Aweb film is a film made with the medium of the Internet and its distribution constraints in mind.[1] This term aims to differentiate content made for the Internet from content made for other media, such as cinema or television, that has been converted into a World Wide Web-compatible format. Web films are a form of new media.
There are broadly three forms of films that can be encountered on the Internet:
Form
Description
Defining Features
Example
Traditional promotion
A digitised version of films shot with the same production methods and technology used for TV/Cinema.
Often 35mm or high definition digital footage. (Usually highly compressed when on web.)
Cinema trailers online, for example the trailer for Lord of the Rings.[2]
Films not made for, but distributed via the Internet
A film taking advantage of the Internet for distribution.
Often large files and/or designed to be downloaded not streamed.
The short film 405 The Movie or releases in file sharing communities.[3]
Web films
Films made with the medium of the Internet and its constraints in mind.
Made in harmony with Internet & computer technologies such as streaming or Flash or After Effects.
The short film Distance Over Time.[4]
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