The Future of Film is Ripe With Opportunities For Innovators

The film landscape has evolved dramatically over the last decade, and the explosion of the internet has helped companies gain more exposure than ever before. Keeping target audiences easily in the loop and movies that would usually depend on word-of-mouth reviews can now be broadcast more effectively while maintaining a low marketing budget. Innovators and people who think creatively in their storytelling have taken advantage of this. It has pushed the boundaries for storytelling across the silver screen. Below are some reasons why the future looks bright for the film industry.

The Rise of Streaming Services

Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime have opened the door for endless opportunities for filmmakers. No longer reliant on traditional models of releasing movies and television shows, filmmakers and innovators have been allowed to explore their creative sides and push the boundaries of the film industry. Films like Roma, which was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won one (for best director), have barely made a dent at the box office and yet have been pushed forward by Netflix’s marketing machine. It shows their independence from having to have a strong box office performance to justify their existence. Netflix’s policy of taking a chance on projects and allowing directors and producers creative freedom has allowed them unparalleled success while others are struggling.

Shows like Stranger Things come to mind when you think of one of the most influential tv shows of the past decade, but you would be surprised to know that the Duffey brothers struggled mightily to find a network that would take their project. Netflix acquiesced to all their demands to keep the show as they envisioned, and the result has been an acclaimed series that has been a love letter to the eighties while staying relatable to modern audiences.

When blockbusters and sequels dominate the box office and theaters, it’s a relief to know that there are alternatives for filmmakers and producers to seek. Netflix has been responsible for helping shows all over the globe, most noticeably in India. The film industry is managing the same Bollywood hierarchy that has been dominating it since its inception. Netflix has helped break the boundaries of traditional storytelling and allowed independent filmmakers to have their vision realized. It has allowed Indie actors to break into the mainstream and showcase their talents. It has allowed them to pursue roles and genres that they have yet to explore.

Covid-19 and the Film Industry

The pandemic has ground blockbuster releases to a halt. Studios must delay their release or showcase them through a streaming service. It has led to studios being more hesitant to invest considerable budgets in a film, as they are unsure if it will justify its returns. New filmmakers can take advantage of this and persuade studios to invest in their projects at a fraction of the cost of a major blockbuster. People have more room to experiment with different genres and ideas and no longer worry about appeasing the studio executives and shareholders. The rise in technology and the popularity of Blu-Ray has led to more people preferring to watch a movie when it comes out released to DVD first, as it allows them to re-watch and own the film they buy.

Improvement in CGI Technology and Special Effects

Technology and CGI have helped innovators push the boundaries, as more people expect films with special effects. Science fiction has significantly benefited from this, with director Christopher Nolan personally acknowledging that the improvement of special effects has helped him realize his dream of creating films like inception. Filmmakers have taken full advantage of this and helped them de-aging actors and create new worlds and characters. Movies that used to rely on costumes and makeup can now rely on special effects to make a more realistic movie experience and have helped flesh out fantasy stories such as the Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games, and other blockbusters franchises.