Mobile Phones May Become New Medium for Filmmakers

NEW YORK — According to a story in the New York Times, mobile device manufacturer Nokia and mainstream director Spike Lee are teaming up to produce a short film made from user-generated video content, shot entirely with their mobile phones.

"I like working with people who have talent but aren't in film school," Lee said in the article. “I’m interested because it's a great collaborative effort. Within five years, new movies will be made with devices like these."

The film will consist of three segments, each three to five minutes long. Creators can upload content, including video, music, photos and text, to NokiaProductions.com. Lee and his staff will edit them and other users will be able to combine their own materials with those posted on the site to create new content.

The theme of the film is “humanity,” and the contest is open only to residents of the U.S.

Three posted entries will be chosen by online voting. The winning entries will be combined to make the final version of the short film.

The film will be screened in Los Angeles in the fall, as well as be available for viewing online. Nokia has not yet contracted with a carrier to make the content available on mobile devices.

Although it remains unclear whether racy or explicit content would be eligible for the contest, such content is likely to be eliminated in the contest’s screening process.

However, the implications of user-generated content shot on mobile devices for adult-oriented applications are far reaching, especially as mobile devices evolve into multiuse platforms for music, photos and video.

"The notion of social networking and entertainment is real," Nokia Vice President for North America Craig Coffey said.

Last year, Finland-based Nokia took a survey of 9,000 consumers, which indicated that by 2012 one in four consumers would create, edit, or share entertainment with other through alternative media outlets, instead of accessing traditional outlets like TV or movies.

Several contests and film festivals have been held, internationally, that feature films created specifically for mobile devices, as well as content created with cell phones.

In late 2006, Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute and the global trade organization GSM Association commissioned six Sundance Film Festival participants, to create six short films for distribution specifically on mobile devices.

The commissioned filmmakers included Academy Award nominated Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, whose mobile film “A Slip in Time,” was a study of slapstick comedy.

"This is a new medium with a lot of challenges that we are all just beginning to explore," Dayton said at the time. "But what is exciting is that you have a couple more billion screens to show your movie."

"Seven billion dollars was spent [in 2006] on ringtones," GSM Association Chief Marketing Executive Bill Gajda said. "And if people can pay $7 billion for ringtones, I think there is a market to expand the mobile video market."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Penny Barber Leads Latest From MYLF

Reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber stars with Ken Feels in the latest release from MYLF, titled "50 Shades of Milf."

Yhivi Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Yhivi stars with Alex Jones in the latest Brazzers scene, “Yhivi By Alex.”

Cherry Kiss Leads Latest From Hentaied Network

Cherry Kiss stars in the latest crossover scene from Hentaied studios Futanari XXX and Parasited, titled “The Futa Parasite Part 2.”

Rachael Cavalli Stars in Latest 'Mommy's Boy' From Adult Time

Rachael Cavalli stars with Tyler Cruise in the latest episode of Adult Time series “Mommy’s Boy,” titled “Can’t Stop Thinking About It.”

Stalwart Defender: Jeffrey Douglas on 30 Years Fighting for Free Expression

“If you had told me in 1995 that I would be on the FSC board for 30 years, I would have laughed out loud,” says Jeffrey Douglas.

Hazel Paige, Jena LaRose Topline 'Deep Lesbian Desires'

Hazel Paige and Jena LaRose headline “Deep Lesbian Desires” from Girlfriends Films.

Leana Lovings Stars in Latest Release From Vampired

Leana Lovings stars alongside Rikako in the latest release from Vampired, titled "The Hostess 1992."

Tiffany Blue, Kaira Love Front Latest From Immoral Productions

Tiffany Blue and Kaira Love star in a new trilogy from Immoral Productions, alongside Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and studio honcho “Porno Dan” Leal.

Tiffani Time Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Newly crowned XMA Creator Awards Rising Clip Creator Tiffani Time stars with her husband Benfit and Jax Slayher in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Karmen Karma Stars in Latest From Ricky's Room

Karmen Karma stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "A Long Time Cumming."

Show More