Part 5-Online screening

Part 5-Online Screening
For this part of the research I watched different types of films from these various websites:

o http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/
o http://www.film4.com/videos/film4-shorts
o http://www.lovefilm.com/welcome/home.html
o http://mubi.com/
o http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/1350979/
o http://www.futureshorts.com/
o http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/
o http://www.triggerstreet.com/gbase/Trigger/Homepagee
o http://www.vimeo.com/
o http://www.atom.com/
o http://www.youtube.com


•What sorts of films are exhibited at these sites and where do they come from?

These sites show various different types of films, cover different genres and formats, such as short films, features, drama, social realism, documentaries and comedy. For example http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/ screens different style shorts, such as drama, comedy and animations, however also screens features and different types of moving image texts. Many of the sites also have ‘Submit’ tabs and links, which means anyone who has made a short film or even an up and coming feature can upload it and share it. A lot of the films screened on these websites are from up and coming directors and writers, looking gain publicity and showcase their talent. For instance shorts from http://www.futureshorts.com/ come from writers and directors who have submitted work or been discovered by the future shorts festival. However some films, come from more established directors, maybe experimenting with different forms of film or trying to reach a new audience by screening online.

•Is there a relationship between the institution exhibiting the short and its producers?

Not all the institutions that exhibit these films have a direct link or relationship with the producers of these films. This is because a lot of these sites have an option where you just upload or submit your films for people watch and review, rather than going through a team of people to exhibit your work. However, with companies such as http://www.film4.com/videos/film4-shorts there may be more of a link between the directors and producers and the institution as the producers may linked with company that may have a closer link with an institution such as film4. For example ‘Kingsland’, a short directed by Tony Grisoni worked with The Bureau film company and the UK film council to produce and fund the film.



•Who are the audiences?

The audience for the films on the sites may be people interested in different genres and styles of films, as there is a wide variety of different films shown on the sites. In addition, it could short film enthusiass, as these sites are great way to show of the format and what can be done with it. It could also be institutions looking for more undiscovered talent, for example like what happened with directors such as Lynne Ramsay (Gasman).

•What is the submission process?

Many of the sites have parts of the website such as ‘Submit’, ‘Rules’ or ‘Submissions’ which direct the person to how to submit their film. The submission usually involves completing a form/profile about your film and/or your experience in film. With http://www.futureshorts.com/, you upload a profile about your film with a £20 submission fee. After this has been processed and organised you can develop your films details and develop things such as press packs. With http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/page/rules it involves uploading your film, then being entered into a long list and short list of films then being judged and reviewed. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork the submission process involves including all of your details, a small synopsis of the film, information such as cast and crew members, length, information about the making of your film, and details from things such as festivals. They also require a certain standard of short film to screen. With sites such as www.vimeo.com , www.atom.com, www.youtube.com, the process is easier and more simple to do in your hands. IT requires making an account, then you can upload your videos as much as you like. This is similar to http://www.triggerstreet.com/gbase/Trigger/Homepagee,.

•What are the benefits to having a film screened on one site as opposed to another?

There are different benefits of screen your film on each site. For example with sites such as http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork and http://www.film4.com/videos/film4-shorts, they may be better places to try and find companies and more established writers and directors to work with and really showcase your films instead of a site such as www.atom.com. However with sites such as www.youtube.com and www.vimeo.com your short films can reach an extremely wide audience and is a great way to have all of your works in one place.

•What is the implication of shorts being offered alongside features for direct download at sites such as MUBI?

This implies that many directors what to distribute their film to as many people and in as many ways as possible. This also a more direct to distribute films, rather than spending money on things such as DVD distribution and printing and finding a company to do all of this.

•What have you noticed about the structure/style of the sites and their presentation of the material?

On all of the sites, the material is clearly laid out with different tabs indicating genres and directors. In addition a lot of the sites also show all of the films on numbered pages, meaning you can just scroll through all the different films for as long as you like. This is so it is easier for people to watch the short films without having to navigate their around a tricky website.