Will Video iPod Kill The Feature Film?

Steve Rubel made some comments in his Across The Sound podcast recently
that made us think about the impact of the video iPod. Steve was, as
they say, waxing lyrically about his purchase of a video iPod. He said
it was going to change his relationship with TV in a big way.

If we look back at the original iPod and iTunes – they changed music
completely through the democratization of digital music. For many of
us, it re-engaged us with music, made it easy to discover and buy music
to meet our tastes. iPod allowed us to overcome a system created by
record companies that forced music upon us. We even started buying
singles again. Labels like Warner are now leaving the format of the LP
behind to give us EP-esque formats to fit out lifestyle.

But what will the video iPod do? Unlike music, the TV industry is
enjoying a renaissance with series like 24, Deadwood, House and
so-many-more engaging the audience with rich drama. Budding film
screenplay writers are now changing format and pitching TV series ideas
to TV studios. We actually like what the TV industry (or at least HBO)
is generating.

Some very intelligent people question if you could watch a 90 minute
feature film on a screen – and maybe they’re right. But what about all the great TV
shows? They’re only 23 mins long without commercials (or less!). We’re
going to lap all this content up. In fact, the kids are already
watching this content on the PSP and iPod. There’s no going back – maybe Sir Del Boy might even make a comeback?! ;)

Like
music, the iPod could democratize video content and let us choose the
content we want rather than be governed by the length and style
produced by Hollywood.

Won’t happen? That’s what they said about theater. And the public’s
perception of theater today could be their perception of feature films
tomorrow: An important cultural product, unloved and unwanted by the
masses.

Your thoughts? Leave a ‘comment’.

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