How Has Digitalization Changed the Film Industry?

In the 21st Century, digital devices are promenant in modern lifestyle. Much like television broadcasting has switched from anologue to digital, the film industry is also undergoing this change, but is it for the better?

The most dramatic change digitalization has made on the film industry is how films and movies are distributed. With the revolution of digital video cameras, videos captured are recorded onto solid state storage media. This means we can say goodbye to the old movie reels. This brings with it various benefits. Reels were very expensive to produce and transport, meaning that some smaller cinemas did not have the finance in order to show the film on there screen as it would simply cost too much foe the cinema and distributor. This is no longer a problem with digital video, as it can be saved onto memory sticks, a much cheaper alternative to reels. This means even independant cinemas can show the latest films without having to bust the bank. Also the distributors are more willing to supply the film, as it will cost them less to provide it. The quality of the video will also be an improvement in comparisson to films on reel. Digital video is capable of providing resolutions up to 4K and can handle 3D with ease. Reels on the other hand are not able to provide as high of quality

Digital video in combination with internet services like YouTube have also made it easier for regular people and amatuers to publish their movies without requiring millions of pounds backing from film companies. Instead people can pick up their own digital camera and upload there footage straight onto the web. This allows the creation of many more independant films.  Along with YouTube, digital formats have made it possible for distributors to allow their audience to view the film on their TV, Tablet, Mobile, Computer and other digital devices along with the traditional visit to the cinema.

Despite these positives, there are some negative points about the digitalization of the film industry. The one biggest negative impact of the film industrys digitilization is that the number of pirate DVD's and online downloads of films has rocketted. As the films are now saved on a digital formatt, its easier than ever to pirate them. In the modern day, a free download of a film that you could pay on average around £6-£7 to go and see at your local cinema, is just a click away. The rising costs of going to the cinema and the cash strapped public spell disaster for cinemas, as more people are choosing to watch pirate copies of the film. This could lead to cinemas not recieving the revenue from the film that they require to keep the business open. In effect, the growing market of film piracy could result in hundreds of independant cinemas and cinema chains forcing to close down.

Despite the disadvantages, the digital revolution is taking over the film industry, and we should expect it to stay in favour over the traditional 35mm film.