Filmmakers flock to the Net

CNet: Why not try the Web? "Schwarze is among a growing number of filmmakers and animators who once concentrated on feature-length films but are now telling much shorter stories on the Web. Insiders say that a mass migration of storytelling talent could someday put the Internet in a position to compete with television and theaters for the public's entertainment dollars.

hough the technology is far superior now, and more people are watching, Reitman has his doubts about whether individual filmmakers can generate big revenue online.

He said the problem is that even short films cost money. He also noted that Hollywood has an established revenue model for one simple reason: That model works. What the rise of Internet video actually does present, he said, is an unprecedented opportunity for talented people to display that talent.

Now we know the next Spielberg is going to upload his movie to the Web, and it's going to be e-mailed around the world, and all of a sudden this kid will have a household name. It's very exciting." If there's a will, there's a way, I say. The Internet basically expanded our lines of communications and offers more creative freedom and experiments without too many hassles. The only missing part is the business model to sustain that freedom and experiements into people's careers. However, entertainment industry in general is very fickle and when you have abundant free content on the web as it is today, it will be hard to ask for money unless you're a part of Hollywood or established entertainment industry, enforcing business pratices to cough up money from distributors, and ultimately the audience.