mini-movies

October 27, 2003 3:56 PM

Coming to a phone near you. The creative entries you'll see here fit not only the small screen size, but the on-the-go nature of mobile use. Entries typically run up to 3 minutes. All are sized and purposed to work in small handheld formats. Flash, live action, 3D animation, its all here at the World's Smallest Film Festival.
posted by Grod (3 comments total)

I've got limited computer power, limited know-how, limited motivation/discipline/dedication, and limited time. On the plus side, my ambition knows no bounds and I posses an unlimited supply of high-end software. Finally, there's a medium perfectly suited to this combination. I'm gonna make me some low res 30sec movies. Now all I need is a phone to view them on.

Has anyone received one of these, or made one? Do you think it will take off as an art form? Will it encourage self expression, or will the ability of mobile phones to display these motivate people to run out and buy a new service plan? What kind of business model looks most promising? A subscription based service included in the price of the plan?

How about non-artistic uses--advertisement either blatant or masquerading as art, (note that none of the sponsors have any motive to promote art for arts sake)?

The ability to send and receive movies could spark the same types of revolutions as text-messaging. The possibilities inherent in this are mindblowing, what kind of content can you produce with the bandwidth, storage, and display limitations? I know I can top what's out there now.

Well, any thoughts?
posted by Grod at 6:18 PM on October 27, 2003

They will charge too much for the data transfer to make anyone use it. If they did free transfer, or linked one's connectivity with their home ISP provider, then they'd have a service. Keep pushing the ceiling, though.
posted by Busithoth at 7:07 PM on October 27, 2003

Some of the new cellular data services are unmetered, however. Verizon's testing EVDO down in San Diego, and some Japanese company's offering low-end broadband speeds at flat rates. $70 for 256kb isn't cheap, but it's not like the price is going up over time. If nothing else, they really want to avoid being eaten up by WiFi spots, and freeing people from the mental costs of deciding whether to check their mail or not to avoid data transfer charges will definitely drive people towards shelling out for networked cellphones.
Advertising definitely seems like a likely use of this. Just imagine being out and being able to use one's cell phone to see what movies were playing nearby - and then get their trailers. I don't know how well original content meant for handhelds is going to play though. It's going to be more popular anywhere with popular mass transit, I'll bet. Although with younger children getting cell phones parents might be willing to shell out for amusement in the car.
posted by dragoon at 2:54 PM on October 28, 2003