Filmmaker David Lynch bashes the idea of watching a movie on your cellphone in this segment from the Inland Empire limited edition DVD. Someone took the footage and added the music from Apple’s iPhone commercial in the background.
I once heard someone say the following theory (sorry, I don’t know who to attribute this to). The length of content can usually be determined by the space between the screen and the audiences. People sit 50 feet from the big screen in movie theaters, to watch 2-3 hour long films. Families sit 10 feet from the television to watch a half-hour to one-hour long television program. I sit two feet away from my computer screen to watch a short film or video podcast. And I hold my iPhone less than a foot from my eyes to watch small youtube clips.
There are many exceptions to this theory, but for the most part this is how mainstream people consume content. I’ve watched hour long television shows on my iPod when I had no other means, but I usually prefer listening to podcasts, music, or radio programs instead. So in that sense, I agree with Lynch. You can’t experience a film on an iPhone.
January 5th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I’m grateful for the advent of the video ipod, since it allowed me to purchase a 4th gen one for a discounted price, but I still don’t quite get the appeal of micro-movies. I don’t think many people are “experiencing” a movie for the first time on their iphones, but if that indeed becomes the industry standard, it will be a sad day.
January 5th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
the iPhone and iPod touch while nifty are not my first second of third choices to watch a film, I may watch a Television Show on an iPhone but never will it be my first choice to enjoy a movie. The Wide screen feature does make it a little better than a standard 4:3 iPod but its does convey everything in the film.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I mean, if you’re watching Wild at Heart for the seven hundredth time on a bus, then by all means…whip out the iPhone. but I DO however agree with the fact that film is a form of art, and should be viewed as a straight continuation. GET REAL. haha
January 7th, 2008 at 3:25 am
Watching films on your PSP is stupid too. People who buy UMDs are suckers!
January 7th, 2008 at 9:10 am
The appeal of it is that you can now watch movies easier in new areas like car rides, busses, trains, airplanes (if they are showing something bad). Previously you had to bring a lap top with you to do this and having it on your iphone is much more convenient than pruchasing one of thsoe portable dvd players designed for use in cars.
January 18th, 2008 at 5:00 am
It’s simple to understand. It’s an attention issue. Our eyes can’t stand staring at a small screen for a long time. One the other hand, it’s far less strain on my eyes to watch a movie on a big screen and more social besides, so I watch longer films there. Besides, I love the detail on a bigger screen.