The End of Showbiz As We Know It...
I've been thinking a lot about the end of the world lately. Not the end in a "2012" kind of way, but the end of the world in an "end of the world as we know it" kind of way.A few months ago, I was asked to give the keynote speech at the "What is Film?" conference sponsored by the University of Oregon that takes place in Portland next Friday and Saturday, November 6 & 7 at the new Turnbull Center. After some thought, the title of my speech hit me, "Technocalypse Now?"
So let's get out the dictionary, shall we, and create a new word...
Technology. The application of science and engineering, especially to industrial or commercial objectives that interrelate with life, society and the environment.
Apocalypse. A prophetic disclosure or revelation of cataclysm that brings universal or widespread destruction or disaster to life and society.
This means that when we put the two words in a super-collider to see what they create together, we get something like:
Technocalypse. The cataclysmic destruction of the entertainment industry through the creation of digital products that undermine and destroy the economic models that show business was based on.
Although I've got a pretty spiffy presentation digitally simmering on my computer (using Mac's "Keynote" program), the more I work on this talk, the more I realize there are multiple answers to the question "Technocalypse Now?"
There is no doubt whatsoever that people are suffering during this disruption. I know or have heard of plenty of people who used to be high-level types in Hollywood who have kicked it in and moved on to try something else. Everything's in flux, downsizing is going on all over the place, and anybody who tells you they know exactly how it's all going to shake down is simply lying. There are educated guesses, informed theories, and wishful thoughts. There are few hard facts.
As I get down to the last days, I'm filling in these hi-tech digital slides with some pithy content from reading, researching and thinking. I'd love for readers, in and out of the Hollywood game, to be part of that process by posting their own thoughts about what's going on and how it's going to shake down.
By the way, I've had this digital image of the TV set for years and I think I remember it being a free image but if I've got that wrong and you know otherwise, please let me know who did it and I'll either give proper credit or take it down. I really don't want to be giving a speech about how digital issues are fraying the essence of the creation-use contract and not handle this properly.
In any case, here are a few of the questions that the conference organizers posted on their own website to stir your thoughts:
• What is film in a digital world?
• How is the film or cinema defined today?
• How is the changing nature of audiences and film consumers affecting the industry?
• What are the changing practices of the film and video businesses?
• What is the state of competition among Hollywood, independents and other studios?
• What are the prospects for Oregon's film/video industry?
• What is the relationship between the film/video business and government?
• How are digital technologies changing film production, distribution and exhibition?
• How can the Internet function as a film distribution outlet?
• What new economic models are emerging for the film industry?
• How is globalization affecting the film and video business?
• Can Hollywood continue to dominate in the U.S. and abroad?
I showed these questions to my friend, Steve Friedlander who's VP of Distribution over at CBS Films. He emailed me: "Keynote topics? The questions lend themselves to a whole semester of study." He's probably right but I don't have a semester. Just a few more days...
Fire when ready with any thoughts you have...
