The impact of new technology on media industries

Criteria Pro Con

Quality Films are produced in much better quality e.g. Blu-ray due to digital filmCamera quality is improving

Some directors don’t want the change- e.g. Christopher Nolan invited other directors to a premiere to encourage them to stay traditional and not digital.

Cost-cutting Digital filming is a lot cheaper e.g. only $10,000 whereas filming onto film costs $50,000Additionally external sound equipment is no longer needed as digital equipment now has this built in.

Traditional methods of producing media texts are lost and forgotten- an issue directors such as Christopher Nolan have raised.

Piracy New media makes piracy very simple. The general public can access many media products illegally through the internet.

The increased speed of download increases how many pirated copies are viewed/downloaded daily

Exhibition There is more choice for the audience e.g. 3D

Due to increased piracy there is a decrease in cinema-goers resulting in cinemas not being able to afford the latest exhibition technology.

Marketing Marketing online gets the product across to a mass audience, reasonably cheaply and quickly.

As marketing is easily carried out online, competition has increased resulting in distributors needing to be more creative.

The impact of new technology on media audiences

Criteria Pro Con

Access Media can be viewed in an increased number of ways e.g. television, online channels, DVDS, cinema, Blu-ray.

The increased choice can make it difficult for the audience to choose where is best to watch the media product. Sometimes this means exhibitors such as the cinema lose out because the audience prefer the comfort of their home.

Marketing There is an increased range of marketing techniques resulting in most of the target audience being reached in a way that appeals to them.

The audience are exposed to so much marketing/advertising that the audience are being indoctrinated and overwhelmed with choice.

Audience as producers Funding given to the audience to create their own production- can include factors that the target audience have selected themselves. Should be able to appeal to large audience if carried out correctly.

Already existing producers have more competition, this media text may only appeal to a niche audience.