then go on to make more films, films you can get sponsorship for…

Suddenly I see the combination of a new wave of people producing short films and the concept of portable players coming together. It’s a cool prospect; it’s film and video art escaping the economics of current film and TV production. Giving unprecedented artistic freedom. Are we about to a see flow of really cool and innovative ideas waking people up to just what is possible? Is the best yet to come?

I think it might be so. After all it’s happening now for sports fans or the technically aware; it may only be a short time before it takes off for the mass market.