The Film Industry and the Internet: A Love-Hate Relationship

Much like the film industry, computer technology and the Internet are constantly evolving – but at a faster rate. What was relevant a year ago is distantly related to the technology today, and we know that what will be created tomorrow will be obsolete in two years.

Since its creation in the 1960’s, the Internet has had an incredible impact on and revolutionized almost all disciplines, the way we communicate with each other, and forms of entertainment. I have chosen to explore the impact of the Internet and computer technology on the film industry.

Advantages of the Internet and computer technology for the film industry:
- Online marketing:
o Trailers
o Websites with information about the cast, directors, storyline,
release dates, etc.
o Teasers
o Reviews of the movie
- Visual effects
- Animation
- Improving their standards
o Polls from the public on what can be done better
- Global scale
o International movie market


Disadvantages of the Internet and computer technology for the film industry:
- Piracy
o Pirate DVDs
- Illegal downloading
- Risk getting viruses that attack computers
- ‘Coach-potato’ syndrome
o Staying at home instead of going out with friends