The Internet has been, and probably always will be, the great innovator of the modern era. Digital technology has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to the Internet, and there are few more areas touched by the online presence than entertainment. The Internet has had such a drastic effect on entertainment that its forms look much more different now.
Why is this happening? Availability is the biggest factor that has broadened the entertainment world in ways we never could have imagined. Not only does the Internet open the doorway to intermixing forms of entertainment, but it also opens to professionals the chance to showcase their talents to a much wider audience.
‘Entertainment’ used to be a phrase merely referencing the exposure of talents through television, radios, books, and theatres. There was much less exposure for small characters, and in order to get widespread exposure an independent artist must attract the attention of a renowned company.
The Internet proves this to be untrue. It has allowed small-time entertainers to generate content to massive audiences, whose level of quality is often commensurate to that of a dedicated studio.
“The internet expands our entertainment because it provides a larger range of device and locations than TVs,” Sanath Nagaraj ’16 notes. Web comics, online fiction, and Flash games, often come from the hands of amateurs – they just love to explore interesting subject areas that large studios would never touch.
There are also numerous free platforms for displaying these new works. The most prominent is YouTube, a giant video-streaming site that allows users to upload their work for viewing by anyone.
“Yeah, it’s more convenient [to watch shows] on a computer. At least you don’t have to wait for anything on TV,” Erin Weisgerber ’15 asserts. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr can then be used to spread the word without spending a cent.
Social marketing is now more important than ever. Passing a URL from one person to another only requires a click. Where once television shows might have been advertised through commercials, they may now have websites, social media pages, and online games to gather more eyes. Some dedicated advertising campaigns may even create storylines that span weeks of small hints before the release of the product.
The Internet is all about connections, and through these connections fans can speak to entertainment providers more openly. Constant communication also provides something any artist should crave: feedback. Internet users are vocal about their favorites and dislikes, and producers can use this information to re-evaluate their products to please their fans.
“Unlike TVs, which restrict to a certain group of audience, the internet provides a worldwide view for everyone. It also serves as a voice of our community and everyone in the world,” remarked Honors Biology teacher Ms. Stranz.
It is incredibly difficult to generalize the tone for the entertainment industry. The Internet has introduced a wackier tone to entertainment. It may be more accurate to say that the Internet has created a worldwide standard for entertainment. Creators from around the globe draw inspiration from one another in ways that were not necessarily possible in the past, opening the door for hybrid creations.
The Internet is entertainment. While the Internet may eventually crumble and be replaced by better digital constructs, the lessons it has taught will remain strong. Entertainment is now a social creation and an engagement between creators and fans, and it will continue to grow in the days ahead.