Cinema has a future

One of the lines that stood out to me the most from the article is that “old media never dies.” As the Internet became more prevalent in our lives, there was growing concern about the future of print and newspapers. Yes, newspapers have gotten smaller both physically and in staff size, but they’re still around.

Despite the popularity of video rentals like Netflix and Redbox, and websites like Hulu and iTunes, I disagree that we’re approaching the end of cinema. Millions and billions of dollars are spent in this industry every year. While renting a movie through Redbox is undoubtedly cheaper then going to the movies, the experiences are not even comparable. Teens wanting a night away from parents, couples going on first dates, and fans simply wanting to enjoy the traditional movie-going experience of popcorn and a large screen will keep this industry alive.

This is also evident by the recent 3-D trend. The cinema industry has ways to stay new and fresh outside different story-lines. I predict movies will continue to become more engaging. I am reminded of a “ride” at Disney World. It’s a play on “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” called “Honey, I shrunk the Audience.” The video on screen is at a proportion that makes you feel miniscule. As mice run across the screen, air is blown around your ankles making you think the mice are really there. When a dog sneezes, you are sprayed and feel like you’ve been sneezed on. While it would be a big undertaking to updates all the theaters across the country, it would be an engaging experience. Cinema has not only a future, but plenty of interactive opportunities.