From the way films are shot to the way they are consumed by audiences, technology has changed cinema in more ways than one. As audiences, we continue to adapt but the question remains: is there such a thing as too much technological evolution, at least when it comes to cinema?
From the way films are shot to the way they are consumed by audiences, technology has changed cinema in more ways than one. As audiences, we continue to adapt but the question remains: is there such a thing as too much technological evolution, at least when it comes to cinema?
Our story begins with Screening Room, a start-up that is threatening to change the way films are consumed by the average person. Backed by Sean Parker of Napster fame, the Screening Room is offering brand new films at home for 50 dollars a rental. This means those who don’t go to cinema or even ones who do can simply skip the effort and the experience and just stream a new film for a nominal amount.
The effort is to improve numbers for the domestic market in America but this is perhaps one idea that has split legendary Hollywood heavyweights right down the middle.
Surprisingly, those who have come out in support of Parker’s idea include heavyweight filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Brian Grazer, Frank Marshall, J.J. Abrams, Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard who said in a joint statement with Grazer: “Screening Room uniquely provides [a] solution.”
Meanwhile the naysayers panel is also loaded with some credential names such as Roland Emmerich, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan and M. Night Shyamalan.
Cameron had the harshest of words for the idea and noted: “We don’t understand why the industry would want to provide audiences an incentive to skip the best form to experience the art that we work so hard to create.”
It remains to be seen if Screening Room finds more supporters but from the looks of it, the start-up is well on its way. Only time will tell how this venture affects the theatrical experience and the movie business at large.
