The world of film has become increasingly democratized with the advent of the Internet. People can create films and distribute them with ease. Unfortunately, posting a video to YouTube may generate hits, but it doesn’t necessarily generate bank deposits.
MoPix, of Los Angeles, CA this morning launched a new service that transforms films into digital assets that can be sold directly through outlets like iTunes, Google Play or through websites via widgets.
Consider this: Shoot a film. Edit it. Then upload it to MoPix where the service wraps the film in an app. Unlike traditional studio distribution deals, where, according to MoPix CEO Ryan Stoner, film makers often see as little as 10 or 15 percent of revenue, the MoPix model is a subscription, not an ongoing partnership. Once MoPix is paid for the digital encoding and app-lification of content, they are out of the picture so to speak. Film makers using the MoPix model can receive up to 100 percent of their revenue.
MoPix has been in a private beta, but as of August 13, 2012, they open their service anyone that wants to monetize their digital film efforts. This isn’t just for makers of independent theatrically oriented films, but those those trying to create the next exercise craze, cooking show or inspirational movement.
Alternative distribution channels already exist, such as Film Baby, a division of CD Baby. Film Baby helps get independent videos into retail channels. With today’s announcement, MoPix will be taking over the digital distribution effort for Film Baby. The Film Baby library will become available at MoPix starting in December.
MoPix is all about self-automation: Upload the video, along with other assets like scripts, photos and behind the scenes footage. Get an app back.
The MoPix service include a content management system, processing for output to multiple video formats including the Web, iOS and Android. Eventually they plan to support connected TVs and Facebook, along with other emerging platforms. The service receives content via Dropbox of the Amazon cloud, in what CEO Stoner calls a “cloud-to-cloud model.” MoPix supports social community building and provide rich analytics that help their customers understand who when their content is being watched, and by whom.
Because the submission process to places like iTunes can be a bit onerous, MoPix helps its customers navigate that path. They also offer distribution directly on their website so filmmakers don’t have to create their own distribution channels. They can worry about making good films and use MoPix to help those films find good homes with audiences who are willing to pay to appreciate them.
MoPix already has content up on the iTunes store with The Silver Goat, which is available for $5.99. Silver Goat is the first UK film to make its debut on the iPad.
As I sat watching the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony yesterday live via the web and an HDMI connection to my computer, I realized that the future of entertainments was almost here. We are on the verge of even the newest forms of digital delivery via satellite and cable being challenged by real-time feeds enveloped in a social environment that extends well beyond the individual couch or family room. With tools like MoPix, a new ecosystem for content distribution and revenue arrives, returning the idea of the studio to the days when filmmakers created and distributed their own assets, and reaped the benefit of their investment, or quickly learned what the public wanted to see.
Now we will have to watch, literally, as this story unfolds.
