Small, short films watched alone
In the early days of film, the days of the Kinetoscope (1891-1900), films were very short — about 20 seconds or so — due to the limitations of the technology. Most of them were on the order of “spectacles”, that is, they showed strange and curious events, funny short gags, famous folks doing one-time “newsy” things. For a short time, Kinetoscope parlors were the only place to see films in any form.
 A Kinetoscope |
 A Kinetoscope Parlor |
One of the most astounding things for us at this point of history is that watching films for these early viewers was a completely solitary act. The viewer stared into a small stereoscopic eyepiece and watched the short film with no one to share what she or he was seeing. Serially, people could watch the film, then share what they thought afterward — but the viewing experience was always alone.
How films were originally viewed: alone. 
In some ways this parallels what is happening right now with YouTube and other screening experiences oriented toward the single viewer. The very small screen of mobile phones, computer multimedia players, iPods, etc., is returning us back to the days of the Kinetoscopic experience: small, short films watched alone.
| Sir Ridley Scott, the accomplished director of contemporary classics such as Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Gladiator, etc., sees this as a very serious problem. |  |
On a recent panel at the Venice Film Festival he went so far as to say this turn of events is “ruining film.” In particular he says
We try to do films which are in support of cinema, in a large room with good sound and a big picture. But we’re fighting technology … While it has been wonderful in many aspects, it also has some big negative downsides.
Is the age of the feature film coming to a close due to changing technologies and the associated changes in viewer’s habits and expectations? Feature films haven’t always been around and perhaps their time is almost over. Will gadget technology which allows people to watch films on mobile phones and computer screens kill cinema? Sir Ridley fears that it may already be happening.
What do you think? 
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