A Time article describes how several filmakers successfully marketed their films by giving them away online. According to the article, Timo Vuorensola’s Star Wreck reached nine million downloads and generated over $430,000 from collector’s edition DVDs and merchandise. Nina Paley’s Sita Sings the Blues, also released for free online, earned over $55,000. The article ends by stating:
Soon, the middleman could be a thing of the past. And it may only be a matter of time before movie theatres — popcorn and all — are on the way out, too.
I found two problems with the article. First, I agree that this distribution model will become more common, and perhaps even the dominant form of low-budget independent film distribution. However, I don’t see movie theaters becoming extinct. The movie-going experience cannot be recreated at home; there will always be an allure to going out to a theater to be visually and aurully immersed in a film.
Second, the article also does not describe anyone who has failed at using this distribution method, and I am sure there are many. Just as with the old distribution models, there will be success and failures, and probably more of the former. The article describes the rewards of free online distribution but none of the risks.
As content becomes easier to distribute online, artists will have to look to their content as merely the bait to draw people to other revenue streams such as merchandise and donations.
One Comment
i can’t believe there is people that still listen what Bonno has to say .
if i want obvious crap , i would watch tv .