The “Entertainment Innovators: Hollywood and Startups” panel at Silicon Beach Fest 2014
By: Brittany Nicole La Hue
Technology has always been the foundation of the entertainment industry, from the equipment needed to film and edit movies to the devices on which we play, stream and broadcast content. However, technology is becoming even more ingrained with entertainment with immersive 3D movie experiences, rewards programs, crowdfunding and even services matching screenwriters with filmmakers to actually get projects made. I attended Silicon Beach Fest 2014 here in sunny Santa Monica and learned a lot about some of the super-cool, high-tech ways that technology is shaping today’s entertainment scene.
Cross Campus in Santa Monica was one of the venues used for panels.
With the advent of Netflix, Chromecast, HBO Go and other similar streaming services, movie studios need to get people off the couch and into movie theatres. So Fox Studios had an idea – let consumers watch movie trailers from the comforts of their own homes on a special platform. The more trailers they watch and the more they engage with the content, the more free movie tickets and free popcorn they earn, driving them back into theatres in a full-circle effect.
Technology is also being used to provide consumers with realistic virtual experiences outside of the theatre. Dreamworks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg teamed up with famed virtual reality company Oculus Rift to create a simulated dragon-riding experience for How to Train Your Dragon II. Collaborations like this create an entire atmosphere around a movie and get consumers involved beyond simply sitting and watching the film itself.
Speakers at the “Tools for Independent Creative Professionals” panel.
While these speakers focused on what the entertainment industry is doing for consumers, the “Tools for Independent Creative Professionals” panel targeted others in the industry. One of the coolest ideas presented here was a service called The Black List, created by film executive Franklin Leonard. As a development executive for John Goldwyn Productions, Leonard struggled with finding great new content to produce. After asking his friends to send him their favorite un-produced screenplays, he had an idea – create a platform where screenwriters can connect with filmmakers and producers! Writers can upload their script to The Black List, where anyone from giant Hollywood studios to independent filmmakers with funding can read it. In this way, technology and online networking is being used to discover and produce unique, refreshing new content.
Content creators network at the after-party.
If you don’t meet a wealthy Hollywood executive to fund your project (or if you’ve created something but need to distribute it), you can always work on getting it out there yourself. That’s the idea behind Emily Best’s Seed&Spark tech platform, where anyone can buy or loan items on a filmmaker’s wish list or help fund a project. You can also share projects and your activity with friends to earn sparks, redeemable to watch fairtrade films in theatres!
On the step-and-repeat at the after-party!
Silicon Beach attendees also learned about great new apps like the “crowdspeaking” platform Thunderclap, which allows social media consumers to sign up for a specific campaign in advance. Once the specified date and time arrives, a single message is sent out from each person’s Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr account like a giant virtual flash mob. Apps like these are changing the way that filmmakers and studios market their films, and ensure that messages are being heard.
From content creation to distribution, networking, creating engagement and even social media campaigns, the main message at Silicon Beach Fest was that technology is improving and simplifying the entertainment industry. There are no more excuses – whether you’re in “The Industry” or not, if you want to make something, you can! Happy creating!