I posted this about comics (both digital and print) , but many of the problems facing that media are applicable to movies and other longform entertainment. Here goes: 1. We now have Kickstarter and other funding sites. Great... 2. We also have many digital distribution options. Another leg in the media growth tripod is set. But... 3. We need advertising partners, or perhaps promotional partners to invest long-term in media development. Yes, product placement - but also just straight up "Brought to you by..." advertising. 4. We also need to rethink how a movie is structured, released, etc... We need a return to some traditions - and a complete hosing off of others. 5. Movies need to be consumer oriented - that is, they need to be in the consumer's hands any way the consumer wants when they want. (Part of the distribution equation that needs to be resolved and soon before it's too late).

One major issue that Hollywood is going to have going forward is that it cannot control the narrative of it's stars anymore. The real magic trick of the business is in the creation of celebrities and glamour. Edward J. Epstein noted that studios create audiences first and then sell them something. This is the formula with stars. Create a fan base - then sell that fan base something. Celebrity creation is as old as the business itself and the whole idea of "celebrity" is really coming into it's own these days. Andy Warhol was so right. Now is when he was talking about. Film needs stars. Stars are starting to come from anywhere and without the help of Hollywood. Couple that with the ability to produce extremely high quality entertainment for very cheap AND deliver it to audiences and you have a recipe for disaster for the old way. Someone will become a star on their own. Someone will make a movie with that star in it that everyone wants to see. That will catch on. It's anybodies game at that point. That's the future of film I think.