The unprecedented power of the Internet is threatening to bring down traditional barriers in the most closed industry in the world – the film industry.

The rules could well be changing in the film industry. Highly guarded personal connections and contacts could be fighting a losing battle with the speed and accessibility of vast online communities.

Suddenly the power in the game is shifting hands. As online film communities threaten to sweep control away from the traditional power holders, wise use of the new phenomenon can help movie-makers gain all the benefits of the internet. And whilst a multitude of new projects and talent can very quickly gain tremendous exposure, those same projects and talent can also serve as a valuable resource to sustain an industry that is undergoing rapid changes.

Smart players in the industry will understand that power lies in numbers: more options lead to more opportunities, which in turn lead to more choice and ultimately greater quality. With the masses now able to pick and choose their favourites, the established power machine is no longer needed to produce stars. The audience dictates the terms as it now decides and seeks new idols in the next generation of internet media. Perhaps those who are not listening are living dangerously?

An online global film platform called Studio Beyond is taking a leading role in this fresh industry trend. Studio Beyond has cleverly taken stock of what everyone in the industry needs and brought it all together in an online, virtual 'Movie City' with buildings that house producers, writers, composers, directors/editors, actors, TV, the press and those all-important industry executives. It even has its very own movie theatre with a voting system that offers movie makers an open dialog with the online audience by acting as a focus group, voting for its favouriteprojects, talent, etc.

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