The film industry has been enthralling and entertaining customers for many decades now and, according to research firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), that trend is only set to grow. According to the company’s forecasts, the worldwide filmed entertainment industry is likely to grow from USD$88.3 billion revenue in 2015, to a whopping USD$104.6 billion in 2019.
If you’re one of the billions of people who love to watch the latest and greatest films, you’re also sure to be interested in hearing about some of the coolest new movie-related business ideas that have hit the market in recent times.
From affordable streaming services giving customers access to new content from around the world, to clever mobile apps that allow film buffs to check out how movie locations look today, there are lots of fun, film-related businesses making a mark. Read on for three of the top concepts you should know about.
1. ScenePast
Have you ever wondered what classic film locations, like Marty McFly’s house from “Back to the Future” or the diner used in “Pulp Fiction,” look like today? ScenePast, an app that’s perfect for film fanatics, allows you to satiate your curiosity. The free iPhone app gives users the chance to “time travel” and see up-to-date images that show whether or not sets have changed over time.
The ScenePast: Movie & TV Time Travel app features more than 1,000 different spots from popular movies and television shows. It allows users to search for locations by zip code, year, or just whichever one may be nearby. The results then show pictures of the exact settings both as they were on screen, and how they are now. As well, if you’re feeling inspired to re-watch a show, you can even hit the “Watch Now” button on the app to download the movie or TV episode from iTunes straight away.
The app covers a variety of film and television genres, including classics (think “It’s a Wonderful Life”), musicals (such as “Fame”), romantic comedies (“Pretty Woman”), and action flicks (such as Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever”). The software’s database also includes many different film locations across America, such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami. There is even a map of the major cities so that you can visit the famous setting if you find yourself in the area.
If that’s not enough, you can also download the company’s other app, ScenePast: Americana Road Trip. This second application is also free to use, and features more than 600 postcards that get nostalgic with a “then and now” look at some of the most popular and memorable destinations in the United States.
The app covers landmarks, restaurants, roadside attractions, motels and other historical, architectural or pop-culture spots that are beloved in American culture. The Americana Road Trip app covers spots across the 50 U.S. states, and even allows users to email customized postcards to family members or friends, or to share favorite images on social media sites.
2. GetFlix.com.au
Streaming services are popular around the globe, but many new shows and movies have been hard to access in some areas due to online region-blocking. For Australian and New Zealand residents (as well as consumers in other parts of the world), a new online business, GetFlix.com.au, has opened up access to a huge array of content from overseas that had previously had been locked to international users.
The Australian-run company has its own DNS servers, and uses a virtual private network (VPN) to make geo-blocked networks, such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, think that content is being streamed from within the United States. Customers can then view services from a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and game consoles.
For the chance to watch the latest, and classic, television shows and movies being broadcast in the USA, United Kingdom, and other parts of the world, viewers need only pay GetFlix.com.au a flat, monthly rate. Pricing starts at just USD$3.95 per month with no lock-in contracts or, alternatively, there are also cheaper rates for three, six, or 12-month terms. Interested customers can also sign up for a free two-week trial to give the service a go without spending a dime.
3. Edible Cinema
If you’re looking for a unique movie-going experience, head to London and check out the Edible Cinema, where customers are encouraged to immerse themselves in film through “aroma, texture, and taste,” not just their eyes and ears.
At the cinema, patrons are provided with a great movie to watch plus a number of “mystery tasting boxes” to eat during the film. These goodies are designed to match particular moods and key moments in classic and new films.
For example, during a previous showing of romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally,” audiences were treated to a specially-designed Bombay Orgasm cocktail during the famous “I’ll have what she’s having” scene in the coffee shop.