Movie-Watching Trends to Look Out For

Beanbag
Beanbag
Aug 22, 2017 · 4 min read

Movie watching in 2017 was at an interesting point. With the rise of online streaming platforms, and question marks surrounding the future of how streaming and cinemas will coexist within the theatrical release window, we wonder what’s in store for us in the years ahead.

Let’s take a look at some trends that may give us an insight in where we’re headed.

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Augmented reality company Magic Leap seek to create an AR world, viewable through goggles. A 7-year-old startup that’s raised more than $1 billion in its quest to make a next-generation portable augmented reality (AR) device: a head-mounted system that projects images onto the user’s retina, rendering computer-generated images that seem to exist within your real-world field of vision.

They have investors from Warner Bros and Lucasfilm. There seems to be some uncertainty about when this will be available, but seems pretty exciting nonetheless!

Magic Leap’s demo example — Courtesy of Magic Leap
Magic Leap have teamed up with Lucas Film. Could we watch this in our living room? — Courtesy of Magic Leap

Alternatively, VR headsets can completely replace your living room TV. No matter where you happen to be, the headset and your phone may become your go-to entertainment system.

Watching a movie in VR is like having your own personal theatre, using the full range of your vision. VR provides the ideal viewing environment, but perhaps the real benefit is being removed from external distractions (e.g. not being able to reach for your phone every minute).

Future Movie Theatres

The likes of VR and AR seem more suited to the home environment. The demand for shorter theatrical release windows is increasing, and busier lifestyles will demand an increase in convenience. Travel costs are going up and TVs and media devices are getting better and better.

So, in the future, theatres will have to step up their game and give you an experience that they cannot truly get at home. One way to deliver an experience is through sheer size. Last year, IMAX, whose screens and domes dwarf even the largest home theater, announced that it grew its Western European market by 43 percent in two years.

With the development of flexible screens and sensory technology, you may be able to connect to the movie and experience the story as a participant. Orbi, a cinema-based experiment launched in Yokohama, Japan, provides audiences a taste of tomorrow. Visitors are able to explore a real and projected world through sight, sound, smell and touch, delivering a “a complete illusion of being part of a film.” (Business Journalism)

Courtesy of Digital Trends

Video on Demand (VOD) and Marketing

If there are no movie showing at the cinema that you want to see, it is often followed by a general, calm “oh well” statement, knowing that there are movies out there that you often not interested in. But — the most common comment I see, and get, from people about VOD is that there is nothing to watch on Foxtel, Netflix and the like. On a virtual video library, it is expected that there is a show or movie you would want to see at any particular time, but often there isn’t. Frustrating!

With the theatrical release window shrinking, it is likely that an online service will be able to provide home access to new release movies. Studies show that people download free pirated content because they cannot pay, or don’t have access to those movies at home. Providing access online is one sure-fire way to tackle this issue in the future, whilst being more obliging to the wishes of the customer.

Combine this access with VOD with VR/AR headset, and you could take your TV with you wherever you go. You just need an App for Android or iOS and boom. Your TV is with you. Your fear of missing out on the latest highly anticipated movie will be gone, and the experience will be as good as it possibly can be.

With new algorithms and “AI”, the streaming service will know what shows you like, based on your viewing habits. Personally, I see flaws in this, as what “types” of shows you like, and the actual shows that you enjoy can be wildly different, although I expect this will improve in the future.

I wouldn’t be averse to receiving an email every now and then telling me what new movie is coming that seems suited for me, if it was often right.

The future

The future looks exciting, whether you prefer home streaming with AR/VR and having access to whatever movie you like, whenever and wherever you want and being fully immersed in your viewing experience, or whether you would prefer to big in a big room with a massive screen and sensory overload.

Personally, I think there is room for both in my life, as long as we have the option.

To learn more and receive our updates and announcements, subscribe to our monthly newsletter at BeanbagEntertainment.com.


Originally published at BeanbagEntertainment.com on August 22, 2017.

beanbagentertainment

Thoughts, stories and ideas on streaming movies while they are showing in cinemas

)

Beanbag

Written by

Beanbag

Bringing cinema movies into your home, legally! #Beanbag http://BeanbagEntertainment.com

beanbagentertainment

Thoughts, stories and ideas on streaming movies while they are showing in cinemas

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade