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Film Distribution Comes To The Internet

Posted by michael on from the slashdot-is-too-uk-centric dept.

Dooferlad writes "thisisnotalovesong.com hosts something of a first - a film that is being distributed over the Internet because independent films are being pushed out of the box office by blockbusters. At a time when everything on seems to be a sequel it would be nice to have something original on the silver screen, but unless you live near the 5 cinemas in the UK where this is been shown you will have to do with your own small screen. The film is being distributed in Windows Media format, either streamed or for download. The code you pay for (2 to 3 UK pounds) allows you to watch as many times as you like. The catch for most of you reading is that it is only for people in the UK. More coverage is available from the BBC."

5 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting idea by squiggleslash · · Score: 5, Interesting
    And I hope it succeeds. I also hope they can sell DVDs, which ought to be one of the easier alternatives and makes the film available to a much wider audience than limiting it people with fast PCs and broadband connections does.

    As I understand it, it doesn't cost much more to get DVDs mass duplicated these days than CDs, and DVD-Rs are now $3 if you're forced to resort to such things.

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    1. Re:Interesting idea by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 5, Interesting

      DVD-Rs are not the same thing as a pressed DVD. And while a DVD-R, to burn, would be $3, in order to get a DVD pressed (which is the only acceptable commercial solution - burned products are not products at all) the cost per DVD is lower BUT there's a certain amount of money up front that you have to pay for a run. I don't know what the average minimum run is but it is substantial. Furthermore, DVDs need to be shipped and that introduces more cost to the consumer in which that cost in not going to the creator of the intellectual property. I would much rather have indie films stick to download only and have all my money (at a lower price as well) go to the crew. Also, as this becomes a more popular way to view movies - those without broadband will see the benefit of having broadband. The more people who want broadband, the lower the price becomes and the more broadband is laid.

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  2. Re:only available for windows... by maharg · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I believe xine and mplayer (to name but two) can play WMV ?

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  3. quality by razorshine · · Score: 3, Interesting

    hi guys, I have seen the digital film.. the 300mb file is amazing quality - looked great on a full screen 21" monitor. if you want a review of the film there is one on the bbc somewhere

  4. This is not something to be ridiculed by Attaturk · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Hang on a second, this is /. isn't it? I see a fair few responses looking to poke fun at the movie makers but shouldn't this be something we praise? Well let's take a look:

    Pros:
    • An independant movie maker cutting out the MPAA-friendly 'Hollywood scene' altogether.
    • Direct distribution.
    • Low fee for download - about a fifth of the price of a cinema ticket.
    • Different quality levels available and the ability to store the movie and rewatch it.
    • The movie is also available on DVD and in the cinema so the consumer has plenty of options on what they pay for and what they get.
    • Some nice taglines: "This is not Hollywood", "This is not conventional", "This is not the end of cinema" etc.
    • Written by the guy that wrote The Full Monty.
    Cons:
    • "UK-only" online release
    • DRM-tastic you can't watch it on any other PC than the one you downloaded it on. Until you've cracked it naturally. You've effectively paid your money to 'rent' the movie on that machine (in fairness the download fee is about the same as a 2 night DVD/VHS movie rental, which you have to return).
    • M$ Windows only
    • M$ Windows Media Player 9 only
    • Limited availability online - they're taking it offline on Sept 19th (subject to change), which means they've got a two week hype window for a movie that we'd have otherwise never heard of.
    • "This is not the Blair Witch Project" should read "We want to be a flash-in-the-pan Internet phenomenon like the BWP.
    • Biggest cast member seems to be a bit-part from Harry Potter.
    • Flash used as basis for website not as enhancements to it.
    • Franki and Jonny may need to calm down a little and explore some other web technologies. ;-)
    Oh and the director is virtually unknown but has achieved the respect of some of those that have seen his work.

    In short this looks like a truly great idea hijacked by a bunch of overzealous marketing types that now see the Blair Witch symbol as more potent icon than the dollar symbol. As a result it's now just a-n-other overhyped budget movie release.