I am not 100% sure how this will connect with my research but I have something on my mind and I need to write about it.
On the weekend I was watching "John Berger. Ways of seeing" presented as resource on another subject. I was blown away by how he brings the topic "ways of seeing" into discussion. He mentions how the meaning of paintings can change according to where they are, when they are, and especially on who is seeing it. He mentions things like "we see them in the context of our own life" and "everything around the painting is part of its meaning".
Then, a few hours later, I watched a movie literally ONE day after it was released in the cinemas. I watched it at home, from Disney +. You know I am a big fan of cinema, but I am also a big fan of comics and superheroes. So, going to the cinema to watch a new superhero movie is a rule.
(and John, just so you know, I love Batman but Marvel is better than DC. 🤓 haha)
Everything is part of the process... the waiting, buying the pre-sale tickets, getting ready, getting popcorn and lollies, sitting down on a nice comfortable cinema chair.. and watching the magic happen on the big screen... this is all part of the experience for me. But yesterday, when watching Black Widow, I had a totally different experience, and not for good. I didn't enjoy it as much because I was at home and there was no preparation besides my microwave popcorn...
Then, remember something else... most people get surprised with this, but Iron Maiden, the english heavy metal band with the scary mascot named Eddie, is my favourite band. I've seen their concert 3 times in Brazil. Always in the middle of crazy fans, standing, and always with my brother and other friends that are crazier than me about the band. I hate crowded places, but I absolutely love the experience of a crowd rock concert. It's crazy, but I do. The experience goes beyond what the band is singing, it is also how the fans around me react. (and in Brazil, fans are REALLY passionate). Then I went to an Iron concert here in Australia, in the old Qudos bank arena. I didn't need to get there 5 hours earlier because we had marked seats. I didn't have to run like an idiot to get a good position close to the stage. I didn't get to feel the energy of crazy Latin American fans.. therefore, I didn't get the feeling I was expecting to have. There was much less excitement but also much more appreciation (I was seated for the first time so I could really pay attention to the music and how the band performed on a different level).
And now you're thinking.. Ok so how does this all connect?
(ps. the gif below is a really famous Brazilian fictional character that went viral across the world. we're really proud of her! 😂)
Well. It is simple.
I had totally different experiences from similar events just because of the context I was in.
And if that's so.. how big will be the impact of this new streaming era on filmmaking?
As for me, I will keep going to the cinema while I can. ( and while COVID allows.)
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