"Monk Comes Out of the Mountain," 2015's biggest Internet-only title, copied the concept of "Monk Comes Down the Mountain" by Chen Kaige. (Photo : China Daily)
Theatrical releases are starting to become a thing of the past, thanks to the Internet. According to a report by China Daily, more and more production companies are opting to upload TV series and movies to Chinese video sites instead of screening their work to film exhibitors.
Uploading these media online has also allowed the companies to reach a wider audience.
Chinese film and TV production companies have to undergo several roadblocks before being able to show their work in movie theaters and other traditional media platforms. On the other hand, producing an Internet-only film is a process that is much less stressful and significantly more affordable.
One only needs between 500,000 yuan and 4 million yuan in order to make an Internet-only feature, according to Li Yansong, president of iQiyi Pictures. There is no need to craft elaborate sets, and filmmakers will be able to focus more on the actual story. An Internet-only feature can also go on for more than 60 minutes.
What makes it different from a microfilm, though?
Aside from the length and source of funding, Internet-only features are comparable to B-movies or direct-to-video releases. Horror titles are popular, and although they meet technical requirements often needed in theaters, Internet-only films also look "cheap."
Experts also note that Internet-only features are often rip-offs or heavily based on a well-known series. For example, "Monk Comes Out of the Mountain," 2015's biggest Internet-only title, copied the concept of "Monk Comes Down the Mountain" by Chen Kaige.
Zhang Tao, writer-director of "Monk Comes Out of the Mountain," told China Daily: "Internet-only features are built on the base of traditional genre movies. But you have to add more current elements. In a relatively freer environment, we've got to do something that others can."
