Is On-Screen text messaging the future of your movie-going experience?
Everyone hates when someone’s phone rings during a movie but, in China things are changing. According to The Hollywood Reporter, some theaters in China are testing with “bullet screens,” which allow for audience members to send their comments about the film to be projected on the screen, for a more interactive movie experience.
The inspiration behind the idea appears to be that it mimics that of watching a movie on mobile media, which is how most Chinese people watch films, with people sending messages about what they like or dislike about the movie.
In a censored environment like China, precautions are taken to remove sensitive or forbidden words.
There are several Chinese movie websites, based on a Japanese idea of bullet screens, where viewers can spend their whole time making remarks on the film via SMS. [THR]
The Hollywood Reporter recently spoke with a manager of a theater in Shandong Province on a recent 3D movie. “People like it right now, as it’s a new thing. In the long term, it might affect people’s concentration. We are trying to continue with some bullet screen activities and play some films that young people like. Time will tell.”
Will this become the future of the movies? People will be able to text their opinions of a movie onto the screen so the entire audience can see.
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