The internet is a bottomless pit of content. Yes, the "C" word: Content. (See Patrick H. Willems great video "Everything is Content Now.") But from hypnotic cat videos to meticulously crafted documentaries, the sheer volume of moving images bombarding us daily is staggering. According to the YouTube official blog, 500+ hours of content is uploaded every minute. To add to that dizzying statistic, 16,000 videos are posted every minute on TikTok (UseSignHouse.com), 95 million photos and videos are shared on Instagram every day (WordStream.com) and more than 100 million hours of video is watched on Facebook every day (Truelist.co). But here's the thing: is all this scrolling actually making us, the consumers of content, more film literate, or are we simply becoming connoisseurs of the perfectly timed trip clip? And why should we, the caretakers of The Cineverse, care?
The now ubiquitous media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have democratized filmmaking like never before. Great for storytellers, right? Anyone with a smartphone and a shred of creativity can become a micro-auteur, churning out bite-sized stories and showcasing their unique style. Wouldn't it be great if when viewers watch our carefully crafted works they can appreciate all that we've painstakingly put on their plate--the nuance of a soulful performance or the poetry of camera movement? In short, wouldn't it be freakin' awesome if our work was appreciated!
This explosion of content exposes viewers to a kaleidoscope of techniques, narratives, and storytellers – a film education by fire hose. So, maybe social media is our secret weapon that will turn the average consumer into a film aficionado, dissecting camera angles, edits, and symbolism like seasoned cinephiles swishing the latest Mr. Beast upload across their gums like a fine wine. We in The Cineverse can hope. And there's a strong argument to be made that social media can be a breeding ground for film literacy.
Here's why:
Diversity Buffet: Social media platforms are a global smorgasbord of filmmaking styles. Forget Hollywood blockbusters – viewers can encounter whimsical stop-motion animations from Eastern Europe next to gritty social commentaries from South America, although said viewer may have to swipe, swipe, swipe to get to them (more on that later). This exposure to diverse voices and storytelling methods broadens one's media diet in a way traditional media never has.
Bite-Sized Learning: Short-form video content, like the kind that thrives on TikTok and Instagram Reels, can act as a gateway drug to film literacy. Creative transitions, innovative editing techniques, and captivating narratives can pique one's curiosity, making them want to delve deeper into the "how" behind the magic. Think of it as film school in bite-sized chunks – perfect for attention spans shorter than Dory's.
Interactive Communities: Social media platforms aren't just passive viewing experiences. Online communities dedicated to film analysis and discussion allow viewers to dissect content, share knowledge, and learn from each other. Imagine film school study groups, but more accessible than ever.
However, while social media has the potential to be a film literacy goldmine, it's not without its challenges. Here's the flip side of the coin:
Fast-Paced Consumption: The fire hose of content can be overwhelming. Scrolling endlessly through short-form videos might not encourage close analysis. The constant barrage often prioritizes the dopamine rush of a funny cat video over dissecting the masterful use of lighting in a meticulously crafted short film from Dust.
The Siren Song of Virality: Let's point out the obvious, most social media algorithms prioritize entertainment value over artistic merit. Viral trends often rely on quick cuts, flashy effects, and the lowest common denominator whether it be humor, rage, fear, or tragedy. The content the general public consumes doesn't always provide the strongest foundation for understanding complex narratives or techniques.
Algorithmic Echo Chambers: Remember that diversity buffet I mentioned earlier? Social media algorithms are notorious for creating echo chambers, where users are primarily exposed to content that aligns with their existing preferences. This limits their exposure to diverse styles and hinders the development of a well-rounded media diet, not to mention what may be starvation from anything resembling a well-crafted story. In other words, you don't know what you don't know, and if a habitual scroller is to venture into novel territory, they first have to understand that there's territory outside their own curated realm and have a desire to walk in that direction. Imagine a film school where you only ever take classes on babies cooing, or cats sticking their head under the faucet (guilty pleasure #543) – not exactly a recipe for well-rounded cinephilia.
The truth, as with most things in life, lies somewhere in the middle. Social media can be a powerful tool for developing film literacy, but it's not a silver bullet. One must already be inclined to seek deeper understanding of film technique to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available.
So what can we in The Cineverse do?
Actively seeking out diverse content, engaging with film communities, and approaching videos with a critical eye can all contribute to a deeper understanding of film language. So, I think that we as filmmakers need to encourage others to take advantage of the plethora of media at their fingertips. "Hey, I know you really like cat videos, but I just shared Tale Foundry with you!" Or, "I just binged a bunch of videos from InCamera. You love watching BTS stuff! You should check it out!" Or something along those lines.
For the broader world of social media consumers to demand more thoughtful content, they first need to know what more thoughtful content feels like and how to engage with it. We need a little Film Appreciation 101. It starts with us, the artisans of thoughtful media. We need to spread the word to one cat-video-loving friend at a time. So what do you think? How would you preach the gospel?
Comments