- o What sorts of films are exhibited at these sites and where do they come from?
BBC FILM NETWORK:
The BBC Film Network offers a wide range of films for the viewer. It has both shorts and feature films of varying lengths. There is a selection of categories that are linked on a sidebar, from animation to documentary, and from music to comedy.
FILM 4 SHORTS VIDEOS:
On this website the only films exhibited are short films.
LOVEFILM:
At lovefilm.com, a section is available to watch films online. However, only some are available for free, others are pay-per-view and others only through a monthly paid subscription to the site. Nevertheless, there is a huge selection of genres to choose from, but no short films, just features.
MUBI:
Once signed up, which can be done using a Facebook login, Mubi offers a range of different genres including short films. Some films are available for free; however some require a fee (shorts at £0.79, and features at £2.99). It is possible to subscribe for £9.99 and watch unlimited.
VIRGIN MEDIA SHORTS:
There is one type of film exhibited on this website, short films. Shorts are published on this website from filmmakers entering the Virgin Media Shorts Competition, in order to win the People’s Choice Award.
VIMEO:
This site offers a wide range of film. There are various categories including arts, sport, music and experimental. Videos from users can also be uploaded to groups and channels in order to share their creations with people of similar interests.
YOUTUBE:
YouTube is a similar sight to Vimeo in that it offers similar categories including sport, news, science, comedy and entertainment. These videos are uploaded by individuals. There are also channels available and TV catch-up services.
- o Who are the audiences?
For the BBC Film Network, Film4 Shorts, and Virgin Media Shorts the audience will be amateur filmmakers, companies who are looking for new talent to invest in, and those who are just interested in watching short films.
Other websites like Vimeo and YouTube will be for people looking for cheep entertainment (sometimes at the expense of others), those who want to see music videos, and people who enjoy amateur videos.
The sites Mubi and Lovefilm will be for an audience who are willing to pay in order to screen various genres of film online.
- o What is the submission process?
To have a video submitted onto the BBC Film Network, filmmakers have to create a membership, fill out a submission form (with details including a synopsis, funding details and cast and crew) and then send a copy of the film on VHS or DVD. Not all submissions are guaranteed to be published on the site.
Film4 shorts website is only for shorts that have been created in conjunction with Film4.
The sites Virgin Media Shorts, Vimeo and YouTube, have a simple process. Users must first create an account with the site, and then simply upload the video they wish.
On Mubi and Lovefilm, the sites are not for people to upload their own work.
- o What are the benefits to having a film screened on one site as opposed to another?
There are different benefits for each site, dependant on the approach that the filmmaker wishes to take.
Having their short film screened on the BBC Film Network, Film4 Shorts, or Virgin Media Shorts, it is more likely to be viewed by film companies and professional filmmakers who look for new talent to invest in. These websites are by top, well-know film companies, so is a good building block for filmmakers to have their film seen by the industry.
On the other hand, if it is screened on sites such as YouTube or Vimeo it is less likely to be viewed by professionals. However, these sites are used by millions of people across the world. Therefore, if a film published to these sites becomes highly viewed, it becomes well-known and recommended. It acts as free viral and verbal advertising.
- o What is the implication of shorts being offered alongside features for direct download at sites such as Mubi?
The level of implication depends on the audience for the site. A site that offers a vast majority of mainstream films is less likely to see audience downloading amateur shorts. However, a site such a Mubi, is more likely to have downloads of shorts even though features are offered as well.
- o What have you noticed about the structure / style of the sites and their presentation of the material?
The structure and presentation of each website appears quite similar, although BBC, Film4 and Virgin have a more professional image. Due to the position the companies holds in the industry, they all have a level of professionalism to uphold.
The styles of the websites are influenced by the type of audience they are trying to attract. YouTube, Vimeo, Mubi and Lovefilm have quite simplistic styles and are easy to navigate in order to attract as wide an audience as possible.
BBC Film Network, Film4 Shorts and Virgin Media Shorts have a more professional style, whilst also having a modern style to attract new young filmmakers to the site.
