Back 2 The Future: of Entertainment

As I'm sure everyone is completely aware of by now, as it is a generally accepted concept in many industries - the Entertainment Industry is no different in the way that they go through "cycles."  Things come in, trends, stories, genres, they get built up - people love them, but before you know it - it's on to the next "big thing." 

Perhaps the most interesting thing I find about some of the more recent trends is that they are obsolescing back to earlier times - BUT, they are doing it in a new way - does this mean that it will be more successful this time around?  Can Hollywood roll with the proverbial "punches?"  This seems to be the question on everyone's mind as the film industry has gone through many changes in the last 3-5 years.  With the rise of the independent film, as well as the introduction of web media and streaming digital media online, a large portion of the industry is left scratching their heads and wondering how their job will last through this period of change.  I think perhaps it begs the question as well, of how can we make ourselves more malleable, how can we be adaptable - even hybrid?

I think one of the best examples is 3D technology.  While in theory, it is similar to the 3D trend of yore, and many people are quick to write it off as a fad and something that will quickly come and go.  However, with the new technologies, not to mention the wide availability of 3D capable devices - how can we be so sure? HTC just put out the first 3D phone, how can we ignore that? There are already "glasses-less" 3D Televisions.  I think perhaps the most important part is stripping all of these seemingly novel things away and getting back to (at least what I consider) the most important part of filmmaking: visual storytelling.  At the end of the day, we want to be entertained and feel connected to what we are watching, and while many think that the 3D trend is just something else to get "ooohs" and "aahhhs" out of viewers, it has the potential to be much more if we can just use it correctly.  End of the day, take away the special effects, the 3D, and you're left with characters, with something to say, and a story.  I say, lets work on being better storytellers.