Jack-O-Lantern (10.2009) by Joseph Campanella
10.14.2009
THE DEATH OF THE PROFESSIONAL
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary lists many different entries for its definition of a professional. Certainly the most commonly associated meaning of the word would be:
"...an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain"
As a person who reads often about the craft of film, I've noticed more and more the lines blurring between professional critics and the dreaded "film bloggers." It doesn't seem long ago when the word "blogger" would bring about an intense shudder of hatred among those certified writers who guarded their place in the film industry like knights around a castle. Even some friends who I regard as forward thinkers laugh off the idea; "You're not a film critic, so why do I care what you have to say," they say.
With the democratization of media things are moving away from the old model and into a new age of conversation. It isn't so much, looking for somebody to tell you what they think anymore, but looking for someone to tell you what they think so you can tell them what you think right back.
"...an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain"
As a person who reads often about the craft of film, I've noticed more and more the lines blurring between professional critics and the dreaded "film bloggers." It doesn't seem long ago when the word "blogger" would bring about an intense shudder of hatred among those certified writers who guarded their place in the film industry like knights around a castle. Even some friends who I regard as forward thinkers laugh off the idea; "You're not a film critic, so why do I care what you have to say," they say.
With the democratization of media things are moving away from the old model and into a new age of conversation. It isn't so much, looking for somebody to tell you what they think anymore, but looking for someone to tell you what they think so you can tell them what you think right back.
This new model doesn't begin and end with criticism. It most certainly stretches out into the realms of content creation. It's become so much easier for a person to make a film, record an album or take a photograph, that the very idea of someone being considered a professional filmmaker, musician or photographer based purely on income is preposterous. When digital distribution finally takes hold in this country I think studios will begin to change the methods in which they pick and choose films.
I also think, finally, the old studio way will die. Hypothetically, one could shoot the film digitally, edit on a home PC. They could cut a trailer and, depending on the quality of the content and recognition of their name, get that trailer shown on various major websites, thus null and voiding TV spots, billboards and the like. Then, with the film being nothing more than a file, book theatres around the country with no need of making various film prints (which could set you back millions of dollars). This is of course until someone figures out how to successfully launch a campaign purely by Internet streams or Video on Demand. It's my guess that the landscape of film production will look vastly different in the next 20 years and I think it's just the kick in the pants that the industry needs.
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