How important is technological convergence for institutions and audiences within a media area you have studied?

Technological convergence is a relatively new concept in the world of film which has only become relevant in recent years. What is meant by technological convergence is the spread of media across different devices on which the film can be viewed on. For example, many years ago film could only be viewed in cinemas and then on television. However, nowadays film can be viewed across a number of media platforms such as on tablets and smart phones. This is a form of technical convergence is one that is carried out by a number of different film distributors.

It could be argued that technical convergence is extremely important for institutions and audiences within the film industry since people consume media differently compared to the golden age of hollywood. Nowadays going to the cinema is not seen as such an 'event'. People who are more tech savvy may prefer to watch movies on their tablets and smartphones in the comfort of their own home. This is true for most younger people who simply cannot find the time nor money to go to the cinema to view a film. Watching films on tablets and smartphones, although quite a while after the films initial release, can be a lot cheaper than going to the cinema to see the film. furthermore, people are able to watch films through online streaming services such as Netflix in their home, whilst being out and about or in fact anywhere with an internet connection which makes viewing films much more convenient to people who are regularly on the go. An example of how technical convergence has been used can be seeing the disney hit movie 'Frozen'. The way in which viewers are able to access the film is incredible. You are able to watch it on your tablet, on your laptop, on your phone, on your tv and every other conceivable piece of tech you could possibly get your hands on. This convergence of tech has allowed Frozen to target specific audiences of people and has contributed greatly to the success of the film. For instance, children as young as 3 or 4 are able to watch it through their child safe tablets without their parents even having to say they can. This endorse them to buy merchandise and other such accessories related to Frozen and immediately they are hooked! This is just one of the example of how media convergence has had and impact on the success of a movie.     

However, it could be said that technological convergence can be seen as a negative thing since there are a number of issues that arise due to this new format film distribution and consumption. For example, as film distribution companies start to use technological convergence, films become much more easier to clone and pirate. This is beaches films are suddenly on the internet which means people can hack into streaming services such as Netflix and steal/ pirate the movies. This means that the film company can lose out on money as people are able to watch it illegal online. In addition, although people would not have the restraints of a cinema, such as the fact that if they stream online they can pause the movie in any place they want to and are able to rewind it, they would not be getting the same experience as that at a movie theatre. The audience would miss out on the sound and picture capability of a cinema if viewing a movie at home or illegal online and if the internet is not the best, then films can lag and become quite an annoyance to watch in the end which creates the issue of quality.  

in conclusion, I believe that even though considering the risks that are associated with technological convergence of film, technological convergence is quintessential to the success of films that are produced nowadays. This is due to the fact that nowadays technology changes so much that it would be bizarre not to cater to the demands of modern day technological advancements such as the smartphone or the tablet since film companies would be missing out on something which they could make a lot of money out of. furthermore, distributing film in different ways other than film via the cinema are a lot cheaper to distribute. Even though this creates a security issue for the cinema and also the movie distributors, there has always been an issue of piracy which isn't going to dissolve no matter what you do. People still go into cinemas and record films and sell them, this is not due to the fact that they use film to distribute but more of an issue of people copywriting illegally. In addition, it is much easier for the film companies to distribute as nowadays films can be streamed which is a far cry from the amount of film needed for one movie at a cinema.