Charlie Bowkett asks whether social media is ruining the release of films and TV programs
Ah social media, it's pretty great most of the time. The web is a place where anyone can share their opinions with the rest of the world, and for the most part I don't have a problem with it. That is until some random person decided to tweet that Han Solo dies, or updates his Facebook with the latest Game of Thrones spoiler.
People should be allowed to express their opinions, but when it affects our enjoyment of a film and TV show, then I object. Our daily lives revolve so much around social media, that it is close to impossible to avoid spoilers. Not only do they spoil the experience of media, spoilers can lead to further problems. After reading or seeing a spoiler, viewers say that they are less likely to watch a film which has been spoiled for them. This can result in less income for film studios to develop and create content. Quality can be threatened too. I know that may sound a little extreme, but it is a real possibility.
It is not just spoilers. Social media means that people can express their disgust with a film and media, before release. Now unless you have been living in cave for the past few mouths, you will know that movie audiences rejected and slated the new Ghostbusters film. Which is fine. However, hardly anyone saw it before making a judgement.
Ghostbusters (2016) is a prime example about how social media can affect and alter people's opinions. Just look at the comments section of the first trailer on YouTube. The deluge of negative comments on this film encouraged others to declare it a rotten tomato simply to fit in. I've even seen people be pillored for saying that Ghostbusters was funny rather than joining the consensus of stink.
It wasn't a bad movie. Ghostbusters had a few bad jokes and cringey scenes, but it perfectly watchable. I wonder to myself if that there was no social media, would people be so disparaging about this female-led film. I don't think so. Heck I know so.
Social media is a great way for studios to advertise their new release, but sometimes advertising can be intrusive. The Amazing Spider-man 2 and Terminator Genysis are the biggest offenders in recent years. What these two films have in common is the overuse of short teaser trailers online on websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram showing a little more of the film each time. This means that lots of key plot points are often released, making the film very predictable and uninteresting.
So is social media ruining the Film and TV industry? In a way, yes. However, there is no stopping people giving their opinion on line. I feel people should be more considerate before pressing that post button. Spoilers are not big or clever and ruin our experience of film and TV.